As a parent, you may find that you don't spend as much quality time with your kids as you would like. This is not for want of trying - but all too often, life just gets in the way, and family life becomes driven by routine.
Shaking up that routine, however, can be a huge benefit for both parent and child alike. Modern families operate very differently to the way they did thirty or forty years ago - the notion of eating dinner together has vanished from a huge proportion of households, and the rise of technology has meant that young children are spending less time outside and more time in front of a screen.
Parents also spend more time working, commuting and ferrying their kids around - and even Mum deserves a break too! That's why a big family holiday can be the best way to reconnect with your kids among the madness of everyday life.
It is also something on many people's bucket lists: to take their kids away on a once in a lifetime trip that they'll remember forever.
But pulling off such an excursion is easier said than done. There's a lot of money involved, and you want to make sure you pick somewhere that appeals to everyone (something that's quite hard if you have kids of different ages).
However, if have faith in your planning abilities and you're dead set on giving your children the holiday they always dreamed of, here are a few ways to bring that dream to life.
Get your finances in order
There's no shying away from the fact that ANY family holiday costs a lot of money. But if you want to do something special next year, you'll need to start rethinking the way in which you handle your finances.
The first thing to consider is where the bulk of the money is going to come from. You may already have a tasty savings pot, or perhaps you were fortunate enough to come into some inheritance a few years ago. If this isn't the case, however, you may need to get a little more inventive.
One such way you can access the money required to fund such a trip is by looking into home owner loans.
Unlike other loans (questionable payday lenders, we're looking at you!), a home owner loan is secured against your property, making it altogether more reliable.
A lot of people use their home owner loan to see their kids through university or to reinvest back into the house, but there's nothing to stop you putting some of the funds towards a vacation either.
Pick something suitable
Trying to find a holiday that means everybody's requirements can be a pretty complex process. Your youngest might want nothing more than to go to Disneyworld, but you know full well that your eldest would sulk the whole time if your holiday revolved around talking animals and princesses. In this instance, you may want to try and meet in the middle; for example, booking a vacation to America and traveling through South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
That way, you can visit Disneyworld for those who are interested, but your whole vacation doesn't revolve around it. Don't be afraid to think outside the box, either.
Africa may not be the go-to option for family vacations, but it boasts some surprisingly beautiful beach resorts, and taking your kids on safari is something they'll never forget.
Set some rules in place before you leave
Holidays are all about having fun and relaxing.
So, the last thing you want is for your children to be fighting the whole time you are there, or for there to be a sour atmosphere in the air.
This type of behavior can have a knock-on effect on the whole holiday, which in turn can leave a bad taste in everyone's mouths. When you start planning the excursion, sit your children down and explain that you will only be going on the trip if they promise to show good behaviour.
Making efforts to change any bad behavior before jetting off will help you feel calmer about the whole thing. Also, make sure you are prepared to deal with all the eventualities that traveling with kids can bring. A screaming child on an airplane is no fun for anyone, least of all the parent of said child! So bring plenty of onboard entertainment to keep them occupied throughout the journey.
Laying down the ground rules and being prepared simply means you will have more chance to sit back and enjoy your well-deserved break.
Laying down the ground rules and being prepared simply means you will have more chance to sit back and enjoy your well-deserved break.
*Collaborative Post.
