Avoiding Arguments When Preparing for Holidays | AD

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Dave and I have a little routine when we go anywhere – even on a day out – that always ends in us having an argument before we have even got in the car. I don’t know what it is but the stress of packing to go anywhere, making sure we have everything and sorting the kids out always ends in at least a tiny tiff before we have left the house.

We are apparently not alone as many families and couples start to argue before they’ve even left the house to go on holiday, finding the planning and organisation of any break incredibly stressful. As we are planning to go abroad next summer I have started to think of ways to reduce the stress of planning and to make sure that Dave and I don’t argue – especially not before setting off on our travels.

Here are my top tips for avoiding those holiday related arguments:

• Keep all your travel documents together in a special folder or wallet at all times – all year round. Making sure you have your passports and tickets in one place will save so much stress later on!
• Organise a cattery/kennels as soon as you’ve booked your holiday and make sure your pet’s vaccinations are all up to date too saving a rush to the vets in the weeks before your holiday.
• Book airport parking, a taxi or even an airport hotel for the night before the holiday to make getting to the airport as simple as possible and with a lot less to worry about.
• Order travel money or overseas credit cards and speak to your bank about using your debit card abroad. Make sure you have access to enough money whilst you’re away and that you’re not scrambling around trying to find Australian Dollars the day before your flight.
• Start packing the week before – as soon as things come out of the wash that you’d like to take with you put them in the case ready. Pack anything you don’t use on a daily basis as early as possible so that you’re only left with toiletries, toothbrushes and phone chargers to pack before you leave the house.
• Pack a bag of snacks for your journey as well as activities to keep the children occupied – literally fill your hand luggage with things to entertain the children – bored kids are a huge source of stress for parents!

Do you have any other top tips that would save Dave and I arguing whilst preparing for our holiday? I’d love to hear them. You can find lots more travel advice over on Purple Parking’s website. If you have a holiday coming up I hope you manage to go away without arguing and make sure you have a wonderful time!