Traveling is one of our family's favorite activities, but it hasn't always been that way. When I was a child, each Christmas we'd take a long road trip to see each set of grandparents. By the end of the trip, my brother and I were covered with war wounds from our back seat fighting, and my parents were no longer talking to each other. What started as a happy holiday trip would inevitably turn into a scene out of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation."
Family travel can be enjoyable and instill memories that will last a lifetime if you take a little time to plan. Here are a few simple tips that will help:
Plan for stops. Shaving half an hour off of a long drive time won't do any good if everyone is miserable. Check out your map and plan stops along the way. Pay special attention to attractions or landmarks that might be of interest. Such stops will break up the trip into segments and turn a long drive into an adventure.
Check out online coupons and special offers for your destination. Nothing is more stressful on a vacation than money worries. Knowing you're being thrifty will help alleviate some of that stress. Using deal-finding websites such as kayak.com or travelcoupons.com is very helpful, but you can also type in the name of any restaurant, hotel or destination into your search browser, followed by the words "discounts" or "coupons," to find specific deals.
Stock up on stuff. Let's face it--driving for long stretches can be boring, and when you're a kid, it's nearly unbearable. You can solve this dilemma by packing a few things that each child likes. Some families rely heavily on portable DVD players, but there are less expensive options, too, like books and travel games. There are also some really creative travel activity books out there. Among them, John Lithgow's Paloozas! Boredom Blasters: Travel Edition.
Make sure your car is as ready as you are. The last thing you need is a flat tire or a stalled engine, so be sure to plan time for an oil change and check-up before you leave. Prepare your car with emergency supplies (especially in cold weather), including blankets, a flashlight, a cell phone charger and a comprehensive map.
Bring a few munchies. You'll save a lot of money and calories by avoiding fast food fare and gas station treats by packing things like sandwiches, granola bars, apples, pop tarts, flavored water and other family favorites. Even if you don't lean toward healthy treats, your trip costs will slim down.
Keep away the crabby. No matter how well planned your trip, someone is going to complain about something. Make up a funny code word or sentence to use when someone does complain. It will lighten the mood and may incite a few laughs. Our last trip included the silly phrase, "That's right, Home Slice," (made up by our teenaged son), and it's still a family joke.
Keep the mood light. Recognize that parents control much of the mood. If you're showing stress, everyone will feel it, just as everyone will feel if you choose to be lighthearted. It's sometimes tough to do, but it really does make a difference.
Be flexible, be flexible ... and be flexible. No one likes a highly regimented vacation. What's the point? Everyone will have more fun if you veer off of the path a little. Try new things and be open to ideas. After all, it's not your travel time you will remember when your kids are grown, but the memories you will have created.
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