Ideally, this is what we all want. A family pass with our young kids that is not only a getaway, but a time to bond and strengthen the family unit. We long for the kind of family pass that when our kids get home all they want to do is run to their friends home and tell them all about it and how cool it was. As parents we want fun stories of our trip to bring back to our adult friends as well. As you flip through pass magazines you see photos of smiling, satisfied families on pass and wonder why that can’t be you too.

Yes, that can be you. You can have a satisfying family pass with your young kids that will build happy memories. What it takes is a lot of realistic expectations, finding the kind of pass that works for your family and some planning.

The primary key for all family vacations is to begin with realistic expectations. A lot of parents get discouraged from planning family vacations because they anticipate the world from them and therefore feel they can never achieve it. Realistic expectations begins with knowing your kids and what they are capable of tolerating and handling. Sometimes we over plan our vacations and tire our kids out to the point of irritability, day by day. Sometimes we even want to do so many huge things apiece day that it becomes an overload for their still developing senses.

I believe the root cause of “overloading” or “over planing” our vacations is the feeling that we totally must stuff our days with as much as doable in order to get the most out of our vacation. In reality, the opposite is true. The simpler we keep our pass with young children, the more relaxed we will naturally be. Then, the more we are capable of enjoying the family we’re with.

Think about it. If we’ve packed our day full of things from morning until we crash at night, how much of that time did you actually sit back and enjoy your family’s company? Did you speak or laugh together? Did you enjoy apiece event of the day to its fullest? If you answered “No” to these questions you most likely spent the day hurrying your family from event to event while they dragged behind. At the end of your day, few events stand out as truly enjoyable and your day instead becomes a crammed checklist of things you got done. Adjust your expectations and you will stand a great chance of having a memorable family vacation.

Find the kind of pass that works for your family. Begin by writing down on a piece of paper what kind of things you’d like to accomplish on a vacation. Let the whole family join in on this so you can get a clear appearance on what your family anticipates out of a vacation. Do you pass to rest or to be entertained? Do you pass to educate yourselves or to escape from the world? Once you’ve asked yourselves these questions and anymore you might think of, look at your budget. Then, given the goals of the pass and your budget, move forward in choosing a pass destination.

If you want your pass be educational while enjoying apiece other’s company, then you might enjoy a sight seeing road trip or vacationing on a working farm is what you would enjoy. If your pass goals are to escape and relax, but your kids still want their own excitement, then maybe a family cruise is what you need. Many cruise lines offer “child camps” on board their ship. Most ships do an astonishing job of pleasing your young kids with shows, activities, and even talent nights. This is all while the parents rest in the hot tub or catch a dinner show without worry or guilt.

Last of all, don’t “over plan” as talked about earlier, but do plan a little. Once your pass choice is prefabricated have your family write down a few events you would like to do on your pass that everyone can enjoy. Don’t cram them all into one day, but spread them out over a few days and look forward to apiece event as they come day by day. This way you will have time to enjoy apiece event to its fullest while still being aware of enjoying it together as a family. This way, your memories are guaranteed to be more acute, memorable, and satisfying.

Family vacations are for everyone, and should be planned with each family member in mind. Whether the pass is short, long, luxurious, or more inexpensive – what shapes the journey of the pass and the consequent outcome is having realistic expectations for your young children, finding the right kind of pass for your family, and planning a few events to truly enjoy. Bonn Voyage!

The mortal who first coined the phrase “flying the friendly skies” was obviously not traveling with young children. If at some point in the future you will be finding yourself on a cramped airplane with a rambunctious toddler (or two), first of all let me offer my condolences. As the mom of two boys and a veteran of the so-called friendly skies, I have been in your shoes more than once.

Yes, I know – you don’t need my sympathy, or my empathy, or my condolences. You need help! So, for what it is worth, here are my words of experience (errr, I mean wisdom) on how to survive your next trip:

Toddler Air Travel Tips #1: Do not use the white paper bag in the seat pocket in front of you as a paper airplane!

It does not matter that you spent a small fortune loading your carry-on luggage with goodies aimed at keeping your two-year old entertained for hours. There is an unwritten rule that dictates that your toddler will get bored within the first fifteen minutes of departure.

That white paper bag in the seat pocket in front of you will start to beckon to you, with the promise that if you transform it into a paper airplane or an origami sculpture, that the tiny passenger sitting beside you will be well-behaved for the next two hours of your trip.

Stop – don’t do it! Trust me, as soon as you dismantle the bag, your toddler will upchuck everything he ate for breakfast. And guess where that spew of regurgitated food bits will be directed. Yes, that’s right – you will be the unwilling recipient! Your pants, your shoes, yes, even your brand new luggage, will be covered in the once-digested remains of his breakfast.

My advice – as soon as you board the plane, locate the paper bag and place it where you can grab it within a moment’s notice. And do not touch it again, unless you need it for its intended use.

Toodler Air Travel Tips #2: Do not let your toddler out of his seat when the fasten seat belt lights turns off.

I don’t have to tell you that toddlers have a difficult time sitting still for two minutes, let alone two hours. Their tiny legs were built for running, kicking and jumping.

With that in mind, prepare yourself for the fact that your toddler is going to whine, and squirm, and complain, and squirm some more. However, no matter how much he squirms and complains, do not unfasten his seat belt. If you do, be prepared to regret your decision. Why? Well, freed from the constraints of the seat belt, he will wrestle past you into the aisle, and then his inner instinct to run will take over. You can only envision the rest of the fiasco that will take place.

My advice – do not unbuckle your child’s seat belt for any reason. Superior yet, bring his automobile seat with you on the plane, and strap him in good!

Toddler Air Travel Tips #3: Never make eye contact with the other adult passengers.

Unfortunately, the majority of your co-passengers will not be sympathetic to your situation. There is something about flying, perhaps it’s the cramped conditions, the high altitude, or the recycled air, that makes them forget that they were once children, or had children, or that the world would end if it were not for children. To them, you are the enemy.

My advice – you should refrain making eye contact with the other adult passengers on the plane. Spare yourself the stares and glares, because what you do not know will not injured you. You have enough on your plate, without adding a huge side helping of guilt.

Finally, keep your expectations realistic. You will survive this journey. Perhaps, you will even have your own travel tips and words of wisdom to impart when it’s over!