Holidays with the family are often the highlight of the year and, occasionally, the most stressful. With lists to complete, sympathy to navigate with kids, food to feed the multitudes, and trying to squeeze in some relaxation, it can be a marathon, not a holiday. But with a bit of forward planning and some nifty tips, it’s extremely likely that a holiday can be enjoyable, memorable, and relaxed enough to be savored.
Choose the Right Place for All
The secret to a stress-free holiday starts with selecting a holiday destination that actually works for your whole family. Beach towns, ski resorts, and family-friendly cities all have pluses. Think about what the youngest and oldest in your group will require, how much relaxation all will have, and what you can do and see. Holidays like Noosa holidays are great for families because they offer a great combination of sun-kissed beach days, activities for the family, and great restaurants. Having some alternatives in place keeps everyone in good humor and deters griping.
Streamline Packing With a Plan
Packing can be overwhelming, but with a plan, it is much less so. Start with a list sorted by category: clothing, toiletries, snacks, toys, and miscellaneous things such as chargers or medication. Roll clothing to avoid wrinkles and fit more, and use packing cubes to keep each person’s belongings tidy. Choose one little bag with a change of clothes, toothbrushes, and total essentials which are easy to grab—ideal for lengthy travel days when luggage can be out of reach.
Adding an elementary general dental kit with toothbrushes, floss, and travel-sized toothpaste is also a good plan. With vacation indulgences and every other non-routine, it’s simple for oral hygiene to fall by the wayside, and no one wants a toothache to spoil the vacation.
Create In Downtime Every Day
Pressure to pack every minute of time can have a quick backlash. Kids (and adults) need some downtime to recharge, even in the middle of exciting rides. Create scheduled downtime into each day, such as an hour of swimming at the hotel pool, some quiet reading time, or a relaxing morning with no wake-up alarm. These periods of downtime provide everyone an opportunity to reboot and reduce meltdowns, making the whole vacation more enjoyable.
Manage Expectations and Remain Flexible
One of the biggest reasons for holiday stress is the expectation of everything being perfect. It won’t be perfect, the same. Something will go awry—flights get delayed, children are picky, or it rains on beach day. Instead of trying for perfection, try for connection and fun. Roll with the changes when you must and don’t worry about the little things. Sometimes the most fond memories of the family are created by the spontaneous moments.
A few tips to keep in mind:
- Be adaptable with a plan rather than a rigid schedule.
- Prioritize one or two “must-do” things every day.
- Keep lots of water and snacks within easy access to avoid hangry moods.
- Give older children some input into the day’s activities to keep them interested.
Prioritize Health and Comfort
Vacations are supposed to be relaxing, but weary bodies and queasy tummies can bring on unnecessary stress. Drinking plenty of fluids, eating healthy food (other than the sweets, of course), and getting plenty of rest all serve to maintain a good mood. Taking along a few comfort objects, like favorite blankets or stuffed animals, can also help calm little ones into new settings.
Wearing comfortable clothing and shoes is a big assist, too, on those days of sightseeing. And don’t forget the sunblock—even on cloudy days, everyone’s skin will thank you.
Make Room for Happiness
The best part of a family vacation is being present and soaking it all in and enjoying the joy of being together. It can be laughing at nighttime board games, discovering seashells along the beach, or having ice cream on a hot day. These little, sweet moments will be the things to be shared and remembered years down the line.
A bit of planning ahead, plenty of flexibility, and another helping of grace for your family and you will go a long way toward making a holiday that is not only stress-free but actually restorative. And let’s face it, a family holiday is as much about the memories you make as it is about where you are.
