Ready for Takeoff

Ah, a summer vacation. Time to pack up, take a break, and enjoy a family trip. As wonderful as it sounds, family travel can also be a major source of anxiety for kids and teens. Unfamiliar environments, a change in routine, meeting new people—it can be overwhelming. Fortunately, with some planning and flexibility, parents can help make any summer trip a win-win for everyone. Melissa Mondich, LCSW-C, a therapist with Sheppard Pratt's Center for OCD and Anxiety, offers a few tips on making your summer travel as stress-free as possible. 

• Involve kids in the planning. While parents should still make the major decisions, they can allow their kids the opportunity to help plan some activities. “This will help them feel some ownership over the trip,” Mondich says. If kids are involved, they will also have clearer expectations about the destination, lodging, food, Wi-Fi availability, and sleeping arrangements. 
• Be prepared. Pack travel games and activities appropriate for a car or plane to help pass the time. “You can also give older kids a camera and put them in charge of taking trip photos—something fun to bring back to show their friends,” Mondich says.
• Keep some structure to your schedule. While it may be a vacation, a daily agenda will help kids feel more comfortable. “What time will parents wake up? What time will you eat dinner or have a nap or go to bed?” Mondich says. “Try to be structured around mealtimes and be sure to call ahead for reservations.” Don’t forget to pencil in time for kids to have privacy or downtime if they need it. And be prepared with plenty of snacks and games to pass the time if your schedule is thrown off. 
• Show your excitement. Let your kids hear your enthusiasm about the trip, either by talking directly to them or letting them overhear you talking to your spouse about all the fun things you will do. “Tell them this is going to be an adventure,” she says. 
• Address any anxiety. Ask your child what they are feeling nervous about and help reassure them. If they are anxious about airplanes, familiarize them by looking at relevant books or videos. Challenge their thinking while being supportive. Pack fidget spinners, coping gadgets, or anything else to help ground them. 
• Have realistic expectations. Not everything will go to plan, and that’s okay. Acknowledge this fact and be prepared to pivot. It’s a great way to teach kids flexibility. “You can show them that even if something unpredictable happens, you can embrace the uncertainties and still have fun,” she adds.

In the end, some kids may still not be excited for the trip. In that case, “highlight how valuable the trip is for the family,” says Mondich. “Help them find that silver lining.”