While vacations should be fun, exciting and memorable times for you and your family, they can be stressful if you have not planned well and budgeted in advance.

Deciding where to go is the first step to any great vacation.

Although you may have a few ideas in mind of where you would like to go, here are some things to think about before you make your final decision:

• How much do you want to spend on this trip? Setting a limit on how much you are willing to spend on your trip can, in many cases, narrow down possibilities. If you only want to spend $500, Disney World will probably get crossed off the list quickly.
• What are the ages of your children, and what will they enjoy? Think about the ages of your children and the types of activities that might be available to them on your trip. For example, if your children are 2 and 4 years old, going to a large amusement park might be too much at that age. Large amusement parks tend to involve a lot of walking, and much of the rides and entertainment are geared more toward older children and adults.
• How long will your trip be? This is very important because, you don’t want to plan a 5 day trip to go to a city where there is only enough entertainment to keep you busy for 2 days, and vice versa. Another reason to consider the length of the trip is very young children wear out quickly. Therefore, you may want to limit the number of days for the trip.
• Will you be vacationing “in season” or “off season?” Usually “in season” is from about the middle of spring to the middle of fall, and the other times of the year are considered “off season.” Of course, major holidays, such as Christmas,  may be treated as “in season” for some destinations.

Here are a few factors to consider when deciding whether or not to choose “off season” times for visiting your destination.

1. One reason you may not want to go during “off season” times is some places close certain attractions during this time, due to either lack of tourist or proper weather conditions for the particular attraction.
2. One reason you may choose to go during the “off season” months is many times there are discounted ticket prices for attractions, as well as, hotel rooms. In addition, attractions are usually a lot less crowded during “off season” times.

Most of these questions can easily be answered with a little effort thanks to some research on the internet. Although, your children’s interests play important roles in deciding where to spend you family vacation, don’t forget, it is just that - a family vacation.

I have included my family Vacation Planning: Destination Information worksheet for you to download and print. This is how I keep up with information about the specific attractions we plan to visit while on vacation.

Remember though, this is just a guide. Nothing is set in stone. You don’t want your vacation to be so tightly scheduled you can’t enjoy yourself because you are just trying to get from one place to another.

Be sure to include activities that you and your spouse will also enjoy. It’s okay if everything doesn’t particularly interest your kids. It is good for them to learn that others should have an opportunity to enjoy their favorite things, too. Happy planning!

Tips for Family Vacation Planning, Part 2: Budgeting is the next topic in our vacation series. Check back tomorrow, so you don’t miss it.

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2. Tips for Family Vacation Planning, Part 2: Budgeting Welcome back to my vacation planning series. Yesterday in Tips for Family Vacation Planning, Part 1: Deciding Where to Go,...
3. Tips for Family Vacation Planning, Part 3: Don’t forget to take… On Wednesday, we took a look at budgeting for a vacation in Tips for Vacation Planning, Part 2: Budgeting, so...

Posted on April 28th, 2009 in Kids and Family | One Comment

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A happy little train puffs along on it’s way to the other side of the mountain to deliver toys and good food to the little boys and girls. Suddenly, a problem arises. The little train stops and can go no further.

All the toys are disappointed because the boys and girls will not get their toys and good food if they don’t make it over the mountain. Then, the little clown spots a shiny new engine coming their way. Unfortunately, the shiny new engine thinks he is too good to pull the little train over the mountain.

The clown continues to ask other passing engines to pull them over the mountain so that they can deliver the toys and good food. Finally, they find a very small blue engine that is willing to try.

In this classic tale, The Little Engine That Could, kids learn that just because you are small doesn’t mean you can’t do very important things. Much of the time, what we are able to accomplish is a matter of attitude and determination rather than our size.

Tiny Tidbits: In 2005, a full-sized replica of The Little Engine that Could was constructed. Now, many tourist and museum railroad operations throughout the United States host rail tours each year called the ‘I think I can’ Rail Tour. (Resource: Wikipedia)

Posted on April 27th, 2009 in Book Reviews | 2 Comments

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Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. Psalm 145:3 (NIV)

To behold the majesty of the Grand Canyon or the vast expanse of the ocean, I wonder how anyone could deny the existence of our great Creator. His greatness is far beyond our comprehension.

Yet, the same God that created by hand the beauty that we see everyday in nature, loves us even more than all His other wondrous creations. God is so awesome that there is no way we could even begin to comprehend His greatness.

Therefore, He alone deserves our praise; His word says in Psalm 150:6, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Although it is enough reason to praise God just because He is God, we should also praise Him for His faithfulness to us. He provides for us and blesses us everyday.

I believe that many times we don’t even recognize the hand of God at work in our lives because we are so busy living our lives. I am learning to thank God and praise Him for the blessing I am unaware of each day.

Even though, we shouldn’t praise God in order to receive blessings, when we do praise Him, it does open up the doors of heaven for Him to pour out more blessings on us.

Even when troubles arise in our lives and we don’t feel like we have anything to praise God for, remember to praise Him because He is the God of the universe, and because He is going to bring you through whatever trials you are facing. Praise Him because He is a faithful and loving God.

Prayer Time: Take time to praise God. Tell him how awesome He is and thank Him for loving you and providing for you and your family. Ask Him to help you remember to praise Him even in bad times because He is always worthy of our praise.

Related posts:

1. Sunday Devotion: A Shelter in the Time of Storm "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." Psalm 32:7...
2. Sunday Devotion: Growing in Your Relationship with God "See Spot run." I bet we all remember the "Dick and Jane" books that were a part of our early...
3. Sunday Devotion: The Hidden Truth Having been raised in church I have heard this verse most of my life. However, I have to ask myself...

Posted on April 26th, 2009 in Mom's Corner | No Comments

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