In the fast-paced world we live in that revolves around career, social media and the likes, quality time with our families becomes a rare commodity. The family vacations that we occasionally take at the end of the year then, become the tonic that the family might just need to bring back the laughter and joy that we may have lost through the years.

While travelling with family might be tricky, it can also be an enriching and fulfilling experience if we want it to be. Having returned from my most recent trip with my family, I was compelled to contemplate on some lessons I learned in the trip with the family.

#1 IT’S NOT ONLY YOU

Cater to everyone’s needs. You need to remember that it is their vacation as much as it is yours. While you might feel that you are the one deserving of that holiday trip as a break from your relentless desk-bound job, your parents are also taking a much-welcomed break from their own routines and cyclic mundane daily activities.

So let them in on the decision-making processes in the vacation — regarding where to go, where to eat and such. Sometimes, it is amazing how a little compromise will make everyone a happier camper.

#2 DON’T BE OVER-AMBITIOUS

Contrary to travelling with friends, travelling with your parents is less likely to be intensive and action-packed. An important tip to note is to not be over ambitious when planning your itinerary for family trips. Chances are, your parents will be tired after visiting the 3rd or 4th place on your list and will ask to call it a day.

Rock-climbing or hiking may also be a tad too rigorous (unless your parents are fit and rugged!). Remember that our parents, whom at their age have less rigour and energy than they would like to have compared to us younger people, would tend to feel fatigued more easily. When planning a family vacation, the key is to keep the itinerary fun — minus the strain and drain.

#3 PATIENCE IS GOLD

This may sound like an obvious, but many of us forget that patience is gold when travelling with our families. Like Alex Lickerman aptly put, “We have the least tolerance for the negative qualities of those with whom we spend the most time.”

Travelling and spending the bulk of your time with another person will inevitably cause disagreements to arise. Unfortunately, conflicts with family members tend to cut deeper than with friends and colleagues. Perhaps it’s your family ending up lost every single time because your dad is averse to asking for directions.

On other occasions, it could be the eternal squabble regarding where to go or what to eat. When disagreement arises, take a deep breath and handle the issue with calmness and composure. It’s with family after all — familiarity in this case shouldn’t breed contempt but rather help to resolve disagreements or conflicts.

#4 ENGAGE IN REAL TALK

It’s not every day that you get to go on a trip with your family, so make use of this opportunity to create quality family time. Put down your phones and stop instagramming. Catch up with your parents. Tell them about that new job you just settled into. Ask them about the new car they had just bought recently.

Remember, while you are obsessed about updating your virtual friends about where you are and what you’re doing, there are real people travelling with you and yearning for quality conversations in real time.

#5 OHANA MEANS FAMILY

Sometimes, in the daily career-minded life pursuit where friends, colleagues and our partner gets all the time we have in hand, the family often gets relegated to the back-seat. In a trip like this, it’s time the family gets together meaningfully. Share the laughter with an inside joke or funny anecdote. Shed a tear together with a story reminisced.

A family is far too precious to fade away or to be taken over by work or friends. A trip like this may be the perfect opportunity to recapture the meaning of family and bring back some cheer to the family.

About the writer:
A person who enjoys what life has to offer, Leanne prefers to count her blessings and endeavours to make the best out of whatever that comes her way. She loves to travel and believes that it is the best way to learn about people and places – and in sharing her experiences, it just makes it all the more meaningful.