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| Quick reference medical handouts used
by Pediatric offices |
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Are you planning a trip this summer? Make it a success!
by Lynne Reeves Griffin, RN, MEd
"I just got back from vacation and now I need a vacation!" Callie,
mother of three-year-old Ethan and seven-year-old Theresa returned from summer
vacation like many parents of young children. Her vacation just didn't turn out
as she expected. Were her expectations too high? Did she plan the trip keeping
the ages of her children in mind? Included in this article are some important things to think about as you plan your summer vacation and some
tips for making it successful. Believe it or not, your summer vacation can be
relaxing, fun and memorable.
Before you go…
The success of your vacation hinges on how much you prepare for it before you
even leave. As in many aspects of Proactive Parenting, clarifying expectations
and anticipating trouble spots is key. Does Mom want a break from meal planning?
If so, don't plan on a cottage where meal planning and preparation are expected.
Does Dad want a break from his weekly responsibilities? If so, then don't plan a
stay at home vacation where the temptation to answer phone calls and emails will
be hard to get away from. Here are some tips for thinking about your vacation
before you go.
- Assess what every member of the family is
looking for from the vacation. Perhaps you may go away for a shorter period
to a place where everyone gets his or her needs met. This will also help you
set expectations once you get there.
- Choose a vacation spot that is not only in the
financial budget but in the energy budget as well. After talking things out,
if you choose a spot that is a lot of work, at least you will be aware of
any sacrifices you will have to make.
- Keep your expectations low. Tell everyone what
you will do at minimum each day. "We will swim for at least one half
hour. Or we will go on at least two rides at the carnival." Setting
minimum expectations will make anything else you do go along way with your
child. Remember to under promise and over deliver.
- Prepare for travel. Whether you are taking a
car, train or plane trip, bring along food, books, toys and music to keep
both you and your child occupied. Go around your home now and put away some
toys that your child will be excited to see again in a few weeks.
- Scope out your destination. If your vacation
spot is nearby, drive there to see what activities and necessities you have
access to. If it is not nearby, buy a guidebook or use online Chamber of
Commerce web sites.
- Plan at tentative itinerary. You don't need to
plan every minute of your vacation, but a simple plan will help you and your
child know what to expect.
During your trip…
How much you try to do will have a direct relationship to how much fun you have.
You might think I mean, do more have more fun….But I mean quite the opposite.
Simpler is always better, especially with young children. Here are my
suggestions for increasing your vacation fun.
- Get your child to sleep. Your young child
needs the same if not more sleep when on vacation. When my children were
small, my husband and I used to put them in their car seats at naptime and
we drove around our vacation spot. While we were having a delicious iced tea
or coffee, they slept. We got to see our destination at the same time we
held our children's naptime sacred.
- Keep meal foods and times the same. After
eating three meals a day of different foods at different times, you may find
that your child is beginning to feel poorly. Whether you bring some of his
favorite foods or you keep to your mealtimes, you will help your child feel
better and he will behave better too.
- Show your child the lay of the land. When you
arrive at your hotel or cottage, take your child on a tour. Let him know
what the can do's and can't do's are related to where you are staying.
- Share your itinerary with your child each day.
When your child asks, "What are we doing today," it is because she
wants to know what to predict. Again, better behavior is a given when your
child knows what to expect.
After the fun….
Just because your vacation is over doesn't mean the memories won't last forever.
Preserve that vacation feeling by taking an active role in remembering how much
fun you had. Here are some tips for creating a happy ending to your summer
vacation.
- Have a photo night. Don't just forget about
those pictures you took or get them back from the store and look at them
right away. Plan a night when everyone can look at them together for the
first time.
- Help your child start a vacation scrapbook.
After keeping a restaurant napkin, a map or a mountain flower, let your
child create a keepsake scrapbook. This can be a nice activity on a rainy,
post vacation day.
- Have a family meeting. The agenda for your
family meeting especially if your children are older may be what went well,
what would we change and where should we go next. This is a wonderful topic
for a family meeting especially if you don't hold them very often.
Good fun on a family vacation can be a reality for you this summer. With
proactive planning, structure and lots of conversation, your summer vacation
will be memorable. Have a safe and happy vacation.
Lynne Reeves Griffin RN, M.Ed. of Proactive
Parenting in Scituate, MA is a lecturer, writer and consultant to parents,
teachers and health care professionals regarding child development and behavior
management issues. Used with the permission of the author and posted on
kidsgrowth.com 05-31-04
As a reminder, this information should not be relied on as
medical advice and is not intended to replace the advice of your child’s pediatrician.
Please read our full disclaimer.
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