Travelling with your extended family can be a magical time of bonding, relaxation, forging family traditions, and lazy days spent bushwalking, swimming and story-telling, but it can present a few challenges too.
Whether you have a favourite holiday destination or you’re
off to explore somewhere new, some thoughtful planning will go a long way to
ensure everyone’s needs are catered for and an enjoyable time is had by all.
Learn
from past experiences
If you have holidayed together before think
about what worked well and what didn’t. Consider sleeping arrangements,
distance to destination, meal times and camping facilities.
Do
your research
If you are visiting somewhere new make sure
it is suitable for all members of the family. Are the bathroom facilities close
enough? Is there a playground? Will you be able to stock up at a local store or
will you have to carry everything? Is it family friendly and in quiet area away
from partyers?
Pay
your way
Avoid resentment or awkward conversations
about money by setting a budget before you go and deciding who will pay for
what.
Do things together that create lasting
memories of your family holiday, whether it’s an annual beach cricket game, story- telling over roasted marshmallows, fishing
competition, crafting a holiday picture journal together, or playing board
games.
If you are holidaying somewhere new it is
easy to fill your itinerary with full days of sightseeing and activities. Try
to keep every second or third day as a rest day by the pool or at camp, or you
run the risk of needing a second holiday!
Share
the load
Designate each family member, including the
kids, something they are responsible for each day so no one person feels like
they are carrying the load. Setting up and packing up camp are especially big
tasks and a good opportunity to work together.
Make
sure everyone gets a break
It’s nice to be together but everyone will
get a long much better if each person gets a little ‘me time’. Go for a
solitary walk, throw a line in, or stay back and read a book while the others
go off sightseeing. Take turns watching the kids so each adult get some child
free time. Don’t keep leaving the kids with the grandparents though, keep it
fair.
Share
the responsibility
In big family groups it’s easy to think
that someone else is watching the little ones. If you have young children it’s
important whoever is responsible for supervising knows it’s their turn until
someone else takes over. Kids tend to wander off in caravan parks and bush
camps where the boundaries of their play area are undefined.
Down
time
Many young children and grandparents need
an afternoon nap. Designate a quiet time for your camp when those not resting
go off exploring, shopping etc.
Attitude
of gratitude!
A few days or weeks living with your children
and grandchildren in confined quarters has the potential to fray a few nerves.
Take a deep breath and remember how lucky you are to have family that love you
and to be on holidays!
This article was written by me and recently published in Caravan & Motorhome magazine
