How to Plan a Family Vacation
Vacation planning can be stressful, but the good news is that you can use project management techniques to get organized, improve communication, and strengthen teamwork. Here are five tips to plan a family vacation that make the process smoother and more fun for everyone.
1) Agree and Get Buy-in 🎯
First, discuss the goals of the vacation with your partner. Talk about your expectations; do you want to relax, exercise, explore, or see family? What’s your budget? Once you and your partner have agreed to the basic objectives and budget, involve the rest of the family. In project management-speak, that’s called “getting buy-in.” Ask the kids where they would like to go and what they would like to do. Even if you end up going somewhere else, including them in the process will help them feel heard and generate enthusiasm. Plus, they may have some great ideas!
2) Make a Plan ✏️
The next step is to create a plan. Discussing the plan with your family helps everyone understand the work that needs to be done and stay engaged. For a family holiday, the plan can include details like how long the trip will last, what you will do, and when is the best time to go. It may be a good idea to write the plan down.
To organize all of the work, list each task, who’s responsible for it, and when it needs to be done. Make the tasks reasonable given your kids’ ages. A variety of task management tools can help, including simple sheets of paper, whiteboards, calendars, spreadsheets, and apps. Choose the least complex task management system that works for you.
3) Have Regular Check-in Meetings 🍽️
Once you have a plan, hold regular check-in meetings to provide updates on what work has been accomplished and what still has to be done. Remind your kids what’s expected of them, like helping to plan vacation activities and packing their suitcases. These meetings are a great opportunity to improve communication and your kids’ problem-solving skills. They can take place over a meal or combined with some fun activities like a family game night.
4) Recognize Your Limits 🛑
We all have limited time, money, and energy. When it comes to your family holiday, think about which is your top priority: meeting a particular budget, meeting a deadline, or taking the highest-quality holiday possible? Keep these limits in mind while planning your vacation to ensure you don’t exceed them.
If meeting a budget is the priority, focus on not spending too much on holiday activities, food, lodging, etc. If you need to take the holiday by a certain date, this may require spending more money, such as if you’re going somewhere during the busy tourist season. If quality is the priority, then you may want to splurge on luxuries like fancy meals. Customize your vacation as needed to meet your family’s needs.
5) Be Flexible, Get Feedback, and Have Fun 🥳
Before and during your trip, be flexible to ensure you’re achieving the results you want in terms of family dynamics, activities, and organization. Focus more on desired outcomes than exactly how you get there, and remember that your family relationships are more important than any schedule or checklist. Ask your family how the planning is going and if they want to change anything. You can also get feedback and make adjustments during the trip to make everyone happier.
I hope you have a great summer and enjoy some time off! 🏝️🏕️
Hilary Kinney is the author of Project Management for Parents, a timeless book that provides resources for busy parents to streamline life at home. She is a certified Professional Project Manager with 17 years of experience at a Fortune 500 company.