Family trips are usually fun for the kids but can be exhausting for parents. The larger the family, the more planning goes into a holiday and the more packing and cooking needs to be done. Travelling with babies can also require a fair deal of planning and a great deal of packing.
To make sure you and your partner get some down-time while the kids have a blast, keep these tips in mind:
1. Choose your destination right
Location, location, location. Depending on your family’s interests, where you go can play a big role in how much planning needs to go into the trip and how much needs to be done on vacation. If you enjoy luxury stays, choose hotels that have restaurants or have certain meals like breakfast included, so it’s one less meal you have to cook. Take a look at these boutique hotels in Cape Town on Afristay that ooze relaxation. If you prefer other types of accommodation like camping or self-catering, plan your meals ahead of time, bring pre-cooked meals or allow yourself the odd take-out meal. That way you won’t have to worry about what’s for supper all day long.
2. Divide the chores
Apart from cooking, other chores will still need to be done like cleaning your rooms/apartment/camping site. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you’re giving the kids a break by cleaning up after them. Parents need breaks too. Ask your partner and children to all share in the load and do their bit to tidy the place each day. Staying at a hotel, or in chalets with cleaning services provided is the ideal way not to have to worry about the cleaning. If, however, you are staying in a holiday rental house or apartment, you can enquire about hiring a domestic worker or a cleaning service, even if it’s only a couple of times during your stay.
3. Set time apart for different activities
Once all the not-so-fun things are out of the way, remember to enjoy your time together as a family. Spending time doing fun things like going for walks, swimming on the beach, safari drives or even just playing board games are all things that will help you relax and bond as a family. Make sure you set certain times apart when the family can get together to do these things instead of everyone going off to do their own thing – especially when teenagers or older children are involved.
4. Make couple-time a priority too
As much as it’s important to spend time with your kids, it’s important to spend alone time with your spouse too. Chances are that you lead busy lives back home and being alone together is a luxury. Holidays are the perfect time to reconnect and do fun things together.
5. Get in the right frame of mind
Going on vacation is supposed to be a time of fun and laughter, so try to get in the mindset of being a bit more laid back than usual. You’ll be out of routine anyway, and the more you stress and allow bickering to interfere with your relaxation time, the less you will be able to rest. Remind yourself that you deserve some time off, and take time to do things you enjoy, such as lounging by the pool with a book.
Also read: Family trips make your kids smarter
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