Oftentimes family vacations are brushed under the rug due to the price tag. However, the benefits that a trip will offer you the family bonding you won’t experience in any other way. There are smart ways to go about planning and financing a trip for families of any size, and, in the end, the family bonding will be worth it. Keep reading to find out more!
Valuable Family Bonding Time
Family vacations are the perfect opportunity to get much-needed time together. Each family member is worrying and stressing about their own personal agendas, schedules, and responsibilities every day. Even if you are all under the same roof, there are all sorts of distractions keeping you from priceless family bonding time.
When taking a family vacation out of the home, you gain this valuable time back. There are many fun family activities you can do together at home. But the chaos that distracts everyone keeps you from seeing the big picture of how precious life is.
Although at-home activities are important, taking a vacation is where the real family bonding will ignite. Before you know it, the kids are off to college and on their own, making it crucial to take time to be altogether to create memories that you’ll all cherish forever.
Communication & Teamwork
There are many ways to create a healthy family dynamic, but one crucial aspect is communication. When taking a family vacation, always include your children in the planning process. Plan and discuss all vacation details together to increase communication skills and build teamwork skills at home.
Start by asking your kids what they want to do, as well as showing them the budget. For example, maybe one of your children wants to see a Broadway show in New York City, and another wants to go to a water park. Can both of these activities be done in the same area? Also, are they possible within the family budget?
Asking these questions is a fantastic opportunity to communicate and decide on things as a team. Once you’ve settled the logistics, give your children more responsibilities before you leave. For instance, have them ask a family member or neighbor to get the mail while away. Also, give them a list of things to pack. Include your children in planning the trip as early as possible. It will help increase their communication skills, and bond as a family.
Teach financial lessons
On top of building a team spirit at home, you can also teach your children about money during the vacation planning process. Show them that going on a trip doesn’t just happen. It costs a lot of hard-earned money. Whether you are taking a lump sum of money from your savings, using airline miles from a credit card, or even obtaining a personal loan, there should be a family budget set.
Then, while picking different locations that offer the desired activities, show them the price of each option. For example, if you wish to use a personal loan for the vacation, show them the amount that you qualify for, and explain that you’re borrowing the money, and will have to repay it later.
Then, walk them through how you’re going to pay it off. Once they understand that this is someone else’s money, they will have to pick something that is valuable to them. Then, subtract the cost of each activity from the budget so the kids can see how much each activity will affect the rest of the money supply.
Doing so is a natural way to teach your children the value of a dollar, build communication skills, and teach them how budgeting works, all while spending time together.
Character Building
After you have built communication skills and some financial literacy, personal growth and character development are also critical skills for your children to learn. Taking a family acation is also a perfect way to shape their character.
When experiencing something new, you could all be a little uncomfortable. The odds are your children won’t all agree on activities. Doing a little bit of what each of them wants will push them all equally out of their comfort zone. Pushing your children, as well as yourself out of your comfort zone stimulates personal growth. When traveling and growing, the entire family will stretch their minds, eliminate fear they may have had before, boost their self-confidence, and promote overall family bonding and happiness.
Big Picture
If you think that taking a family vacation is too expensive. Remember that this is an investment in your child’s overall character, future, and a seamless opportunity for family bonding. Dive into what it takes to go on a vacation, small or big, and watch the positive impact it will have on your family.
An enjoyable read, which is rare these days. Keep it up!