Vacationing as a Multigenerational Family: Five Tips to Keep Everyone Sane
As travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders begin to lax as we head into the summer season, many families are looking forward to resuming their vacation plans. Although some popular vacation destinations might be off the table this summer, that doesn’t mean that you need to abandon all vacation plans. This could be the perfect summer for you and your family to vacation as a multigenerational family.
Multigenerational family vacations are becoming more and more popular. Many families are spread apart geographically, so a multigenerational family vacation is a great opportunity to bring the family back together outside of the holiday season. Other families all live as a multigenerational family either under one roof or near each other, so it’s only natural that they would want to vacation together. It can be challenging to plan the perfect summer getaway that meets everyone’s needs. There’s a lot to consider beyond just the destination. Here are a few tips to consider as you plan your multigenerational vacation, so that everyone has fun and stays sane.
Choose One Home Base
As you consider your vacation plans with a multigenerational family, it’s best to choose one home base location. It can be challenging for both seniors and families with younger children to pack and unpack multiple times throughout the duration of the vacation. Avoid this by choosing one place that the entire family can call home for a week or two. Individual families can choose how far they venture from home base each day, while allowing other family members to keep a routine that’s relaxing for them.
Consider the Layout of the Rental
When choosing a rental home, or even hotel, thoroughly consider the layout before you book. Think through where each family member would sleep, as well as their sleep schedule. Is there a quiet nook where seniors can rest during the day or have no difficulty falling asleep should they call it an early night? Look carefully at the bathrooms, is there a walk-in shower available for seniors or a bathtub for the children? Also consider how many steps the rental has and how many steps your aging loved ones would need to navigate to get from their bedroom to the kitchen or living room.
Stick Close to Home
If this is the first time you’re planning a multigenerational family vacation, it might be best to find a location near your aging loved ones’ home. You don’t need to travel far from home to experience those vacation vibes. Plus, this gives you the opportunity to explore a destination right in your own backyard. You’ll enjoy the mental relief of a new environment, while feeling comforted knowing home is not far away should your aging parents need to end the vacation early.
Keep the Itinerary Simple
When you select your vacation destination and begin to plan an itinerary, remember that less is more. It’s unrealistic to plan an activity for every hour of the day. Research what’s in the area, then put together a list of potential activities and the costs associated with them. Then, individual families can decide what they want to do and what fits their family routine the best. Some family members might be happy to just relax at the rental property with everyone. Other members might want to go explore nearby hiking trails or historic landmarks. Seniors might just want an afternoon of quiet and would be happy to stay inside with the napping children while the adults play a board game on the deck. When you keep your itinerary tentative and flexible, you ensure that everyone will have a relaxing time.
Seek Additional Help
Finally, keep everyone sane by hiring help as needed. Does the rental home require you to clean before you leave? Ask everyone to chip in and hire a cleaning service. Cater meals instead of spending all your time in the kitchen. Work with a travel agency if you aren’t familiar with a destination or visit travel websites for tried and true recommendations. It’s important that you give yourself time and space to unwind and relax.
As you plan your multigenerational family vacation, take Visiting Angels Southlake along with you! We can help make arrangements with a Visiting Angels office near your vacation destination so that your aging loved one has a companion to assist with caregiving tasks. Our compassionate caregivers receive the same training throughout the nation. Therefore, you can expect to receive the same quality care, no matter your location. Perhaps your family vacation doesn’t include your aging loved one. We are proud to offer respite care services so that your loved one can receive the care they need while you’re away. This option can also provide you with peace of mind, allowing you to enjoy your vacation to the fullest. Please contact us today by calling 817-684-1996.