A family vacation can be a magical time. It is the perfect opportunity to make special memories with your every-growing family, and these days are unfortunately numbered. Children grow up quickly, and they might not always want to join you on trips abroad, so you will want to make the most of these days.
The best way to make the most of a family vacation is to prepare, prepare, prepare. There is a lot that can go wrong, especially when young children are involved, but you can put in the work to ensure it is stress-free. This post outlines three of the most important preparations to make before you head off on a family vacation.Ā
Check Everyoneās Passports
No matter the personās age, everyone needs a valid passport when traveling outside of the US. This will be the primary form of identification when on vacation, so you must ensure your own passport and the passports of your children have not expired or are due to expire within six months. Even one passport being out of date can stop the entire family from heading off on the trip.
To ensure everyoneās passports are within date, you should check them as soon as you decide to go abroad. If your child requires a new passport, then you should contact the Bureau of Consular Affairs to find your nearest acceptance facility, including public libraries and post offices, to submit a passport application.
Passport processing times can vary, whether the it is routine or expedited. A passport will usually be processed within four to six weeks, but this can be rushed to two to three weeks or even classed as āurgentā if you have an international flight within 14 calendar days. AsĀ this motherĀ found out, there can be hurdles to jump over to obtain passports for your entire family, so beginning the process as early as possible is advised.
Choose a Suitable Health Insurance Policy
No one wants to imagine illnesses or accidents occurring when they travel abroad, especially when children are involved, but it is best to be prepared in case of an emergency. This can make or break your vacation in some ways, as you are more likely to worry without the safety net of insurance. Even if you have medical insurance in your home country, this might not extend to cover emergencies in foreign countries.
Travel health insuranceĀ is essential when you are traveling with kids. This can cause plenty of curveballs throughout the trip, whether it is an upset stomach or a broken limb during an excursion. A good insurance policy will cover a range of situations, such as emergency transportation and hospital allowances. You must consider your own needs and your familyās to ensure the chosen policy covers everything required, no matter if your trip is only for a few weeks or a full year abroad.Ā
There are numerous insurance policies available that you can research and select from, but you must ensure all of your requirements are met before finalizing the decision. You should select one that covers certain activities,Ā preferred destinations, and pre-existing medication conditions, if applicable.
Pack the Necessities
When heading off on vacation with young children, they might fight to pack all of their toys before anything practical. They might use this as a way to āhelpā you, which is sweet in theory. It might be tough to put your foot down, but you must ensure the necessities are packed into their suitcases before the toys are thrown in.
The best way to ensure all the essentials are packed is to make a holiday packing list. This will include everything you absolutely need to pack, such as clothes, electronics, shoes, and other travel essentials. It is encouraged to do this at least a few weeks before your departure date, especially before a summer vacation that can last a few weeks, to ensure you can buy additional items and double-check you havenāt missed anything.Ā
As you pack, you must keep in mind what items you are not allowed to pack; you can check theĀ TSA website to ensure everything in the suitcase will be legal. This is particularly important if you or another family member takes medication on a regular basis, as not all countries will accept prescription medications.Ā
Additionally, it is wise to keep an eye on the luggage allowance of all suitcases for your familyās journey as overweight luggage could result in extra charges.Ā
When heading off on vacation with your family, there can be a lot of stress to work through. As a parent, you are responsible for the health and well-being of your children, but you are also required to make the necessary preparations.
Three of the most important preparations will include checking passports, selecting travel health insurance coverage, and packing the necessities; by ticking these off your list, you will have a more enjoyable and likely stress-free vacation.
