Five Tips for a Low Stress Family Vacation

Summer vacations with little ones can sometimes feel more like work than a true vacation. The planning, packing, stressing about sleep and everything in between can make something that’s meant to be fun…anything but that.

But it doesn’t have to be that way! There are a few things families can do to remove some of the stress from a family vacay.

Here are some of our favourite tips!

1. Stick to the 80/20 rule: this means that while you’re away, 80% of the time you’re sticking to your regular routine as closely as possible. This leaves 20% of the time to go a little rogue and just let life happen. Perfection isn’t possible and striving for it will surely suck some of the joy out of your vacation. 
2. Don’t over schedule: it can be tempting to try to pack as much into your vacation as possible. But that often leads to let downs and meltdowns. Instead, choose a couple activities that work with your budget (in terms of time and money!) and focus on enjoying those to the fullest. This is a great way to ensure your vacation feels like a vacation!
3. Opt for conveniences: listen, everything is expensive right now so choose your conveniences wisely. That being said, there may be certain items that make life A LOT easier while you’re travelling. This might mean choosing a direct flight vs. one with connections, staying at an Air BnB vs a hotel, etc. If it’s going to make life easier - go for it! 
4. Start small: if this is your first time travelling with your baby or toddler, ease yourself into it. Consider a short road trip rather than a flight across the country. This will help you learn what works (and what doesn’t) for you and your baby while away from home. 
5. Take advantage of nap schedules: tourist destinations are often pretty packed during peak seasons. That’s why, whenever possible, we like to take advantage of baby’s schedule by planning outings in the mornings and early evenings. This often means early dinners when the restaurant is a little less busy. Trips to parks and zoos in the morning before it gets too hot. You can really make your baby’s schedule work in your favour! 
   
   

Bonus tip: discuss expectations! 
Chat with any adults or older kids that are joining you on vacation about what your expectations are for the trip. Talk about desired behaviour, obstacles you may encounter, and how to ensure the experience is memorable for everyone.

Travelling with young kids and babies is always going to be a bit of a shot in the dark - some days will be magic, while others might be more of a disaster. You just have to roll with it!

We hope these tips help you feel more confident and less stressed as you plan your summer vacation(s). And remember, you’ll cherish these family vacation memories for the rest of your life. And that’s what it’s all about, right?

---