Take that summer vacation
Hi readers,
We’re midway through summer and if you’re thinking about taking a vacation, we got you covered. I know it can seem daunting… where do you even start. While you’re at it, don’t forget to take pictures of you, mommas, who are often behind the scenes keeping everything together.
Much love,
Nargis x Saa Nasta
Plan your next family vacation with these 6 tips
By Guest Contributor Khurshida Hossain
Bring on the family vacations! You might be knee-deep in planning your itinerary for your family trip. Here are some tips to make that process less stressful.
Plan your trip: No matter where you are going it’s essential to do an Itinerary check. Make sure you’ve gathered all your documents, and print backups of the itinerary. Designate one adult as the person who will carry these documents, so they don’t get lost in the shuffle. Be sure to let your friend or family members know where you are going and when. It is always good to have someone aware of your travel plans.
Activities and Entertainment: Prioritize your activity itinerary based on interest, time constraints, and duration of activity. We want to avoid a roller coaster ride during nap time. Lunch or dinner should be included in your time constraint and prayer time.
If your family needs special accommodation for a particular activity call ahead and make sure that service is provided. This is also a good time to look up halal-friendly restaurants, aim for the ones that are near your choice of activity for the day. We want to avoid driving 45 minutes for pizza. If your family members have specific dietary needs, call the restaurant and be sure they have options for them.
Be sure to look up local summer activities, Carnivals and festivals are abundant during the summer months.
Plan nonactivities: Whether it’s taking a walk in a local park, hanging out in the pool. We need the downtime to reset. Consider planning your downtime sandwiched between two high-activity days.
Pack the essentials: Whether you are going on a road trip or flying to your destination, your carry-on bag should have these essentials.
itinerary
sunscreen
antibacterial wipes
flushable wipes
water bottle
snacks
headphones
chargers or battery packs for electronics
travel size first aid kit
prescription and OTC NSAIDs for both adults and children.
If your kids are old enough assign them a backpack each: And a quart-size zip lock bag to fill up with their toys. (Lego, playdoh, crayons, hot wheels)
Stay disconnected: Remember vacation is about letting go and recharging. So, stop answering emails, calls, listening to voicemails. Designate one person in the family to take pictures that way you are not pulling out your phone and tempted to check an email. And remember to let it go, some things won’t work out exactly how you planned and that is okay. I particularly remember a flat tire during a road trip, we all worked together to replace it with a spare, but my kids discovered a small frog by a stream in the woods where we had pulled over. Now, go make those memories, it is the journey, not the destination.