Summer is almost here; time to plan your much-deserved time off with your family without intrusions.

“Going on vacation is a time to get away and relax, not stress out about,” says Edythe Harvey, MD, a psychiatrist with the Menninger Hope Program and mother of three. “So start making plans now to leave work at work and focus on the most important people—your family.”

Dr. Harvey offers the following suggestions to alleviate stress during your vacation, make the most of your time together and enjoy each other’s company:

1. Try something different. Vacationing when kids are out of school is certainly a convenient time but can be the most expensive time to go on vacation, as well as the most crowded at popular destinations, adding the unwanted tension you’re trying to leave behind. Consider roads less traveled, especially if you’ve already been to Disney, for example. “And by roads, I mean think literally. Get in the car instead of on the plane for your next trip, but only if that is something you know your family will enjoy. You know your family and whether a car journey will help you achieve your goal of relaxing or not. Discuss options together and come up with something everyone has agreed they think they will enjoy.”

2. Do your homework. Having to plan can be one of the most difficult things about vacations, but planning in advance helps you not to worry. Making plans ahead of time, at least a month in advance, and researching what to expect upon arrival will help save headaches when you arrive. Involve your family in the planning, thinking through what’s going to happen when you get there. If you are going to a theme park, eating lunch at an off time in order to hit the rides when there is less of a line will help keep younger children from being upset. Or, don’t put too much on the agenda in one day. Plan a couple of outings and see how it goes. You can always tack on more stuff if you have time.

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