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Family vacations: how to navigate family dynamics when you’re traveling Family trips aren’t just about activity checklists and visiting beautiful places – they’re also “stress tests” of sorts: everyday routines are suddenly disrupted and tensions can arise in an instant, with all the overstimulation and tiredness. Here are a few tips to help you navigate family dynamics / By Adi Shalom

terstock Photo: Shut

01 Energy conservation: Detecting early signs of hunger and tiredness is crucial. When you start to sense that the kids (or the adults!) are getting a bit restless and irritable, take a proactive break, instead of waiting for a crisis to erupt. 02 The 2-choice rule: Too many options can be paralyzing - for kids and adults alike. Avoid overwhelming them with the pressure of decision-making by limiting choice to two options, for e.g., ask: “shall we go to the museum or to the park today?”. 03 “Me-time”: Family holidays don’t have to necessarily

mean 24/7 togetherness. It’s important to allow quality me-time both for yourself and your kids - it resets moods and energy levels and gives each person the chance to meet their own needs (play a quiet game or take a nap for instance). 04 Expectation management: Take five minutes in the evenings to go over what you’ll be doing the following day with the kids giving them the heads up about a fun thing to look forward to (ice cream or a fun attraction) means they’ll be more patient with everything else. 05 Keeping a sense of humor: Humor is a powerful tool: it

can turn a frustrating situation (like getting lost or getting rained on) into a fun family moment and instantly reduce stress levels. 06 The bigger picture: Remind yourself and your children: we’re on a trip to have fun, not to complete tasks. If we missed a museum because we preferred to sit in a café and talk – that’s success, not failure! Let the kids’ pace dictate the trip at least part of the time. 07 Keeping a journal: If your kids suddenly feel frustrated or homesick, give them a notebook to draw or write in. It gives them a safe place to let off steam and express feelings.

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12 ATMOSPHERE JULY 2026