Note: This is Part 1 of a two-part article on summer vacations. Part 2 focused on how to pack, enjoy the vacation, and leaving your work at home. Click here to read.
The major heat wave currently baking the nation is a clear indicator that summer is in full effect. For many families, the warm weather means that vacations and fun in the sun are on the horizon. These trips are great for larger families, but arguably even better for single and divorced dads.
They give you an opportunity to bond with your kids and escape the ills of everyday life, at least temporarily. It seems as if the weeks are flying by way too fast, but there is still plenty of time to plan your summer vacation. Here are some ideas to help you put things in motion and have an awesome trip.
Plan Your Destination
Thorough planning is a must if you want to have a good summer vacation, and it all begins with choosing your destination. While the final decision is ultimately up to you, it would be wise to let your kids get in on the action as well. Remember that their opinions are important because while you may be content with the view of hard-bodies on South Beach, they may be leaning towards a more kid-friendly environment.
If you have younger children, be prepared to encounter noisy atmospheres and possibly strenuous activities that leave you drained by the end of the day. You may not see eye-to-eye initially, but with a little compromising, it is almost certain that everyone will agree on a happy medium.
Try to Save Some Money
The ailing economy has made money tight for most people these days. Fathers who have recently experienced a divorce and suddenly gone from having help with the bills to a single income might feel a much sharper pain in their pockets than others. We could all use some extra money, but a lack of funds doesn’t have to be something that ruins your summer trip.
The perfect vacation is in reach with a combination of creativity and bargain hunting. It isn’t necessarily a groundbreaking tip, but still good to know that travel, airfare and hotel rooms are typically significantly cheaper when booked well in advance and can also deliver savings when grouped in packages. Just be sure to define a budget you can easily manage. It would suck to run out of money while you’re on vacation, but it could happen if you don’t take budgeting into account.
Map Out Vacation Activities
Once upon a time, I had the belief that basing your vacation off an itinerary was a “girly” thing. After a few unorganized and consequently frustrating experiences, I eventually came to realize that it’s actually sound strategy.
If you have the time, I strongly recommend mapping out the activities you plan to conquer before heading out to your destination. An itinerary will help to assure everyone gets to do what they want, while minimizing the probability of attitudes and grumpiness in the process. It is very possible that things will stray off course a bit, but a little structure goes a long way in making sure everyone has an enjoyable time.
Note: This is Part 1 of a two-part article on summer vacations. Part 2 focused on how to pack, enjoy the vacation, and leaving your work at home. Click here to read.
Contel Bradford is a professional freelance writer, journalist, and published author of multiple books. He specializes in many areas, including legal, divorce, and family-related topics. You can learn more about his services by visiting www.contelbradford.com.
