EVERYTHING

FOR YOUR FAMILY

• Babies/Maternity
• Camps
• Education
• Enrichment/Sports
• Family Services
• Healthcare
• Just For Moms
• Party Planning
• Places to Go
• Retail
• CFCOC Resources

vacation planning, continued ...Published: March, 2010

Packages such as these can also be a great option for the budget-conscious, as expenses are more black and white and it’s typically easier on the wallet. Wherever you choose to go, be sure that the destination aligns with your family goal and is appealing to everyone. The clearer you are in this kind of communication, the closer you are to a successful family vacation!

> Set a schedule and plan activities 
At the next family meeting, ask each child for more specific activities that he or she would like to do during the vacation. This exercise will give you a clear idea of what each child wants and takes some of the guesswork out of your plans. When choosing activities, it’s important to know your family’s style. A happy family can make any destination feel like heaven.
   
Do your best to base your itinerary on the ages and attention span of your children, and keep in mind how much go, go, go your kids can handle. Organize different activities depending on the unique personalities of each family member, and fit in at least one activity a day that you know your whole family will enjoy. 
   
Remember that traveling with children is always a challenging adventure. Even the most carefully crafted plans can still be foiled when you throw in unpredictable variables like the weather and … tired kids. So stay flexible, be resilient, relax and enjoy!


GREEN TRAVEL TIPS
While on vacation you need not abandon your normally green way of life.

> Turn off the water before you leave. You can do this with the main shut-off valve.
> Use the luggage tags that come with your suitcase. The paper tags provided by most airlines are not durable, and you’ll have to fill one out every time you travel.
> Request that your sheets and towels only be changed if they are on the floor. 
> Ask the housekeeping staff to turn off the heat or A/C while you’re gone.
> Hold the mail. Ask the post office to stop mail delivery while you are away.
 > Request e-tickets instead of paper tickets.