5 Tips: Summer Vacation

It's summer! This is the best time to start planning a vacation with the family - especially with the restrictions being loosened from Covid-19. I recently went on vacation, and I wanted to have all of these plans set in place before I even got there. It seemed like the best idea to have every day planned out, because I wanted this vacation to feel like the best one yet. I ended up not making those plans, and I was not disappointed. Most people have an agenda filled to the brim on vacation because it seems like the best way to accomplish the best vacation ever, but it usually does not end up as fun as expected. When there is a time crunch it can cost you and your family energy and sometimes those plans fall through anyway. I will explain all of the reasons why this year you should only plan a destination, and make the trip something to remember.

1. Weather: The Biggest Plan Destroyer

When thinking about your plans the weather isn't the first thing we think about, because well, we want to have fun. The weather is one of the reasons why I believe you shouldn't make a plan for a specific day. Every time I have made plans in advance the weather never fails to disappoint me and my family, we usually have to plan the day of, or the night before. The weather will be more accurate a day before anyway, versus making the plans a month or week in advance. The days when the weather decides to dampen your plans, go with an indoor event, even if it is summer, storms happen - and lightening is not gonna be your friend. My family planned an indoor event this time around, because weather makes it's own decisions.

2. Other's: Not Every One Wants To

I have family members that aren't all that stoked to do what I want to do - and it can be a bummer for me, but well, this is about everyone. Other's that are in your family want to do things too, because it is also their vacation. It can be super exciting for you to make a plan to do something you have been wanting to do, but what if your brother or aunt just isn't as interested in the plan - they become the "Debbie downer" of the group. Trust me if you want this vacation to go well, go with the flow of everyone, plan the day before with everyone on board for a day that will be fun.

3. One Stay Daycation: Some Family Members Need A Nap

If you notice that you are having difficulties with getting some of the family to get out of the hotel, it may be a good day to stay in that day. My family utilized the hotel they paid for - my dad and uncle are night shift workers, and well, it is their vacation and they did pay for the stay too. Just because they wanted to sleep a little doesn't mean they aren't enjoying the vacation, in fact they just need rest so they can enjoy another day of the vacation. Some members of the family work different jobs and may need the time to utilize the hotel to sleep in for a day. There are plenty of things to do in most hotels anyway, if you enjoy swimming that is the go to thing to do when there isn't a plan for the day. This is also the age of delivery services, and to avoid some traffic order in for the family on this lay low day.

4. Surprise! Pick Out Of A Hat

Some of the best days on a vacation are the ones that we do sporadically. When deciding to do something by looking around and just doing that thing, it can be really fun. My grandma browsed the internet the day before deciding on the dolphin tours, and it was the best decision, because we were all able to get tickets, and saw the dolphins - it was a blast! I have had the most fun on days like this because it was a surprise, and it was a good surprise, one that took me out of my comfort zone and I really enjoyed it.

5. Drop The Stress: No Need To Hurry

I have found from this last vacation, that the more you plan the more stressful the "vacation" is. Vacations are not supposed to be stressful - Go with the flow, make the plan to your desired destination, but wait to book specific events for each day. When on vacation with others, it's best to wait out the exact plans for each day, for the day before each event. It is okay to look at these events in advance for ideas, but don't make plans until you are sure the weather meets the needs of the event, as well as your family. When there are others involved in the vacation, don't forget to understand their needs for each day too. It's not a terrible idea to do things separately when it is needed, because it's okay to do things with only one other person one day on your family vacation.