Does it seem like your family is becoming less and less like a family and more like people just sharing the same house? If so, you’re not alone. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of families who are in the same predicament as you.
This is unfortunate. After all, families are supposed to be close, deeply bonded, and always there for each other.
There is such a thing as healthy separation. For example, your children becoming less dependent on you as they grow older. This is perfectly normal and actually quite healthy. However, there is also such a thing as unhealthy distance being created within a family.
The sooner you begin to try and bring the members of your family back together, the easier it will be and the better off your family will be.
So, the question is, how can you begin to close the distance that has been created?
There are many ways to do this that are quite effective. In my opinion, one of the most effective strategies is taking a family vacation. However, before taking a vacation, it’s important that you are well prepared. The last thing you want to do is make your vacation stressful due to a lack of preparation.
If you want your family vacation to run as smoothly as possible, you should consider following these guidelines…
1. Ask Everyone What They Would Like To Do
One of the most important things you need to do is get everyone’s opinion on what they would like to do. You want to make sure that you make the experience as enjoyable as possible for all the members of your family. If you can’t get everyone to agree on an exact destination, take a vote.
2. Have Activities Planned For Your Children
Children become bored rather quickly, especially when it comes to long road trips. We all know what happens when children become bored; absolute chaos. Kicking seats, arguing and yelling, and the constant “are we there yet” leads to a lot of stress which basically defeats the purpose of a vacation. Make sure you bring along things that will keep your children entertained for the travel portion of your vacation.
3. Insist That Electronics Be Put Away
It seems like people have a hard time putting away their electronics these days, especially when it comes to teenagers and their smart phones. However, teenagers are not the only one’s guilty of this. Many adults have a hard time leaving work at work and spend a lot of their free time staring at phones as well. Make it clear that electronics will either not be allowed out during your vacation or set a time limit on how long they may be used.
4. Pack In Advance
Packing for a vacation is something that should never be done at the last minute. Often times, when people leave it until the last minute, they forget important items and their vacation turns into a nightmare. Create a checklist and make sure you pack your bags well in advance.
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