7 Tops Tips for Traveling as a Blended Family


Wondering how to plan the perfect holiday for your blended family? In this article, we provide seven tips to getting it right…


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With nearly 1 in 10 children in the UK living with a stepparent, blended families are becoming more and more common. Whilst forming a blended family can be an incredibly rewarding experience, sometimes it can take a while for family members to adjust.


Building the right foundations is, of course, paramount when establishing your blended family, which family law advice can help with. That being said, going on holiday together could be the perfect chance to grow and connect together.


The idea of planning a blended family holiday to some parents may seem stressful. There is no denying that blended families can propose their own unique set of challenges. However, with good communication and consideration for one another, planning a holiday could be the perfect bonding experience.


Below we’ve devised eight top tips on planning your blended family holiday which will help alleviate any stress you may have and bring your family closer together.


  1. Communicate With Your Partner 


Whilst the main objective of a holiday is to have fun and relax, there are a lot of responsibilities that come with looking after your kids. This may be something your partner is not accustomed to if they don’t have kids of their own. Or, maybe they do family holidays differently to how you organise and anticipate them. Either way, it is important to consider they might not know what to expect.


One way you can do this is by preparing your partner on what the trip will entail and describing how your kids tend to behave on holiday. Explain to your partner any potential difficulties and scenarios they may encounter. For instance, if one of your kids becomes very overwhelmed or anxious in certain environments, you can warn your partner of this and suggest remedies on how to help if the scenario does arise.


  1. Set Boundaries

 

Although preparing your partner with possible difficulties can be helpful, you don’t want to frighten them. You also don’t want them to feel pressured into taking on ‘fatherly/motherly responsibilities’ if it’s new territory to them. This is why it’s important to establish boundaries with one another. 


The goal is to create and maintain a healthy dialogue with each other where you can both address any concerns you may you have and asking if there is anything you can do for them to help. You should ultimately be able to communicate what you are both happy doing and what you may not feel entirely comfortable doing. 


At the end of the day, you can’t assume your partner feels comfortable doing everything you might. Establishing these preferences and boundaries will ease any pressure or anxiety your partner may feel. This will ultimately make the holiday a far more enjoyable experience.


  1. Preparing Your child 


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Kids, in particular, can find it hard to adjust to a blended family. This is why it is very important to make them feel heard and respected. You can do this by making them a part of the decision-making process when organising your holiday.



Try and take a soft approach when speaking to them, as you want to make them feel as comfortable as possible. If they have any reservations, try and meet half-way or work something out together. But, equally do not force them if they are not ready. 


If it’s two sets of kids that are coming together, they will need time adapt to this new family dynamic. Emotions may be running high for the kids as they may feel threatened by your partner’s kids, especially when it comes to getting parents attention. Equally, they may not have even fully processed your separation. Either way, this is why communication is key, as it means you can listen and try and help any unresolved feelings your kids may have.


  1. Plan Together as a Family


Sit down together as a family and have a conversation regarding how everybody feels about the holiday. Two different families coming together can be a beautiful thing, but it is also understandable there may be some struggle adjusting, especially from the kids.


This why it is crucial that everyone is on the same page. By initiating a conversation, you can make everyone feel heard, loved, and supported equally. For more information, HelpGuide have plenty of tips on how to bond with your new blended family.


  1. Set a budget


Taking a trip as a blended family is likely to be more expensive than your average holiday because your families tend to be much larger. You may also have different expectations and requirements. Setting a budget will relieve some of the stress and has the potential to make your holiday far more enjoyable.


  1. Choosing the Right Destination 


You can have a lot of fun when deciding on the right place for your family. We suggest voting on the destination or putting names in a hat so that everyone feels included in the decision.


When choosing a place, you want to make sure you pick somewhere that can fulfil all your needs and is suitable for your little ones. For instance, a party strip in Ibiza may not be the most appropriate choice for a family. 


We recommend considering all-inclusive holidays for blended families as they require far less planning and are easier to book. Package holidays can take the weight off your shoulders if you’re stressed about having to plan the holiday. Instead, you can make up more quality time to spend with your family.


  1. Don’t Neglect Your Own Needs


Whilst it is important to put time and effort into this new family dynamic, don’t neglect you and your partner’s alone time together. Don’t overstretch yourself or you’ll end up exhausted and irritated. Instead, set aside some quality time for just you and your partner to enjoy.


Create Time to Bond as a Family


Going on holiday together is the perfect opportunity to grow as a family and connect on a stronger level. Blended families can be a beautiful thing when you all work together as a team.


However, it is important to put in this groundwork when planning your holiday so that everyone is on the same page and feels loved and respected. Most importantly, enjoy your first blended family holiday!


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