Summer is coming and that is one time families traditionally take holidays. Or do they? While we may love to reminisce about our childhood holidays, it seems that today we are less likely to actually take them.
According to a recent survey for TD Bank, 93 per cent of Canadians working full-time consider vacation time important to keeping themselves happy. Additionally, 92 per cent of Canadians working full-time believe that vacation is important time for reconnecting with family and friends. Yet four in 10 (43 per cent) of working Canadians say they don't take their full allotment of vacation days each year. Reasons included being too busy at work (29 per cent), facing unexpected last-minute problems and challenges at work (25 per cent), and feeling there is too much that has to be done before and after a trip to make it worthwhile (21 per cent). Furthermore, two in five say they can't afford to go on vacation.
When you think back to your childhood, what are your favourite memories? I bet some of them have to do with family vacations. But it doesn't have to be Disneyland or Europe; it might be a camping trip at a lake a short hour's drive away. The point is to take a break and spend some time together.
Going on vacation is not a waste of time; it is a valuable way to connect as a family. It leads to better health, enhanced relationships within the family and improved mental health.
Once you determine that a vacation of some sort is important, there are things you can do to make it possible.
The first step is to take charge of your spending, create a budget and see exactly where your money is going.
Contribute an amount (even a small amount will grow in a high-interest savings account) weekly or monthly for the vacation.
I pay for much of my holiday expenses by using a credit card with a good reward program. Using the card for almost all of my expenses has two advantages.
The first is the accumulation of points and the second is that my statement acts as a monthly reminder of where my dollars are going and if I am overspending in any particular area it is immediately obvious.
Before the days of reward programs when we tended to use credit cards sparingly in conjunction with cash and cheques, there wasn't such a nice clean record for us to peruse.
Mind you, using credit cards this way means you need to pay it off monthly. Otherwise you are doing yourself no favours.
Once you have determined how much time you have for a holiday and what the budget looks like it's time to do some planning. Do you want to travel by car, train or plane? How far are you thinking you would like to go? Do you have some dreams of places you have always wanted to visit? Now, bring the kids into the picture. Let them know what the possibilities are and include them in the decisions. If you simply say, "Where do you want to go?" the responses will either be complete silence or some outrageous suggestions.
Do you want to go camping for a week? OK, mention two or three spots that make sense and let the kids have a say in where they would like to go.
If the money for travel just isn't available, plan a staycation. Camp in the backyard, curl up together on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn and watch movies, or put together a puzzle. Become a tourist in your own backyard and visit the local tourist spots.
The point is to take a break together. And, oh yes, it will be even better if you all unplug. No email, texts or Facebooking. It's worth a try.
Kathy Lynn is a professional speaker and author of Vive la Différence, Who's In Charge Anyway? and But Nobody Told Me I'd Ever Have to Leave Home. If you want to read more, sign up for her informational newsletter at parentingtoday.ca.
