You don’t have to feel exhausted, mama! We are here to help you along the way. Use our system of checks and balances to see how different vacation destinations stack up, what their pros and cons are, and if they are viable options for you. If you’ve been putting off going on your holiday because of the logistics, we are here to save the day. Here’s how to choose a destination that everyone in the family will be happy with! 

Step One: Consider Your Budget 

Your budget will depend on many factors. How many people do you have with you? How many are adults? How many are children under 10? How many teenagers will be considered adults but still need supervision? Are you one or multiple families? You have to list down all these different aspects when you start to plan. 

It will give you a fair idea of what your budget needs to be like. You can then decide your destination after accounting for the hotel fare for your whole party. Knowing these factors can also help you get an approximate idea of what your transportation needs and budgets are going to look like. 

Step Two: Consider Your Time 

The second most important thing for you to consider when planning vacations is the time. This depends on when you’re planning the vacation. If you’re doing it during the school year, you might not have time for more than a quick weekend trip or a day trip somewhere close by. If you’re doing it during summer vacations or Christmas break, you can visit somewhere longer. 

You also have to consider travel times when you’re considering how long you want to holiday for. For example, you might want to visit Thailand, which means a full day of flights to and fro. This reduces the time spent at the destination itself. You don’t want to promise your kids a week-long vacation only to end up spending three days in Bangkok! 

Step Three: Consider Supervision 

Consider how much supervision your group needs. If you’re traveling with another family, see how many kids need to be supervised at all times. Teenagers can visit local places on their own, as long as the area is safe. They can also be left on their own in the hotel while their parents have a night in the town. In this scenario, it would make sense to choose somewhere with nightlife. 

However, if your group has kids under 10, they will need their parents with them at all times. Unless you engage a babysitter, it will be unsafe to leave them unattended. You should also take extra precautions if required. For example, you can check the live weather forecast to stay on top of the need for dry or warm clothes if you’re going anywhere with climate instability. You can also decide what gear to bring according to the current climatic conditions. 

Step Four: Consider Rejoining Work or School 

After you come back from your vacation, you have to get back to the daily grind of life. This means returning to work and school, depending on whether you’re the parent or the child. Before you go, you have to assess whether you have any pending work. If you do and decide to go anyway, you have to account for the work. 

Make sure you have time to finish school projects, assignments, and work backlogs when you come back. You don’t want to rejoin after a long vacation without completing your workload or sending the kids to school unprepared. Ensure you and your partner have a few days of buffer time to look everything over and finish projects if they missed anything. 

Step Five: Discuss Options with Your Family 

Once you have narrowed down on places that meet your criteria, your final step is to discuss your options with your family. You can make the whole process a fun, family-bonding activity by letting your kids give their opinions and feedback on the possible destinations. You can even ask them for their suggestions, in case they want to go somewhere specific. 

You can also turn this into a teaching moment and show them how to budget for a vacation. Show them the various factors you will have to pay for when you go on holiday and see if they can assess their vacation suggestions using the same methods. This is an excellent exercise to build financial responsibility in your child.