Get Organized For Family Vacations

By Diana Smith

When planning a family vacation, there are so many things which need to be done. Even though it may sound easy at first, it is one hell of a job which takes hours and hours of organizing. From creating a travel plan, packing all the required gear, to making sure that your house stays safe. There are simply so many things which need to be done. Instead of freaking out, let’s take it one step at a time. Make your vacation unforgettable, and don’t worry about anything once you’ve gone through these preparation steps. Here is a list of things which you have to do to ensure your vacation will go smoothly.

The man with the plan

It is known that those with a plan tend to be more successful than those who just play it by ear. The same thing applies to your family vacation. So, to be sure that everything will work out just fine, you have to come up with a plan. Start by choosing a destination, the number of days you wish to spend there, which type of accommodation you are going to use, which means of transportation, etc. Work out every little detail and once you are done, you will have a perfectly designed vacation. Yes, it sounds like a lot of work at first, but it will take you just a few hours to draw a plan. After that, you can move to the next step.

Packing

Once you have chosen your destination, you know what lies ahead. Whether a camping in the outdoors or relaxing on a sandy beach, you have to be prepared for it. Start by packing the necessary things, such as clothes and accessories. Once that is done, pack the things that you cannot travel without: your laptop, or your phone, your books, your children’s toys, your coffee machine. Don’t over-pack, and bring only the things you deem vital. Everything else will be just fine, waiting at home. Depending on the type of the trip ahead, you might want to pack some food and drinks, as well as medication and first aid pack. You never know when you may need those, and having a few painkillers around is always handy.

The importance of navigation

If travelling by a car, it is important that you know your current location at all times. Not only that, but you don’t want to get lost, and you want to be able to find a certain address, souvenir store, intersection or location. To do so, you have to have a decent GPS system. There are plenty of different models to choose from; Strathfield Car Radio  GPS Navigation is cheap and has everything you need for a safe trip. It will do most of the work for you, keep you on the right track, take care of your speed limit and warn you of potential accident up ahead. Never wonder off again, or take a wrong turn.

Much needed pit stops

Long trips can be exhausting for both the driver and the passengers. It is highly advised to make a resting pit stop after every few hours of driving. You can rest to restock on supplies, snacks and drinks, as well as get a dose of caffeine and sugar for your body. Also, making a bathroom break is important especially if you have children on the back seat. Tend to their needs, and let them know that there is 2 or 3h drive until the next stop. You don’t want them asking for a bathroom break often. As a driver, rest whenever you can, and if you are feeling sleepy or exhausted, it is better to stop and take a nap than to keep driving for one simple reason: safety.

Keep your children occupied

As the road becomes lonely and monotonous, your children will get tired of naps and will want to do something. They are kids, full of energy and the need for constant movement. You have to come up with something interesting for them to do to keep them occupied or they will make your ride look like hell. Play a game with them, sing a song together, or play them a movie on your laptop. If you can get those portable seat screens, you can turn the back of your seat into a monitor where you kids can watch their favorite movies and cartoons. That is one way of keeping them occupied for a longer duration.

Remember that this is your vacation, so leave all the stress and negative energy behind and try to relax, build up on energy. A new year is ahead of you, and this is the only time when you can rest your body and mind, without having to worry about work or paying the bills. Use every moment to the fullest, and soak up on that much needed rest.

Images: http://search.creativecommons.org/

Author bio: Diana Smith is a full time mom of two beautiful girls and a passionate traveler. In her free time she enjoys exploring new destinations with her family.