Successful Family Vacations

Summer is just round the corner and many families are planning well deserved vacations. Here are some suggestions to a successful family vacation:

Selecting a Destination:
* Involve each family member in the selection of a destination.
* Plan your trip according to the ages and interests of your children. Call, write, or check the website of the Chamber of Commerce of your vacation destination and ask for information on family activities in the area.

Traveling:
* Be flexible-traveling with children requires adaptability
* Travel safely. Pack a small first aid kit, first aid book, and a cellular phone.
* Since traveling time creates the opportunity or quality family time, initiate conversation.
* During stops, encourage the kids to run and play, releasing energy and discouraging restlessness. Plan short travel segments. Respond to the question, "How much farther?" with a definite, short time interval.
* Separate bickering siblings. Have the kids change seats often so that they are not always sitting in the same spot beside the same person.
* Carry nutritious snacks. Children and adults are a lot happier with full stomachs.
* Pack "goodie bags" for each child. Distribute these surprises over the course of the trip. This bag could include crayons, paper, toys, and stickers. Older children might enjoy a journal and camera to record the trip. Spacing the surprises out over the trip keeps the young travelers occupied.
* Play games during the trip. Examples include: I spy, pointing out specific sites, and naming states and their capitals. This gives the children a sense of their surroundings.

During the Trip:
* Do a safety check upon arriving at your destination. Bring necessary safety equipment such as tape to put over the electrical sockets. Move breakables or other possible hazards to your child.
* Relax. This is your family vacation. Try seeing one major attraction a day, preferably in the morning when it's less crowded. Spend the rest of the day devoted to a kid activity such as swimming.
* Eliminate whining and begging for money by establishing a set amount that a child can spend per day or per attraction.
* Have rainy day plans. Be creative. A possible plan: having a theme party inside the motel.
* Try to stay at hotels and resorts that offer children's programs. This allows adults to engage in activities without the children.
*Return home allowing enough time for unpacking and resting before school or work starts again.

Debbie Wilburn is County Agent/Family and Consumer Science Agent with the Hall (770)535-8290 and the Forsyth (770)887-2418 County Extension Service.