Make your kids EARN the trip before you leave. We have three young children (7,6 & 2) and have learned the best preparation is make them earn a "star" for each day of the vacation. Generally, we allow about three weeks before the trip for them to start earning "stars" - and you can't be too easy in giving them out. Make sure they understand that on vacation you will be eating at nice restaurants so "stars" are not given out unless they sit at the dinner table, say "please and thank-you" and most importantly follow directions and listen. The threat looms that if they do not earn their "stars" by a set day - they go to Grandmas and everyone else goes on the trip. (Of course, no one has ever failed to earn enough stars). Make sure that the final star is the hardest to earn and they really need to prove they can be good on the trip. Use a calendar with a color for each child and celebrate when they reach their "trip reward!" The younger ones will not get it the first time around - but soon they will be asking "can we start getting stars for the next trip??"
Make your kids EARN the trip before you leave. We have three young children (7,6 & 2) and have learned the best preparation is make them earn a "star" for each day of the vacation. Generally, we allow about three weeks before the trip for them to start earning "stars" - and you can't be too easy in giving them out. Make sure they understand that on vacation you will be eating at nice restaurants so "stars" are not given out unless they sit at the dinner table, say "please and thank-you" and most importantly follow directions and listen. The threat looms that if they do not earn their "stars" by a set day - they go to Grandmas and everyone else goes on the trip. (Of course, no one has ever failed to earn enough stars). Make sure that the final star is the hardest to earn and they really need to prove they can be good on the trip. Use a calendar with a color for each child and celebrate when they reach their "trip reward!" The younger ones will not get it the first time around - but soon they will be asking "can we start getting stars for the next trip??"