What's your idea of the perfect family vacation? Kicking back, relaxing and spending quality time together? Or making every moment count by jam-packing your itinerary with fun and exciting activities?
A man says he's sick and tired of the same boring annual vacation with his extended family. His wife had agreed that they should all do something different this year. But she changed her mind without informing him, and committed to spending a week at the same beach, in the same street and sticking to the same strict routine. He's now told her that she and the kids can go alone.
What was meant to be a relaxing family vacation has turned into a nightmare for one couple
Image credits: Olivia / Pexels (not the actual photo)
The husband has told his wife and kids they can go without him because he's sick of the same boring holiday every year
Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Guillaume Issaly / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: jared_d
He then revealed that he plans all the other family vacations throughout the year
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Striking a balance between relaxation and having an exciting adventure is the key to a happy family vacation
If you find yourselves arguing during what’s meant to be a relaxing family vacation, you’re not alone. According to Rebecca Toy, a family therapist, multi-generational family vacations can serve up all sorts of drama. Different personalities, needs, wants and likes all trying to compete for the top spot.
Toy says one of the biggest sticking points is overplanning. “There are two top travel benefits that all generations covet regardless of the type of trip: relaxing/reducing stress and having an exciting adventure,” she explains.
Finding the right balance is key but many families fail dismally because they try to cram too many things into the holiday and end up overscheduling. The result: not enough rest and relaxation, and a bunch of moody holidaymakers.
“Introverts isolate, adults snap, and children’s joy takes on that frantic, aggressive edge that’s the warning shot for an epic meltdown,” says Toy.
The expert warns that a multi-generational family vacation is not the trip you should use to cross every item off a bucket list. Rather, remember to enjoy each other’s company.
Margaret Crane and Barbara Ballinger run the Life Lessons At 50 Plus blog. Both have plenty of experience when it comes to big family holidays.
"Planning in advance and listening to everyone's needs is key to having those kumbaya experiences," they write. Crane says it's important to talk before you book, then make a list of everyone's needs and prioritize. She suggests allowing each person to have one request.
Remember that it's okay for family members to go their separate ways sometimes, too. "We have found that when interests are diverse, we split up and come back together again for mealtime," Crane reveals, adding that you shouldn't forget to schedule free time. "Swim. Nap. Read," she says. "Set aside an hour or more to recharge, especially as we age and tire a bit more."
And lastly, the duo advises that as a family, you should always aim to try something new.
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Some took his side and felt his wife was manipulating him
Others didn't understand why the man wouldn't want to just relax with family
