Family vacations can be a significant source of stress for parents. Fears of flight delays, rainy days stuck inside hotel rooms, and backseat breakdowns can make any parent hesitant about their next trip. But believe it or not, you can have just as much fun on your family adventure as your little ones — all it takes is a little careful planning. Here are some great ways to keep your family travels stress-free and enjoyable for both you and your kids.
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Prepare Your Home
Whether you’re going away for a weekend or a couple of weeks, take steps to prepare your home before you leave. If you haven’t already, this is the perfect time to install a home security system. The good news is that you’re no longer limited to a hardwired system that takes time and money to install. Smart equipment like video doorbells and security cameras can be easily set up and allows you to monitor your home even when you’re far away. A good system will protect your home from theft and vandalism, so it’s a worthwhile investment!
Some other things you can do to prepare your house for your absence include taking out the trash, cleaning the refrigerator, and turning down your thermostat. Fix.com also recommends turning off the water valves connected to your dishwasher, washing machine, and sinks to prevent expensive flooding disasters while you’re away. Knowing that your home is clean, safe, and secure will give you one less thing to worry about on your trip.
Keep the Kids Entertained
Long road trips can be a lot of fun, but they can also make for some impatient children. However, you can keep your kids entertained by bringing along plenty of toys and activities, such as window markers and sticker books. There are also plenty of fun road trip games that parents can get involved in too. You may even want to equip your car with a WiFi hotspot so your kids can watch their favorite shows and play online games during those long stretches of open highway. Purchasing in-car WiFi is an excellent way to keep your kids occupied on their tablets and other wireless devices.
Plan for Downtime
According to WestCoast families, one of the most common family travel mistakes is trying to fit too much into one trip. While it can be tempting to fill your trip with all kinds of fun and exciting activities, try your best to take it easy. Your kids will get worn out from too many back-to-back days packed with adventure, and to be honest, so will you! There are a lot of great ways to fill your downtime. Have your kids pack their favorite books, explore your hotel, enjoy a picnic in the park, or take a whole day off to relax at the beach. Remember the purpose of your trip! You and your kids shouldn’t return home from your travels in need of a vacation.
Maintain Your Wellness Routine
As a parent, your number one defense against stress is self-care. Travel is hard on the body, which can affect both how you feel on the inside as well as how you look on the outside, so try to maintain your regular wellness routine throughout your trip. Find ways to exercise, prioritize sleep, and seek out healthy meals. Climate and dietary changes can result in skin conditions like eczema, dryness, and acne. Bring along some nourishing beauty products made with clean ingredients that will soothe and support irritated travel skin. You deserve a little pampering — this is your vacation too!
Your next family vacation doesn’t have to be stressful. Slow down, bring along plenty of entertainment, and pay attention to your own needs in addition to those of your children. Take the time to plan ahead and you’ll enjoy some peace of mind wherever your adventure takes you.