When it comes to planning your next holiday(s), whether it is with your children, husband, family or friends, it could be an agonising or confusing task. At times, you already know or have decided where you want to go. But sometimes you have difficulties in deciding. This section, “Tips”, is intended for those “undecideds” on where to travel, based on who you are travelling with.

I was a single mother (and single) for quite some time since my sons were 8- and 7-years old (they are now both attending university). Before my children’s father passed away, long holidays with the children were split evenly between us divorced parents and we advised as well as accommodated one another in finding the best solution for everybody. One summer, their father wanted to take the children to visit his family in Brisbane. Afterwards, I took over and picked them up and we travelled to Sydney and Queenstown for the remainder of the holiday. When it was just me, it somehow became more challenging especially as they get older; for example: a trip to Disney would not be as exciting as when they were younger. Therefore, when you organise your vacation, you need to consider what is fun for both your children and yourself.

Then comes the latter teenage years when they prefer to hang out or travel with friends more than with you. Yes, this time will come to all you parent one day, so be prepared! My situation was not that bad though, since it has been just the three of us for a long time since they were very young. In fact, my sons and I have an oral agreement that while they are still studying, they will give their mother at least one week in the summer.

There will also be times that they want to travel alone with their friends. Classic example: a boys’ weekend in Amsterdam. I will never forget the mother of one of my son’s friends who found out about our sons’ “secret” trip to Amsterdam a few years back. She angrily blurted out “There are only three things that boys do while they are in Amsterdam.” I leave it up to you to name these three things!

Or when one of my sons and two of his friends (when they were 17 years old) were planning their first trip to this super-exciting city on their own. I was driving and asked “What do you plan on doing while you guys are there?” One of them answered with so much confidence “Oh, we’re planning on going to museums, like Van Gogh, and so on and so forth.” I literally stopped the car on the side of the road and turned to them and said “REALLY?????” Just try keep an open mind and take deep breathes behind them. My advice: make them aware of the dangers in travelling on their own in a city like Amsterdam. And make sure you don’t give them too much money and they have a phone that work all the time.

Although I miss the times when my children were very young and I made them happy by just buying them an ice cream cone after a ride on Dumbo at Disneyland, I must say I also very much enjoy the days that all of us could go into a bar an order shots of jaegermeister or even go clubbing with them! The most precious and best memories you will have is to travel with those whom you love. No question about it.

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