Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
pended when traveling. Parents reinforce this misguided intuition by being inordin-
ately lenient in the interest of maintaining peace in the family. While some of your
home protocols (cleaning your plate, going to bed at a set time, and such) might be
relaxed to good effect on vacation, differing from your normal approach to discipline
can precipitate major misunderstanding and possibly disaster.
Children, not unexpectedly, are likely to believe that a vacation (especially a va-
cation to Walt Disney World) is expressly for them. This reinforces their focus on
their own needs and largely erases any consideration of yours. Such a mind-set dra-
matically increases their sense of hurt and disappointment when you correct them or
deny them something they want. An incident that would hardly elicit a pouty lip at
home could well escalate to tears or defiance when traveling.
Thestakesarehighforeveryoneonavacation;foryoubecauseofthecostintime
and dollars, but also because your vacation represents a rare opportunity for rejuven-
ation and renewal. The stakes are high for your children too. Children tend to roman-
ticize travel, building anticipation to an almost unbearable level. Discussing the trip
in advance can ground expectations to a certain extent, but a child's imagination will,
in the end, trump reality every time. The good news is that you can take advantage of
your children's emotional state to establish pre-agreed rules and conditions for their
conduct while on vacation. Because your children want what's being offered
sooooo
badly, they will be unusually accepting and conscientious regarding whatever rules
are agreed upon.
According to Dr. Turnbow, successful response to (or avoidance of) behavioral
problems on the road begins with a clear-cut disciplinary policy at home. Both at
home and on vacation, the approach should be the same and should be based on the
following key concepts:
1. LET EXPECTATIONS BE KNOWN
. Discuss what you expect from your children but
don't try to cover every imaginable situation. Cover expectations in regard to compli-
ance with parental directives, treatment of siblings, resolution of disputes, schedule
(including wake-up and bedtimes), courtesy and manners, staying together, and who
pays for what.
