If you’re a parent, you may feel like everything you do turns into a military-style operation. It can often be a mission just to get out of the door even if you only need to pop down to the shop for a carton of milk or a loaf of bread. When it comes to planning a vacation, the logistics can be tricky, but don’t let that put you off. If you’re organized, and you plan ahead, there’s nothing to stop you from having a fantastic family holiday.

Making vacation plans

Before you start writing a shopping list of everything you need for your vacation, choose a destination and get all the details pinned down. Until you’ve done this, you don’t know what you’ll need. Once you have booked a hotel and you know where you’re going, you can start getting ready. 

The easiest way to find and book a vacation these days is to use the Internet, which is great news for busy parents. Now, you can make reservations on your phone without leaving home, and it takes a matter of minutes to go through the entire process. Compare prices, read reviews, and think about the kind of vacation you want. If you have children, you may want to look for hotels that have facilities like kid’s clubs or those that are near attractions like parks, beaches, theme parks or zoos. Make a short list of the contenders, and then weigh up the pros and cons. If you’re traveling abroad, it often makes sense to go for a package deal, as this usually works out much cheaper than booking flights, hotels, transfers and car hire separately. If you haven’t booked a package, sort out car hire and transfers before you go to save time and money. You’ll also need to ensure that you have travel insurance. 

If you’re not driving to the airport, ask somebody for a lift or book a taxi well in advance, and give yourself plenty of time to get there and to go through the motions at the airport. You don’t want to be dashing to the gate with kids in tow. 

Shopping and packing

Packing is something most people dread. It can be time-consuming enough when you’re packing a single case, let alone when you’ve got kids too. Children may only be little, but they come with a lot of baggage. To avoid packing-related stress, start shopping well in advance. Stock up on vacation outfits at a baby boutique, buy some travel games and toys and make sure you have all the sunscreen, toiletries, and first aid essentials you need. If you have young kids or a baby, consider taking a lightweight stroller rather than a large pram.  

Once you’ve completed the shopping list, you can start packing. Do this around a week before you go so that you just have the last-minute items to add on the day you travel. If you can get sorted early, this eliminates stress. Keep anything you’re likely to need on the flight or when you first arrive at the hotel in your cabin baggage. 

If you’re planning a family vacation, bear these tips in mind for a stress-free, seamless trip, and have a great time!