Traveling with your family is the best thing you don't ever want to do more than once a year. You laugh, you cry, you fight, you make fun of each other, but when it is all said and done you are so glad you went. However, If you are a "kid" above the age of 12 and think you are the best thing that has happened since sliced bread, you probably despise family vacations. You are stuck with your parents and siblings for a week straight without leaving each others sides. It can be really fun, or it can be super annoying. Below are a few tips to make the best of a vacation with the family.
1. Airbnb vs. Hotel
For those that are not familiar, Airbnb is a website that aids in finding vacation homes for people to rent. These homes are listed by owners that may be renting out their home while they are gone, a spare room, their basement or just a place they may just own. For those that feel that everyone needs space every now and then on vacation, which is everyone, Airbnb is the way to go! You aren’t stuck in a stinky hotel room where everyone is on top of each other the entire time.
2. Individual Activities
Find things to do individually or in pairs! Mom goes with her daughter for a little hike while brother and dad go and get a snack at a cool restaurant. There are plenty of things to do on any vacation that do not have to include everyone. Split up to do activities so you aren’t always stuck together!
3. Ear Buds.
Pack them. Make sure you do not forget them. They are the only thing that can save you. “They” being your ear buds. You can plug those little guys into your ears and escape your family’s argument about what direction to go in.
4. Comfortable Shoes.
Almost every single family vacation involves walking, A LOT. Pack very comfortable shoes to urban hike in. For those that aren’t familiar with the term urban hike, it’s that three mile “walk” your mom makes you go on around every city you visit. You will be so thankful you packed those ugly mom tennis shoes during those times.
5. Ditch the Parents Every Now and Then.
When you’ve actually had enough of your mom and dad, which is day two for most, grab your sibling/siblings and leave! Go find a great ice cream place down the block and go Pokémon hunting.
6.The experiences that seem awful at the time are always the most memorable and laughable.
That one time you spilt soda on your pants in the restaurant and it looked like you peed yourself was not funny. It was actually incredibly embarrassing, and your family loved every second of it. Now looking back, your family was right to laugh. It was hilarious and didn’t totally ruin your trip.
7. Every Trip is About Making Memories.
The family vacation, though filled with fights about the color of someone’s shoe laces and your sister’s singing, was also filled with memories. These memories are what you’re going to have long after the annoyance fades. Just always keep in mind, they are your family and you love them, most of the time.
