With the invention of social media came a blessing and a curse: the ability to keep up with friends and family on a whim, as well as the chance to gawk at the thousands of vacation pictures that we never think we'll be able to provide for our own family. But I'm here to paint a different picture for you (and help you snap some of those same photos of your own family summer vacation).
Though money-saving tips are important, there's a more important foundation when it comes to vacation planning: Anytime you can be anywhere together as a family can be a vacation.
Mindset is so important: I've seen families in some of the world's most beautiful destinations look miserable. On the other hand, I've seen a family crammed together in a friend's basement apartment who were so joyful and grateful to have a change of scenery that they barely left those four walls during a weekend.
Set expectations. If this principle is important before you take your kids into a grocery store, shouldn't it be even more so before you embark on your summer vacation? When I find families not having fun together on vacation, it isn't the result of a bad experience, but because of an unmet expectation. Before leaving home, make sure everyone understands where you're going, how long you'll be gone, what you'll be doing, and when you'll be doing it. And if you don't want your kids asking for souvenirs the whole trip, you might want to address that, too.
Plan together. Much like Christmas morning, we've found as parents that we often impose our own wants and needs onto our children. The same holds true for travel. We may plan a trip that we think our kids want, when their summer vacation dreams are actually quite different.
Case in point: We once believed we had to hit a theme park hard every time we visited an area that boasts one. When we finally asked our little ones what they wanted to do most, their answer was simple, "Ride the theme park bus!"
Can you imagine? We were killing ourselves trying to cram in every ride, when all they wanted to do was sleep in one of the park's hotels and ride the buses. By taking the time to get on their level, we realized we could plan a great vacation without ever stepping foot in a theme park (thus saving tons of money in those years).
Both time and money seem to be fleeting, yet there are still many quick, easy, and affordable summer family vacation ideas that can be implemented within the next two months.
After all, "There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven ... I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and enjoy the good life" (Ecclesiastes 3:1,12).
I love these verses. They remind me that while there's a time for everything, there are things to do that are more beneficial than others. Even most parenting experts will agree that quality time spent together is critical to creating a bonded, united family.
In lieu of a traditional vacation, these three alternative ideas can make your time less focused on travel and more focused on time together. So whether you've already planned a summer vacation or thought you couldn't swing one this summer, I'd encourage you to look into one of these options:
1. House Swap
There are a ton of great resources online these days for people looking to rent out their homes for much less than you'd pay for a hotel vacation (while getting much more space). But if you're leery about living in a stranger's house, consider swapping homes with a friend in another town for a week.
That way, you'll save money you'd typically spend on lodging while getting a free house sitter in the process.
2. Camp
I'm not what most people would consider a camping kind of gal, yet I recently went on my first camping trip. Though I can't say it's something I'd want to do every weekend, my kids loved every minute of it. From sleeping in a tent to cooking over a campfire, it didn't take much to amuse them. But if you asked them, they would admit what they loved most was time with mom and dad without any other distractions. If you really want to camp with low commitment, try a backyard camping trip. Not only will you have all the comforts of home within walking distance, you won't have to spend money on gas or a campsite.
3. Extend a Summer Camp
If you're considering a short summer camp for your kids, look into a resort destination that also offers discounts for its participants' parents. When I was in middle school, my dad took me to an intensive tennis camp in the Ozarks. I received quality instruction, while he enjoyed down time at the resort. After the week was done, we'd vacation there together over the weekend before heading home.
Once you’ve taken these tips into account, planning your summer family vacation will be a breeze! Even if time is of the essence, you can still pull together a great trip that will appeal to and include the entire family.
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This article is courtesy of HomeLife Magazine.