Must-have family vacation—GL's survival guide

Girls' Life, June-July, 2005 by Apryl Lundsten

Hitting the road with the fam this summer? First, read our well laid-out plan for keeping your cool--even if you're stuck in a sticky back seat with your brother's stinky feet.

You and your family are packing up and going to the Grand Canyon or Disneyland or Wally World or Wherever USA. You're looking forward to globetrotting, but sharing a double bed in a motel room with your sister who snores or enduring Dad's beach-blanket backgammon obsession isn't your idea of a great time. Spending every minute with the dearly-beloveds is, well, not exactly a walk in Yellowstone National Park. That's why GL has it all mapped out for you....

Leader of the Pack

First things first ... Get packin'! Living out of a suitcase is tricky, so you want to get it right. Sure, it'd be great if you could lug your whole closet with you, but get real. You just have to know the right clothes to bring. That way, getting dressed for any summer sitch--from a day at the amusement park to a beach bonfire--will be a no brainer.

Two things to keep in mind when stocking your suitcase: comfort and layers. You'll probably be walking a lot--whether wandering around a museum, trekking the mall or strolling the boardwalk--so comfy shoes are a must. Pack some sneaks to keep your tootsies happy for the long haul. As for layering, it provides stylish and practical what-to-wear options. You can change your look by throwing a tank over a tee, and it's one-weather-forecast-fits-all. Peel the tank off if it's steamy; put it back on when a beachy breeze blows in.

Plan one outfit for each day. Say you're going on a five-day trip, here's a good rule of thumb for summer-packin': two pairs of jeans, two pairs of shorts, a pair of capris or cargos, and five tops. Make sure all your outfits complement each other so you can mix 'n' match 'em up. Pack all pastels, or go with lots of khaki, denim and shades of red. If you need an extra outfit, you can pair yesterday's top with the bell-bottoms from the day before. Refresh your clothes by airing 'em out on a hanger overnight (do not do this more than once, and forget it for barbecue stains).

If you'll be swimming a lot, take two bathing suits so you'll have a dry one at all times. You'll probably have to dress nicely for dinner at least once--a sundress is comfy and can be paired with a sweater and flip-flops. Flips-flops are great with jeans, shorts or dresses. And don't forget undies and socks--plan on having clean ones daily (dub).

Tour de Force

Morn wants to hit the boutiques, Dad's gonna tee up, and your brother's razzmatazzed about roller coasters. You'd rather hang on the boardwalk and soak up the local scene. There are only so many days in a weeklong vacation. Before you hop in the Winnebago, get everyone to talk about what they want (and don't want) to do on vacation.

Maybe you're into going to the outdoor reggae lest but aren't interested in the presidents-in-wax museum. You're not the only one going on this trip--Mom, Dad and big sis have different visions of the perfect vacation--so be willing to listen to what everyone wants. You'll probably have to cave in at times (hey, who knew spelunking was going to be so cool?). But maybe in exchange for going to the botanical gardens with Mom, she'll take you to The Costume Institute. Or negotiate an alternate plan for yourself during outings you're really not into--like, have Dad drop you and your sis off at a Monster-in-Law matinee while the rest of the family attends the basket-weaving workshop.

You should also hash out daily schedules. Mom might want to pack in major sightseeing, while everyone else would be happier lounging by the pool all day. Discussing vacation needs and wants before you go sets an in-the-know vibe.

On the Road

Squished in the back seat with your sister, Rover and Aunt Gertrude for a road trip is worse than being sandwiched between your school's dumb-and-dumber duo at an auditorium assembly. Whether you're driving, flying or taking a cruise, being cooped in cramped quarters for long periods of time just plain sucks. But there are things you can do to make travel time more bearable:

* Bring a decent stash of books, magazines and handheld games so you have something to do other than stare out the window counting road signs. Also, fill baggies with your fave snacks so you'll have stuff to nibble on when you get the munchies (pack enough to share).

* Have an MP3 or CD player--with headphones. You'll avoid arguments over what kind of music to pump from the car stereo. Plus, you can tune out your parents' classic-rock station ... and your sister whining, "Are we there yet?"

* Trade seats every once in a while for a change of scenery. Also, make stops for bathroom breaks, leg-stretching, sightseeing and drink refills. Breaking up a long ride makes it seem shorter.

Tripped-Out Parents

Spending 24/7 with the 'rents can be difficult, for sure. And vacations bring up all kinds of stressful situations. Frustration, anger and even arguing while traveling is normal. But ditch the drama by keeping a few things in mind.