My mother used to say that grandparents and grandchildren get along the best because they have a common enemy! Of course she was poking fun at herself but there is no denying the special bond between the two. That’s why vacationing with your grandchild can be so satisfying for everyone. The grandparent gets to bond with the grandchild creating special memories and the adult child gets some well-deserved kid-free time.

There are many travel companies that specialize in grandparent/grandchild tour packages. They are easy to find on the internet and can be a good choice as many grandparents would rather focus on time spent in the experience rather than logistics. Trips range from high adventure white water rafting to cultural city trips and everything in between. A great way to ensure you select a trip that is both comfortable and memorable is to involve your grandchildren in the selection process. Give them two or three options that you have vetted to pick from and they will feel valued and involved.

Before your trip, make sure you have the proper documents to travel with your grandchild. Bring their health insurance cards and a notarized medical release form. Bring any medications they may take or need. If traveling out of the country do your research to find out what documents you will need.

Make sure you have conversations with the parents about expectations. Are there family rules that are non-negotiable? Are there certain things that the family is working on? Are there dynamics that you need to understand? Communication prior to the trip is vital for a happy and successful adventure. Telling children, “Don’t tell mom and dad,” puts them in a terrible position and erodes trust in the family. And don’t forget, communication goes both ways. Are there things you are uncomfortable with? Do you have rules that need to be discussed? Being clear about expectations prior to the trip can save a lot of confusion and hurt feelings.

Consider incorporating some rest and down time during your trip: take a nap, read some books, people watch, etc. Not every moment has to be scheduled – after all it’s vacation! This is a wonderful time in your life to get to know your grandchild on a different level and deepen your special bond.

Lastly, have a sense of humor, stay flexible and look at the big picture. Remember, most trips have a hiccup or two, which provide you with a great opportunity to teach your grandchildren how to go with the flow and be able to tell a great story about it when you return home!

Source: http://sixtyandme.com/6-essential-tips-for-traveling-with-grandchildren/

Important Disclosure Information: The information contained within this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations. Please remember that past performance may not be indicative of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or undertaken by Schultz Financial Group Incorporated), or any non-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in this blog will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this blog serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from Schultz Financial Group Incorporated. To the extent that a reader has any questions regarding the applicability of any specific issue discussed above to his/her individual situation, he/she is encouraged to consult with the professional advisor of his/her choosing. Schultz Financial Group Incorporated is neither a law firm nor a certified public accounting firm and no portion of the blog content should be construed as legal or accounting advice. A copy of the Schultz Financial Group Incorporated’s current written disclosure statement discussing our advisory services and fees is available for review upon request. Please Note: Schultz Financial Group Incorporated does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to Schultz Financial Group Incorporated’s web site or incorporated herein, and takes no responsibility therefore. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly.