Vacation Reminders

Unwinding, relaxing and enjoying time with your family are the reasons to take a vacation. But it's not at all unusual to come home from your trip feeling more tired and anxious then before you left. Without proper planning vacations can be relationship killers. Taking the time to plan correctly can help to insure a more enjoyable time.

Don't dictate the destination

You know where you want to go but you family may have other ideas. Make choosing the destination a family affair. You can't go to Disneyland all the time but if you take the kids make sure it's to a place that they will enjoy. If you have a destination in mind, get the brochures and show them to everyone. While the final decision may be yours, forcing people to go places they don't want to go makes the vacations begin with negativity. Hopefully everyone is feeling enthusiastic as you walk out the door.

Pack the right clothes

Don't assume you know what to pack. Check the weather for the place you are going a few days before you leave. You will be miserable if you are too hot or too cold because you have the wrong clothes. Find out if there are washing facilities. If there are you may be able to pack less. Also, if there are washing facilities consider doing the laundry before you come home so you don't have to dread it upon your return.

Discuss what activities you expect to do

You want to sight see and your companion wants to play golf. How the time will be spent should be clear before leaving. Finding yourself alone and angry will make you want to get the first plane home. No surprises here. Talk about it before you go.

Know your budget

It's so easy to spend too much on wonderful restaurants or souvenirs and then come home and wonder how you are going to pay for it all. Activities cost money and you need to know how you will be dividing the pot. You will feel very resentful if the money goes to golfing and fishing and there is nothing left for shopping and eating. Don't wait until you get there to decide how your vacation money will be spent.

What about the kids?

If you are planning to use child care don't assume it will be there for you when you arrive. Call in advance and confirm your need. If you will be leaving small children in the care of strangers you want to know who they are and what experience they have. You also want to know what activities your children will be participating in, if they will be taken off the grounds, and if the activities are age appropriate for your child. Don't be afraid to ask anything on your mind. If your kids are not well cared for you won't be able to enjoy yourself.

And one last thing to pack......

Don't forget the condoms. Enough said.