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How can you plan a successful holiday with the kids, parents and grandparents? It’s all about compromise. But get it right and you can create fabulous memories for three generations.
What’s the budget?
The first step in your planning should be to establish a budget. Most families have a mix of income levels, and you don’t want to ruin the holiday with awkward moments at the hotel check-out.
If everyone is paying their own way, you need to have candid conversations about what a reasonable budget looks like, rather than making assumptions about what family members can afford. How will expenses be divided? Will you self-cater, dine out, or a combination of both?
Some family members may be generous - a grandparent who wants to pay for everyone’s accommodation for example - which typically means they’ll get more say in the planning process.
Finding the right location
Everyone has their preferred holiday style. Some of us love to lounge poolside all day, while others prefer sightseeing, camping, or a cruise. Chat with the family about how they want to spend their spare time and what kinds of activities they enjoy.
Then look for a location with enough flexibility to keep everybody reasonably happy, whether it’s a holiday park by the beach, a Fijian villa or an Airbnb in Queenstown. Get the whole family involved in the decision making and allow plenty of time to find compromises.
Space and time together, and apart
For a harmonious holiday, everybody needs time together, as well as time apart. Schedule family events like activities or meals, and also allocate plenty of unstructured time. The accommodation, too, needs to allow everyone to come together, while also providing space to get away from it all. Three generations squeezed into a too-small hotel room is a recipe for tension. And sort out who’s responsible for the chores right at the start of the holiday, so there’s no confusion later.
The babysitting balance
Grandparents are usually thrilled to spend more time with the grandchildren, while parents appreciate the chance to take some time for themselves. It should be a real win-win. But nobody wants to feel like they’ve only been invited along as an unpaid babysitter, so discuss expectations in advance.
Spread the organisational load
There is a tendency in families for one person to shoulder the administrative burden. That might not be fair; will that person get to fully enjoy the holiday, or will they be stressed out about having to organise everything? Try to allocate different aspects of the planning and logistics across the generations. That will also help to get everybody excited about the trip and actively involved in the process of finding compromises.
Capture the moments
Share the role of photographer so everybody is included in the holiday snaps. And take opportunities to photograph the entire group, whether it’s restaurant staff, or other holidaying families so you can return the favour. After the holiday, photo albums, photo magnets or mugs can make excellent gifts.
Create lasting memories
Lean into the advantages of the multigenerational family holiday: shared experiences, mutual support, pooled resources, and memories that span the generations. Hopefully, you’ll all have a fantastic trip and come back feeling more connected than ever.