Vacation with Kids

Yes, you can vacation with kids and have fun...just plan a kid friendly vacation!

Some people may think that a vacation with kids sounds like a lot of work. And while it's true that when you're taking your family along for a trip, it helps to do a bit of advance planning, a vacation with your children is also a great way to create lifelong bonds and memories as a family.

I'm over 40 and yet my parents and I still laugh about the fun and mishaps we've had on vacations while I was growing up. Just the mention of "Muggins!" or "Remember the horrible Thanksgiving dinner we had at Shasta Lake?" brings out the stories.

Now, my kids remember the javalina (wild pig) that wandered through the front yard of our Sedona vacation rental one morning, the bike ride they took with their dad near Banff years ago, or the time our then-three year old packed his suitcase with stuffed animals instead of clothes...a fact only discovered upon our arrival in San Francisco.

Even the lousy times can become fond memories, shared moments for you and your family to enjoy for years to come. Because let me tell you, running to the nearest clothing store to buy a week's worth of new clothes for my toddler was not my idea of a vacation. Now, though, it's just one more funny family story we tell. That's what makes a vacation with kids so cool!

Before you leave for your trip, though, here are a few tips to help your family get in the right mindset. It sounds contradictory but my advice is to plan well...and then relax and roll with it when it all goes haywire. Because it will all go completely haywire.

Tips for Planning a Vacation with Kids

• If your destination is open, let the kids chime in with ideas on where they would like to go and what they would like to do. Consider offering a few vacation ideas, then get their input from there. As parents, we know that children like feeling that they have some say, whether it's what they wear to school or what's for dinner. Helping in the decision-making process makes kids feel important and planning a family vacation together is no different. Try and get everyone involved in some way so all the children feel part of the planning process.
• Look for kid-friendly hotels or vacation rentals. Kids love pools and video games, for example, so seek out accommodations that provide amenities children will love. Find more suggestions about what to look for in kid-friendly hotels. I often look for timeshare condos or vacation rentals for our holidays. The accommodations are much roomier than hotel rooms and give everyone space when they need it. All-inclusive family resorts are a great option too, as many of them provide activities to do as a family or kids-only while adults grab much-needed grown-up time.
• If your kids' ages vary widely (as mine do), consider engaging in some activities separately. Let Dad take the teen surfing while Mom plays in the sand with the younger ones. The goal of a vacation with kids is family togetherness, of course, but it's okay for everyone to do a bit of their own thing, too.
• Don't feel pressured to go go go! constantly while on vacation. Everyone needs to rest, even older kids. And traveling with children can be exhausting for parents, so factor a quiet period into each day. We often head to the pool for a half hour, then have rest time before going out to dinner, for example. It's okay to unwind!

The point of a vacation with kids is to have fun and engage with your children. Encourage everyone to participate in the planning, choose kid-friendly destinations, RELAX and I promise you and your family will create memories you'll enjoy for years to come!

What to pack for vacation helps you decide what to pack for your family's trip.

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