Why you should keep going on vacation with family for the rest of your life

Ah, the world is such a beautiful place where there is still so much to discover. Did you know that Australia is wider than the moon, for example? And that there are more people living in California than in all of Canada?

No. Neither do we. But we do know what we like to spend our salary on: those faraway trips. Seeing the world. Waking up every now and then with a completely new wallpaper does wonders for your mind. It makes you happier than, honestly: that new summer dress. And if you're still going to book a vacation for this year: don't forget to take your whole family with you. Because that's smart to do too.

I think it works like this: you are with your partner and possibly children, but you can also enjoy chatting, partying, and hanging out with your sisters, brothers-in-law, parents, or cousins. That creates more dynamics in your group, some action in your vacation. You obviously see your own partner a lot anyway, so it’s actually special to spend those long days with a larger group. Additionally, your parents give you a bit more space if you have small children or babies: they are happy to babysit for a day while you enjoy that oh-so-delicious light pink rosé in that local beach club. Even if you don’t have kids, it can help: if your exhausted man wants to read a book and catch up on sleep for a day, then you can go out with your mother and shop. Or exercise with your sister-in-law. Or visit that nice little village with your father. Win-win, I tell you. Everyone is happy. Everyone can go their own way.

As much as I love leaving for Spain with the whole bunch, I am a little bit on my own. Four out of ten Dutch people prefer to stay home rather than go on vacation with their (in-law) family, research shows. And then people also prefer not to sleep in the same house as their in-laws. Well. Everyone can decide for themselves, of course, but I am already booking the next family holiday. Italy, next year?

If you’re still in doubt, here are 7 reasons why you should go on vacation with family for the rest of your life:

1. Parents help you like only they can. Or your in-laws. With babysitting, cleaning, packing, grocery shopping, tidying up, renting cars, setting up tents, renting beach beds. That idea.
2. You can do something with everyone in the group that you enjoy. If you feel like shopping or lying on a beach bed for a day, there’s always someone who will join you. It’s harder with just your lover.
3. You share valuable moments together. You can talk about it again at the Christmas dinner, about that record with the tennis rackets in the pool.
4. That social chit-chat all day long makes you happy. You don’t feel alone for a second. It lifts you up.
5. Family is different from friends. Because with family, you can be yourself more easily and say: not now. Now I’m going to take a nap, bye. Now I’m going to read a book. In short: if you want, time for yourself. But it doesn’t have to be.
6. Maybe a bit dramatic, but I sometimes think: how long can it last? With my parents so far away in the sun, to the mountains, to nature, to the world? One day it won’t be possible anymore, that’s inevitable. Do it now.
7. Vacation provides real quality time. Not just a quick dinner, a fast lunch, a half babysitting day with a cup of coffee in ten minutes. Real time together, without being disturbed by appointments, work, life. And that’s what it’s all about in the end.