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Family Vacationing With Small Children and Teenagers

Black-eyed Peas, Justin Timberlake, Brittney Spears, Usher, and then throw in Elmo and Barney and by the time you arrive to your family vacation destination you are likely screaming, “WHY ME?!” It doesn’t have to be one of those vacation moments if you plan ahead. However, you are going to have to plan ahead wisely otherwise you will likely find your plans short lived.

Ipods may be expensive but if you are planning a family vacation, you should consider going to a used electronics store and check out some ipods or better yet, pick up a few cheap ones at Circuit City or Wal-Mart. While it may seem like a small fortune to spend before your vacation, look at it as an investment in your sanity and you are going to need to invest wisely because a vacationing family must have some way to get along in a car when traveling hundreds of miles and the number one thing that teenagers will argue with your younger children over is the radio. Solve the problem now and give your children their ipods several days before leaving so they can download their music choices and be ready to roll when the family pulls out on a vacationing caravan headed for a fabulous family holiday!

Small children will need to have plenty of pillows and blankets for the trip and make sure your teens grab their favorite pillows as well so that they don’t decide to snag a pillow from a younger sleeping sibling while the car is in motion and the parents aren’t watching. The best way to be assured of a peaceful drive to the family’s vacation destination is to plan ahead and plan for everyone’s comfort level while traveling.

Also, since children will need to stop frequently for restroom breaks, pack a cooler with juices and fruits for snacks in the car so you don’t have to stop for food too. Teenagers will probably prefer sodas but just remember there really isn’t any need to pump your

child up on Coca Cola, Dr. Pepper, or Pepsi while confined to a vehicle. Kids have too much caffeine anyway and the last place they need an overdose of it, is in a crowded vehicle.

Family vacations often turn into the family nightmares because of feuding between siblings. You’ve heard the disgruntled parent who states that they “returned to work for a vacation from the vacation” haven’t you? Sure you have! However, if you plan ahead for your vacation, you and your spouse will enjoy vacationing the way it should be enjoyed—with your family!