Ever wondered how you reduce the stress and chaos that ensues your family’s return from vacation ? The trick lies in assessing what you and your family will need and preparing ahead of time.
Combating fatigue
Plan nothing for the first day and keep your appointment schedule light for the week to help you catch up on much-needed sleep.
Try to book Friday evening returns so your family can enjoy two leisure days before heading back to school and work.
When faced with multiple connecting flights or long airport layovers, consider staying in an airport hotel for the night so you can return home less tired.
Food supplies
Go shopping before your trip and stock up on first week supplies for your pantry, fridge and freezer. If you know you need specific items that you can’t buy ahead – ask a neighbor for help or contact an area grocery store that delivers.
Some people cook and freeze a few dinners ahead of time to avoid the need to cook for the first couple of days. If that’s not an option plan, keep a few menus from area restaurants that deliver handy.
Stuck with empty pantry and fridge? Head on to the nearest fast-food joint on your way home from the airport and stock up on multiple servings of meals that can be reheated later.
Luggage and unpacking
Unpack anything that is damp or wet like bathing suits and towels within the first 24 hours of arrival to prevent mold. You can wait a day or two for the rest.
Carry your kid’s souvenirs and favorite toy in your hand luggage so you can retrieve them immediately without having to rummage through all your suitcases for them.
Always put your medicines in your hand luggage as well as store an extra week’s supply at home so you have immediate access to one or both upon your return home.
Laundry
Wash the contents of everyone’s hampers prior to leaving and make sure all family members have a week’s supply of clean clothes in their closets to avoid ‘laundry emergencies’
Change everyone’s sheets the day before you go so it won’t have to be done in the first week of returning home.
During your trip place your dry clean items in a separate Ziploc bag to make it easier to grab from your suitcase and take it to the local cleaners.
Mail , Bills and phone calls
Go paperless with companies and institutions so you can keep up with your e-mails and notifications when you are on the road.
Still old fashioned-pay ahead of time or place the stamped envelope with stub and cheque by the entrance to mail immediately upon returning.
Need to tell people know you are back – post a FB status, text or just call two people closest to you and have them call everyone else.
Kids
Acclimating your kids to your time zone is easier if you return on afternoon or evening flights as they can head on to bed and wake up the next morning. If you arrive during the morning hours try to keep everyone awake at least until the mid afternoon despite feeling exhausted.
Stock up on DVDs, iPad games and books to keep your kids busy and quiet while you try to catch some much-needed sleep.
When traveling during the school year, contact your kid’s teachers ahead of time and ask for any homework as well as school work that your kid will be missing so it can be completed in a timely manner.
Adjusting medecine schedules
For trips under a week, it is better to adhere to your original time schedule since it is more of a hassle to switch back and forth within a short period of time.
For longer travel you might need to adjust the medicine schedule to local time even if it entaisl missing a dose or giving it 6-12 hours later.
Remember always consult your doctor before making any changes!
Home
It pays to clean and tidy your home before you leave as you bound to be too tired to do so when you come back.
Turning the water off from the main valve to your home before leaving on your vacation to prevent water leak surprises as well as empty out the dishawasher and washer to avoid mouldy dishes or clothes.
If you have a temperature-sensitive child and live in a hot climate, setting your air-conditioning system at a constant temperature instead of turning it off is best as it could take days for the rooms to cool off.
Have any tips on how to bounce back? -we’d love to hear from you!
These are great ideas for anyone, whether you have an autistic member of your family or not. Thanks.
Carolyn Stone