Amy & Aron's

You’ve been working hard all year and have probably had your family vacation booked, paid for and planned for months. It’s the one time of year that we can all let our hair down, relax a little and hopefully enjoy spending some time together!

However, despite what we might see on social media, summer vacations with the family, aren’t always filled with smiles, perfect family photographs and laughter. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try things will go wrong.

Whether you’ve booked a fantastic hotel for the whole family to enjoy – check out Marriott on the Falls for holiday accommodation that will take your breath away – or you have everything planned to the last detail; things can still go wrong!

So, in order to help you survive your family vacation, I’ve come up with 4 ways you can make your break run a little smoother – for everyone! Good luck!

Allow extra time

You might plan your weeks on a tight schedule, with school, work, after school clubs and social events running to very specific times. But now you’re on vacation, it’s important to allow extra time for everything. It’s perfectly normal to want to cram in as much as possible and make the most of your time off and with your family. But rushing around, constantly watching the clock and getting anxious isn’t going to help matters. You’ll be creating a stressful environment and putting everyone on edge. Planning your time is fine but relax. Whether you’re sitting in traffic or waiting for the kids to get changed after a swim in the pool, don’t sweat it.

Bring plenty of boredom and stress busting activities

Whether you’re travelling to your destination or you’re three days into your vacation, at some point you’re little ones are going to need to reset, relax and do something quiet. Alternatively, they might be bored and just need a little stimulation to calm themselves down. Before you travel, pack a bag with plenty of little toys from home. Things like colouring books, activity pages, playdoh, books, dolls, and small pocket sized toys are ideal for those quiet afternoons by the pool or in the hotel room.

Don’t sweat the small stuff

Accepting that things might go wrong means you’re more likely to fully enjoy your holiday. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to create a picture perfect holiday! So, when you accidentally order that disgusting offal dish instead of the chicken one, you can all laugh about it instead of being upset and angry!

Plan your holiday with everyone in mind

When you plan your holiday, make sure that everyone gets to do something that’s tailored to their age, abilities, and interests. You might want to try that new coffee shop you saw in the market, but your angsty teen might prefer an afternoon at the waterpark. Make sure you spend a little time each day doing something that will appeal to each member or your holiday party. That way they’ll be less resentment and much more to look forward to!