Planning a vacation always poses an endless array of variables that can leave parents wondering where to begin. Narrowing down the choices to what you may enjoy compounded by maternal obligations of providing a satisfying experience for your children boggles the mind. In consideration of all the complexities and issues, we have come up with a mother’s guide for planning a kid-friendly family vacation.
Step One: Brainstorm the Possibilities
In the early phases of your planning, you don’t want to rule out anything. This is the brainstorming phase where you consider where you would go and what you would want to do in an ideal world with an unlimited budget. Although it may seem impractical to consider experiences that are way out of your budget, there are almost always loopholes that can be used to book a stay or travel somewhere at huge discounts if your timing is right.
Step Two: Narrow Down Your Choices
The next step involves narrowing down your choices. You can’t fly to Abu Dubai, hit the Maldives, and catch the running of the bulls in Italy all at the same time. You don’t want to blow all your money or be traveling around so much that you’re dizzy.
You may want to highlight the most practical choices. Taking your kids camping is usually a satisfactory experience for them that also gives you the privacy, peace, and tranquility that you enjoy. Finding a full-service resort that caters to the needs of children is a plus, and at a resort, there were will be an activity for everyone without having to worry about transportation.
Step Three: Think Out the Details
If you’ve already decided on a European vacation, then you have to think about how much money it will cost to buy all the kids’ passports and possibly update your own. You’ll need to check for flights and try to snag the best deals without too many layovers. Layovers can wear you down with jet lag and make you wish you’d paid that extra $500 for a direct trip.
The best time to book a flight is typically on a Sunday. It is generally advisable to book in the morning before 7 AM EST. Other websites say that there is no special day to book a flight and that deals merely pop up randomly. Other statisticians have published studies concluding that Tuesday is the best day to fly on the cheap, regardless of when you book it.
If you are making a road trip, consider how roadworthy your vehicle is well in advance. You don’t want to have your plans spoiled by waiting on parts or having a service completed only to find out that additional parts and repairs are required.
Step Four: Keep Your Plans Flexible
You never know what can happen from one day to the next, so it is advisable to keep your plans flexible. Try to buy premium tickets and reservations that can be changed without incurring any additional expense. Millions of people have lost their entire vacation fund by foolishly committing to a schedule they simply couldn’t keep.
