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We choose the “good friends” with whom to go
“How about going on vacation with friends?” Yes but which ones? This question may seem trivial, but choose among your friends those with whom you have the most affinities in terms of lifestyle and tastes. The challenge of this type of vacation is to adapt to each other’s little quirks. Before departure, it may be useful to get together to discuss how you plan your stay. Without necessarily establishing a rule, explain what time your children get up and go to bed, when their meals take place and how you envision your leisure activities … If you are the type who cannot sit still when your friends only aspire ‘to laze around the swimming pool, it is best to talk about it beforehand. After all, it’s a vacation, and therefore a moment of relaxation: it is perhaps better to give up going together than to risk hell on the spot. So think carefully who you are going to offer this vacation to.
We favor a neutral vacation spot
The ideal, when going on vacation with friends, is to choose a “neutral” site rather than being invited into the grandfather’s house with the trinkets not to be broken and the tiles not to be damaged. . This avoids feeling uncomfortable from the outset, especially with children around. You can either rent a house together or each book a bungalow on a campsite. The idea is that there is enough room for each family: at least one bedroom for each couple, and why not one or more bedrooms for the children. This allows everyone to preserve their share of privacy and isolate the little ones who need to take a nap during the day. Ditto, if you go with a baby who still wakes up at night. No need to share it with the whole household!
We only leave for a week
If this is your first time going with your friends and their kids, it might be good to plan to do it over a week to start. A period long enough to discover yourself and have a good time, and ultimately quite short if you feel tensions springing up during your stay. You can always say to yourself: “phew, this only lasts a week!”
On site: everyone keeps their independence
Going on holiday as a group doesn’t have to mean doing everything together. You can decide to go separate days on certain days. For example, going on a family outing and meeting up for dinner in the evening. Allow yourself this opportunity to be independent and to respect the rhythm of others. For this, if possible, each family can leave with their car in order to be autonomous on site. Want to visit the local museum but that doesn’t appeal to the rest of the tribe? Never mind, you can treat yourself to this moment with your children without others taking offense.
We define who takes care of the children
Going on holiday in a group is the possibility of being able to make the children play together. This idea is all the more attractive when they have a minimum of autonomy or the same age. Beforehand, you will have thought to bring games and books so as not to be short of suggestions on the spot to occupy them. If the children are small, they require constant supervision. Organize common activities (boat trips, mini-hikes…) and make sure that it is not always the same who find themselves looking after the children while the others go to the market. Vary the pleasures so that everyone finds their account and does not feel aggrieved. Going in a group can also allow you to get together as a couple and to breathe a little while entrusting your children to your friends during a party. You will return the favor the next day.
We simplify our life with meals
Unless you have specific needs (allergies to certain foods, still small babies…), make your life as easy as possible during meals. Come up with simple menus that kids enjoy, and try to keep everyone happy with the basics. If you want to enjoy your meals with adults, have the children lunch or dinner before you do. A moment that they will love to share together and which will allow you to enjoy your meal without having to give the little one the mash while the others attack the main course.
We divide up the household chores
Subject of “annoyances” when living in a group: the distribution of household chores. Here again, it is not a question of imposing a precise schedule but of ensuring that everyone participates fairly. So as not to get trapped, do not immediately impose yourself as the fairy of the house: people quickly develop bad habits and you risk finding yourself consigned to the kitchen throughout your stay. Conversely, do not sit on your chair if everyone is helping to clear the table. If you feel that your friends are not really crazy about the household, bring the matter quietly: “Here, you give me a hand with the dishes, together we will go faster”. Do not hesitate to involve the children. They can put their toys away at the end of the day and set the table.
We stay zen with the children of others
One of the most delicate subjects to discuss with his friends is the education of children. There is no doubt that you will be surprised when you discover certain habits of your roommates. Unless you stumble upon excessive things, keep in mind that parenting is really a personal matter. Nothing prevents discussing it if something bothers you but avoid direct confrontations of the style “But why you do that, it sucks!” and value judgments. Nothing like it to annoy the world and spoil an atmosphere. Be respectful of other people’s choices even if they don’t match your own. However, nothing prevents you from intervening and imposing the limits if you find that the children of your friends exceed the limits: “You maybe do that with your parents, that is their concern, but with me it does not happen. not so ”.
Finally, group vacations are also an opportunity for good surprises: discover the tips and tricks of a mother who knows how to make life easier, introduce your children to new games or let them take a little more initiative.
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