My Top 5 Tips To Take On Family Trips Like A Pro

One of my favorite things to do in the warmer months is to travel. I love a good trip whether it's near or far and family trips are a great way to make unforgettable memories. There’s something exciting (and a little chaotic) about family travel. Whether it’s a summer road trip, a flight to visit relatives, or a much-needed vacation, traveling together can be both beautiful and exhausting. I’ve learned a few things over the years that have helped make the process smoother not perfect, but definitely more peaceful. Here are a few travel prep tips that help take the edge off when you’re heading out with your people:

1. Plan but Don’t Overpack the Schedule
Structure helps, especially when you’re juggling different ages and personalities. But leaving room for some spontaneity or down time keeps everyone from burning out by day two. Always remember it's a family trip, not your personal. It's natural to have a vision of the perfect trip, there will always be deters in some form and you want to be flexible. I often have to check myself (and attitude) when one of my travel companions wants to do something other than what I think we should be doing. But the goal is for everyone to enjoy the trip and that might be just having some downtime and just relaxing for some time and that's ok.

2. Pack Smarter, Not Just More
There’s a fine line between being prepared and overloading everyone with bags. Focus on versatile pieces, keep a shared essentials bag handy (snacks, meds, chargers), and let kids (if age appropriate) help pack their own things with a simple checklist. Packing lists have saved my sanity on many of trips. I'm someone who always has a fear of leaving something important so having a checklist helps me to stay focused and avoid mishaps. I would start with a generic one and customize it to the destination. Also set aside time in advance to prepare checklist, organize, and execute. I find when I'm rushed, that's most likely when something key is forgotten. 

3. Assign Travel Roles
Even if it’s just for fun, having each person feel “in charge” of something directions, snacks, playlists gives a sense of ownership and reduces the “Mom, where is…?” syndrome. Delegating small tasks can facilitate teamwork and ease the burden of trying to do it all on your own. As the kids age, they should have more responsibility in trip preparation and travel, I believe this really enhances the family unit as a whole and allows you to adapt your trips over time which leads to easier traveling as a whole.

4. Prepare for Setbacks, Not Perfection
Delays, forgotten items, moods, it all happens. Having grace (for yourself and them) is part of the journey. A backup plan and a good sense of humor go a long way. I remember we once traveled to Charlotte with our very young children and during the trip the ramp on our SUV for our son's wheelchair stopped working. In moments like these it's easy to let the stress turn you against each other, so it's important to take a step back, breathe, and refocus your energy on finding the best solution or pivot to move forward. The whole trip doesn't have to be ruined due to something going awry. Now even before we head out, I remind myself to be kind, open, and flexible to whatever lies ahead.

5. Capture the Real Moments
It’s tempting to aim for picture-perfect travel posts. But the real gold is in the in-between: goofy selfies, quiet car rides, inside jokes. That’s what everyone will remember. Also remember to be present, sometimes I even forget to pull out my phone because I'm just living in the moment. These times are precious and you want to make sure you take it all in.

Traveling with family may never be fully stress-free, but with a little prep and the right mindset, it can be less hectic and more meaningful. Hope some of these ideas help make your next trip feel a little lighter.