Whether it’s an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean, a ski vacation at a mountain lodge or a trip to Paris to shop and take in the art, family trips are all about creating memories. But they also serve a more important purpose: exposing kids to new experiences and cultures that will help them develop into well-rounded, well-adjusted adults.
A family vacation isn’t just a chance to take the kids on an exciting adventure, it’s also an opportunity to teach them how to work through conflict and compromise. That’s a skill that will come in handy throughout their lives, no matter where they end up going or what career paths they take.
But while family vacation is a great way to impart this lesson, it can be difficult for families who don’t share the same style of travel. If one family has strict rules for eating, bedtime and screen time and another is more lax about these things, it can lead to frustrations during the trip. In these cases, the best approach is to talk about how the trip should go ahead of time and decide what areas you’re willing to compromise on and how.
Many hotels offer perks such as club access that can allow families to spend more time together without having to make the trek to the restaurant each day. In addition, all-inclusive resorts can make the experience more cost effective, with one fee covering accommodations, meals and activities.
The family that vacations together stays together, right? Well, that’s not necessarily the case. Many hotels now offer multigenerational suites that allow grandparents to stay with younger grandchildren during their vacation. These suites are often located close to amenities such as pools, restaurants and attractions, making it easy for all generations to meet up. While the trend might be partly a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it also reflects a desire for older generations to reconnect with their young adult children and see them as complex people, not just the kids they knew back when.
Getting some one-on-one time with your spouse or partner while on vacation can also be a good thing for family morale. Choosing a resort or cruise that offers kid’s clubs is an easy way to accomplish this, and tiring the kids out during the day will give you a window of opportunity for a romantic dinner or spa treatment.