A holiday is supposed to be relaxing. However, it doesn’t always work out that way. You’ve got the different opinions and preferences of several people to contend with, not to mention all the classic family squabbles.
So how can you avoid stress on a family holiday? Well, it just takes a few simple steps. Follow these and you’ll be ready to really enjoy your break.
It’s all in the planning
Stress busting starts before you’ve even left the house, and it goes a long way to ensuring you have a successful trip.
Narrow your destinations down to a shortlist, then ask everyone which one they’d prefer. Once an agreement has been reached, pick some sightseeing activities you’d all like to do together.
Children are more likely to behave themselves if they’ve had a say in organising the holiday, and relatives of all ages will appreciate having their opinion listened to.
Buy travel insurance for everyone
Many people see travel insurance as an unnecessary expense. And while it’s true that most holidays go smoothly, they’re not completely accident-free — 1 in 6 travellers had to make a claim in 2016. Medical treatment abroad is expensive and it’s not worth risking a holiday without insurance.
You may already have a travel insurance policy (lots of banks offer them as a benefit with their current accounts), so do check before buying anything. And don’t forget to let the insurer know about any medical conditions. The last thing you want is for any claims to be invalidated because you didn’t disclose an illness.
Be realistic with your budget
Money is a stressful topic and certainly not one you want to have ruin your holiday. Set aside a realistic amount and err on the side of caution. Although we like our holidays to be carefree, in this case it (quite literally) pays to be careful instead.
Not sure how to create a budget? This tool calculates how much you’ll need for your holiday.
Bring entertainment
Even the best-laid plans can go awry due to circumstances out of your control — transport delays, for example. Pack activities for everyone: quiet games, books, and puzzles will entertain children and grown-ups alike. Boredom often leads to bad moods, so nip it in the bud before it even starts. (The Telegraph has a good list of flight-friendly activities for kids.)
Be prepared to change your plans
Yes, having some kind of schedule is important. But rather than sticking to it rigidly, keep things flexible. Things don’t always work out the way you expect and you’ll feel a lot calmer if you can adapt. Have a Plan B and be ready to look out for alternatives.
Give each other space
Chances are you’re going to get annoyed with each other at some point during the holiday. If you’re with aunts, uncles, grandparents or grown-up children then it’s important to give everyone the opportunity to have some downtime and do their own thing every so often. This stops resentment building up and helps you to appreciate the company a lot more.
