Take a Family Vacation and Leave the Iron Fist at Home

While camping is a wonderful way to get close to nature and provide your kids with a new adventure, it can be hard to maintain a sense of authority with so much going on at once. We’re all more relaxed during a camping vacation, making it increasingly hard to keep control of our kids. Simply put, the outdoors seem to cast a spell over normally-edgy moms and dads; we just can’t seem to find the motivation to stick to time-outs or deliver punishments.

There’s nothing worse than embarking on a stress-free vacation, only to discover that the campers next-door are constantly yelling at their kids. Campsites rely heavily on mutual respect – no loud music after a certain hour, vehicle speed restrictions, and maintaining invisible borders… but what about discipline? We all lose our tempers from time to time, so it’s important to think about the vacation before it happens. After all, family trips are about sharing, bonding, and relaxing.

Personally, I think it’s important to keep a safe distance from technology during camping trips. While a late-night movie in a trailer or RV is fine, cell phone, computer, and PDA use should be kept to a minimum. I’m as guilty as anyone else. No matter how many times I tell myself I’m going to relax, I’m back on the computer within minutes – but if a ‘break’ is what you’re after, you need to decide what you need a break from, or the plan is sure to backfire.

Before your next camping trip, think about the major stressors in your life. Is it work? If so, can you take a vacation without work interfering in your day? Most of the time, outside stress adds to our ability to parent calmly. It’s impossible to keep your cool with 20 other problems weighing on your mind. Use your camping adventure as an excuse to reconnect with your kids and break old habits. Choose your battles, as they say.

If your family vacation consists of a campout filled with arguments, you might as well stay home. Make the most of your travels and teach your children that summer holidays are supposed to be fun and carefree.

Remember, happy parents make for happy kids.