One of the most exciting things you can do is plan a holiday. However, as experienced traveller Fahim Imam-Sadeque explains, it can also be extremely stressful if you have children.
Family holidays are excellent opportunities to create memories that last a lifetime. Parents should plan holidays with their children in mind to ensure this happens.
Here are five tips all parents should consider before they plan the next family holiday.
1. Ask the Children What They Want to Do
Children are always more excited to do something when they have a say in what they’re going to do. There are many ways that parents can get their children involved in planning the holiday.
You could ask them where they’d like to go or what they’d like to do — and then craft a holiday that fits both their wants and what’s realistic. You could ask them what they want to pack — and then help them make appropriate decisions based on the destination.
2. Integrate What You Want to Do
While you certainly want to consider your child’s wants, it’s important not to forget about yourselves, too. Remember that this is a family holiday, and all family members should be excited about the trip.
One great suggestion is to go to a place close to some of the activities your children want to do. For example, if they want to go to a theme park but you want a peaceful getaway, pick a destination that’s a close drive to a theme park.
This way, you can have a relaxing holiday and reward them with a fun trip to the theme park they requested.
3. Book Family Accommodations
The type of accommodations you would book for yourself or for a romantic couple’s getaway are clearly going to look different than those you’d book for your family. This doesn’t mean you have to book noisy accommodations.
At the same time, you should research lodging that has something for the children, too. This could be as simple as an indoor pool, free arcade games in the basement or other guests who travel with their families.
Children will remember not just the destination you travelled to, but also the places you stayed. You can make it more memorable for them by making sure the accommodations cater to them.
4. Give Yourself Time
As any parent knows, getting from Point A to Point B with even one child can add an extra 20 minutes or more to your routine. Keep in mind that this won’t go away just because you’re on holiday.
A great way to reduce potential stress and disappointment when travelling with the family is to leave yourself ample time and not rush.
If you’re flying to your destination, make sure to arrive two or three hours early. If you have timed tickets to a museum or attraction, plan to wake up a few hours before you actually need to be there. Proper time management is key to enjoying a family holiday.
5. Book in Advance
Fahim Imam-Sadeque suggests that you book as much as you can in advance. Following this suggestion will get you the lowest prices on airfare, hotels, rental, and rental cars.
In addition, it’ll ensure that you don’t miss out on popular attractions that could sell out. This is especially true if you’re travelling to a city or a tourist hotspot. Not only will booking in advance eliminate this possibility, but it’ll also make your trip less stressful once you’ve arrived at your destination.
About Fahim Imam-Sadeque
Fahim Imam-Sadeque is a business development professional with proven experience in the asset management industry. He has a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science from the City University of London and is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries. Fahim’s top skills include asset management, hedge funds, investment management, sales, and consultant & client relationship management.
