Even though we are pretending to be adults living on our own in college, most of us are still expected to tag along on family vacations, or shall I say, we are 'privileged' to attend. Some of us may be excited for these trips because our parents plan fun things, but others may be less fortunate. Whether it's a fun venture to Hawaii or a torturous RV trip to see the world's largest ball of yarn, you will be forced to spend hours on end in close proximity to your family members. In fact, your only personal time could be trips to the bathroom (where you can still hear your siblings and parents bickering). Sounds fun, right?
Recently, I spent two weeks road-tripping up the coast of California with my brother and parents. We did and saw some pretty amazing things, but there was also a lot of driving and hassle involved. I had to sleep in the same bed as my brother for two weeks straight - that was pretty tortuous. We had some pretty good times despite having to move to a new hotel almost every day and dealing with the inconveniences of consistent traveling.
Surprisingly, by the end of the trip, there had been no causalities. I decided that this was a miracle and that I had to share my knowledge. Here are a few tips to avoid the potential murder of a family member while on your family vacations this year:
Start with zero expectations.
It's fun to get excited about your vacations, but try to keep it calm and cool before you go. This especially goes for vacations you're not totally jazzed about. You never know what could happen on a trip! That venture to Hawaii could turn out different from what you expected. That RV trip could be one of the best weeks of your life. If you go into it without a perceived idea of what it's going to be like, you are more likely to be happy with whatever happens.
Stop being embarrassed.
When we were young pre-teens and even teens, the slightest fart from our father could send us into a whirlwind of attitude and embarrassment. This, at least, used to be me, especially on family vacations. I would never have a good time because I was too focused on how the stupid things my parents did affect me. But now that I'm older, it's a completely different story. My brother and I now use my parents as the best form of entertainment. We were constantly laughing at all the crazy things our parents did. It made the trip entirely different than those of the past.
Be crazy with your family.
Not only was it easier to just laugh at the stuff my parents did to embarrass me, but it was even easier to just join in on the craziness. What the heck! You will most likely never see the people around you again, so go ahead, be silly with them. Race your family down the street on those Segways, helmets flying in the wind! Take a selfie with your dad and Seal! Vacations are meant to be a getaway, so leave behind all those stupid insecurities.
Know when you need to back off.
We can't all be perfectly happy all the time, no matter how hard we try. Sometimes you can't help but get a little annoyed by some things. Know when you are about to burst, then take a step back. Sometimes just taking a walk alone and getting away from your family for a little bit can help alleviate dangerously high tensions.
Voice your opinion.
Most likely, your parents were the ones who planned your vacation, but I am sure they wouldn't mind a little input. If you have certain ideas of things you want to do, then tell them! That way the vacation becomes more of your own and everyone gets to do something that they're interested in; you're not just being dragged along.
Participate in everything.
You probably aren't ecstatic about everything that is planned on your trip, but that doesn't mean that you should sit out. It's always great to try new things. Who knows, you might even end up liking it a lot. And even if you were right about that boat trip or horseback ride not being for you, I'm sure it will bring an excellent story for you to share with your friends when you get home.
Make the most of your family trips and have fun. After all, the day when you no longer get an invite is coming fast. Your parents will be quick to leave you behind. Enjoy the pre-planned, pre-paid trips while they last!
