6.If you intend to have a great time together, don’t let anything get in your way. There’s no reason why a visit to ER should “ruin your vacation,” any more than a few tantrums, some embarrassing table manners, a flat tire, or missed plan connections should. Your experience of your vacation is in your own hands.

7.Plan ahead for predictable – high spirits, moments of boredom, and fights with siblings. You’ve dealt with these at home, and they will accompany you on your trip. Think of ways to deal with these under new circumstances – in car, plane, resort, tourist sights, and be prepared with materials you need. A kit with magic markers, some ear phones, a journal or a good book to read can make difference.

8.Anticipate testing of limits. It will only throw you if it comes as a surprise. Children do this in any new situation, and a vacation is full of them. Apply same measures you do at home – make it clear where boundaries are, be consistent, pleasant, and anticipate best.

9.Understand that children will rev up for a vacation, not calm down. Some adults do this as well, of course. Some of us plan vacations where we can relax and rest; others plan mountain-climbing adventures, and barefoot sailing. Some of us plan both! Be mindful about what comes with territory.

10.Allow times for children to work off their energy. Plan breaks during long car trips. Take them for a run on beach before you go to art museum. After formal dinner with Aunt Betty, turn them loose in courtyard to run around a bit.

11.Discuss expectations beforehand. Explain what you can, and what sort of behavior you expect in different circumstances. You can’t cover everything, but you can cover a lot. One thing that’s very important with smaller children is “coming when called.” You can also buy those harnesses for errant toddlers, for their own safety and your piece of mind.

12.Be sure and provide safety equipment – car seats, restraints, life jackets and such. Bring along syrup of ipecac, epinephrine, and other things your physician may recommend for emergencies. Carry a first-aid kit with bandages, Neosporin and tweezers. The same sort of equipment you have at home. Because a vacation provides new situations, accidents can be more likely to occur.

Last but not least, process after each vacation. What did you plan well, what did you plan poorly? What worked and what didn’t? What would you do again, and what would it be best to avoid? What would you do differently? Get whole family involved in discussion, so everyone becomes mindful.

And don’t forget most important thing: find out what everyone enjoyed most. Be sure and go over good times with family, and make plans for more in future.