Family vacations present a unique opportunity to lead. When we involve our entire family in vacation planning, something special happens. Use the discussion tips to guide your family conversations centered around the questions listed below. You’ll discover the process increases interest, participation, and satisfaction within the entire family.
Discussion tips
- Involve everyone in the family — youngest to oldest — so that everyone feels that they have a voice at the table.
- If you’re not all in the same location for the kick-off discussion, try to use a video connection (via Skype, Facetime, Zoom, etc.) to more effectively connect with the remote family members.
- At the beginning of the discussion, mention any limiting parameters — such as a general budget, or maximum number of days, or acceptable modes of transportation, etc.
- Voice your genuine interest in planning a vacation that appeals to the whole family.
- Seek input from all the kids before you, as the parents, mention your ideas.
- Remind them that ultimately, you, as the parents, will make the final decision about the trip.
Suggested questions
- Where would you like to go?
- What would you like to do?
- How would you like to travel?
- Who would you like to visit?