Newsletter – June 2016 – Decisions, decisions – Summer Plans

SUMMER PLANS

Which will it be — How to choose

• Stay and Play – Get into your playful/tourist mind set and explore your own home town. Think about what you would suggest to someone coming from another part of the country.
  1. Create an itinerary
  2. Keep your eyes on the summer adventure (please don’t get distracted by everyday issues/bills/chores)
  3. Explore the Fun Zone – spend time being a kid again.
  4. Spend a night in an hotel in a totally different area of town
  5. Plan your adventure/check out a major event that you would not normally attend

• Weekend Get Away – Plan smart – pick a destination that is less than a three hour road trip and paint a realistic picture in everyone’s minds of the adventure.
  1. Start traveling after dinner, versus leaving work early on a Friday (like everyone else). If you must fly book an early morning, non-stop flight.
  2. Sleep essentials – bring yours and especially those for the children (pillows, sound machine, favorite stuffed animal, night lights)
  3. Follow the rule of one – plan only ONE major event for the day selecting outings that are new to everyone

• Two-Week Rental – Do your research – choose housemates wisely and

double check the rental location and inventory.

1. You may need to take small appliances such as blenders, griddle or beach towels
2. Know the floor plan and review with others and decide who sleeps where
3. Create a grocery spreadsheet checking it with others going on the trip so you don’t end up with multiples of one items and zero of another
4. Remember everyone deserves time together and time to themselves
5. Consider building professional housekeeping into the budget

• Huge Family Reunion – Designate one common place where everyone can gather informally
  1. Rather than cohabitate book accommodations near where everyone else is staying
  2. If there are teenagers and young children, bride a couple of the older ones to be co-babysitters (Teenagers don’t want to hang out with the adults anyway)
  3. Before the event create a code word or phrases that can be stated in front of others that lets Members of your immediate family knows that an SOS moment is being experienced.
  4. Discuss potential conversations such as college plans, professional career, relationship status with young adults
  5. If dining together in a restaurant ask for a fixed price menu (prior to arriving) that way everyone portion of the bill will be the same. If that is not possible ask the establishment for separate checks.

• Road Trip – Research destinations, distances and driving conditions, making necessary reservations ahead of time.
  1. Bring your sense of humor and adventure along with your considerate nature and wallet (no one likes a mooch)
  2. Don’t rely on your smartphone to get from point A to B – you may experience some black spots
  3. During long drives have savory as well as sweet snacks that you purchased at a supermarket versus the convenience store
  4. Have your automobile checked by your mechanic and arrange for roadside assistance, even if your car is in good shape. A recovery company can save the day and subscriptions are reasonably priced.
  5. Calculate distances, and when possible don’t drive more than 600 miles a day (a very long day and close to the limit for professional drivers). Take turns driving so that everyone can enjoy the scenery.

• Outdoor Adventure – Consider planning the adventure yourself to save some money, but do your homework and ask others that have experienced the adventure you are considering.
  1. The outfitter that plans your trip caters to amateurs and beginners too. So make sure you get maximum information from them.
  2. Be totally honest and aware of your level of physical fitness
  3. Be prepared for uncomfortable situations. Be receptive to change in weather and locality.
  4. See and absorb the changes in culture, people and place.
  5. Let yourself loose and enjoy to the fullest.

• Cultural – Sightseeing – be realistic – pack modestly, don’t expect too much out of the kids when they are confronted with unfamiliar foods and a grown up itinerary.
  1. Remember hotel rooms outside the US tend to be smaller, consider using Airbnb or VRBO.
  2. If possible, stay a week (5 days) in one location rather than trying to visit multiple destinations
  3. Designate a leader of the day – one family member per day gets to be in charge of picking key destinations (when planning the trip provide brochures, review websites and assist younger children with their choices)

ABOVE ALL ENJOY YOUR SUMMER

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Summer of Purpose: Summer Planning For Families