Many families create cherished memories during travels, but the truth is, it doesn’t always come easy.
Planning and executing a family trip can be both stressful and tiring.
Data suggests 1 in 4 UK parents would rather forget about planning family holidays to avoid the anxiety that comes with it.
We want to assure all parents, you can still have stress-free and memorable family travel; it just boils down to using helpful hacks to make your trip as smooth as possible.
Below are three such hacks to make your family travel hassle-free.
Set Realistic Expectations When You Plan and be Plexible
Early planning gives you enough time to put all your thoughts on paper.
You don’t have to rush through this stage because giving yourself enough time allows you to factor in everything you want to happen on the family trip and to set realistic expectations.
The best way to plan a trip is to seek ideas, as long as they are family-friendly.
Solo planning can be hard work; instead of racking your brain alone, having others pitch in makes it more fun for everyone.
The worst mistake you can make at this point is not listening to everyone’s ideas.
Even young children in the family can say something to spark an excellent idea which helps reduce stress during the trip.
Remember to maintain flexibility in your travel schedule as part of your detailed planning.
It’s easy to get so engrossed in occupying your family’s time that you forget that anything can happen while you are away.
It can be a delayed or cancelled flight, accommodation issues, a sudden change in weather, and so on.
These are realistic expectations to factor into your plans.
Flexibility really helps take away the stress associated with family travels.
At the end of it all, you will enjoy a relaxed bonding trip with your family, especially if you allow for all eventualities.
Opt for Fare Deals and Budget Airlines
One of the main causes of stress on these trips is finance.
Travelling can be expensive, and unless you’re adequately prepared, you will feel tremendous stress and anxiety before, during, and after the trip.
Fortunately, you can avoid all that by getting the best deal from the airline.
The main purpose of these budget airlines is to offer affordable options to holidaymakers just like you.
It can also be your chance to reduce your family’s travel costs, a lot.
Airlines like TUI Airways for example, offer TUI premium seats with several perks, even when you’re budget travelling.
Considering that cost is a significant issue and the main cause of stress for family traveling, deals like this can be lifesavers.
Cheap airline fares sound appealing sometimes, but being wary of hidden costs is important.
For example, you may not get any financial respite should there be a flight cancellation.
It would be wise to also be wary of steep excess baggage fees and exorbitant check-in charges, among other things.
Knowing all these in advance can reduce your stress levels as you embark on a family trip.
Pack Light but Smart
Considering factors like the duration of the family travel, the climate at your chosen destination, how many of you there are, and the age ranges will help you determine how many bags you will need for the trip.
If toddlers are involved, there is no doubt you’ll need more clothes and nappies than with older children.
Even for children from six to ten years, you will need to pack more spare clothes than you would for yourself.
However, there is a trick to packing, and that is the hack you’re about to discover.
First, what are the specific needs of each family member on the trip?
When you find what these are, it’ll be easy to pack light and smart.
Also, knowing the planned activities at your destination in advance will give you an idea of what to put in your luggage and what to leave at home.
Clothing and travel experts believe versatile clothing does the trick every time.
These garments can be matched and mixed without looking out of place.
Moreover, because you want your carry-on to be lighter, relying on e-tickets, digital maps, and any electronic document relevant to the family trip would be a better option.
The last thing you want is to be at the airport rummaging through a pile of paper documents while searching for your child’s favourite toy.
It can disrupt your attention and bring on unnecessary stress in the most unlikely places.
We hope you enjoyed our hacks for creating a memorable family trip!
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