The family holiday is the perfect opportunity to escape our busy lives. But family holidays are not always rainbows and unicorns. Sometimes, they bring a whirlwind of stress, conflict, and disharmony. (Gram, 2005) Suddenly, you spend 24 hours a day with family members, 14 days in a row. It can seem like an extreme endurance test.
Parents, in particular, face new challenges when thrown into an unfamiliar environment with limited resources other than their own creativity and a credit card.
The success of the family holidays comes down to a straightforward rule: recognising that different family members have different needs and expectations from the holiday. Here are my tips for family holiday success. This is where you can use your project management (PM) skills.
First, let’s look at what children want from the holiday. They are like quanta of energy and thrive in the company of other quanta of energy. So, make sure your holiday plans include opportunities for the children to meet and play with other children. It is a win-win situation. The kids will have a great time, and the adults will get moments of peace to enjoy the ambience.
Children have an unquenchable thirst for fun and adventure. Beaches, pools, and sandcastles are all on their holiday to-do list. So, be the project manager parent and ensure you have child-friendly activities lined up. Embrace the sun, sand, sea and pool, and watch the children create memories that will last a lifetime. You might even find yourself joining in on the fun.
Now, the adults’ needs. We all know that adults dream of relaxation and quiet times, So the holiday PM must ensure some precious time is set aside for the adults. Find a comfortable spot, meditate, and let the world’s worries disappear.
But it is not all about napping by the pool. Adults crave a bit of culture and nature too. They want to soak in the sights, experience local traditions, and feel a connection with the world around them. So, don’t forget to include some cultural and nature-related activities in your holiday plans. Explore a museum, take a scenic hike, or stroll through the picturesque streets of a local village.
Why not create a project plan for your family holiday? Get your inner project manager to shine using a Gantt chart with different lanes for each family member’s needs. Picture it: swim time, playdates, adult relaxation, cultural adventures—all neatly laid out in a Gantt chart.
What other lanes would you add to your family holiday Gantt chart?
Remember, surviving the family holiday is all about finding the balance between everyone’s desires. So, embrace the uncertainty, roll with the disappointments and utilise your everyday project manager skills.
References
Gram, M. (2005) ‘Family holidays. A qualitative analysis of family holiday experiences’, Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, 5(1), pp. 2–22.