Family trips are one of my favorite things to do with my loved ones. They’re the perfect opportunity to escape your everyday routines and experience unique adventures with your family. They create life lessons and experiences that stay with you beyond your week-long getaway.

Family vacations are a great way to build strong bonds and connections with your partner and kids. Below are a few reasons for how family trips help your family flourish.  

Travel slower

Traveling can be hectic. Whether it’s a long road trip by car or a chaotic trip by air, it seems like travel has become a hectic experience for most travelers. This is why I love traveling with family. Whether your kids are tiny or grown, traveling with family requires us to slow down. This is important because it helps us be present throughout the entire experience. Something you’ll be glad you did when you get back home.

Focus on family

In today’s busy world, it seems like we’re always on the go. We’re either working, talking about work, or thinking about work. Either way, it leaves little time to sit down and enjoy your family. Family trips change that. No matter how busy you are in your everyday life, family vacations allow you time to be fully present with your favorite people.

Practice patience

Whether you’re on a beach or at an amusement park, family trips give you many opportunities to practice patience. My family and I make an annual trip to Disneyland to celebrate my daughter’s birthday every March. While we truly believe it’s the “Happiest Place on Earth”, the lines to experience each ride can be up to an hour wait. This is a great opportunity for her to practice patience as she eagerly awaits the ride. It also helps us practice our patience with her as she learns to navigate what it means to be patient in the first place.

Time for conversations

While I enjoy our family conversations on a typical day, nothing beats the conversations that are had during a family vacation. For the most part, there are fewer distractions and more opportunities to connect with your loved one. Whether it’s in a restaurant dinner table, during your 6-hour road trip, or waiting in line for a ride at Disneyland, these conversations will turn out to be your favorite part of your entire trip.

Return refreshed

Taking frequent breaks during your regular workday is one of the most recommended tips for productivity. I feel the same way when it comes to family vacations. While your home is a sacred and valuable place, sometimes you need some time away to value what you have right in your home. I love family trips because returning home feels incredible. My family often feels refreshed, recharged, and ready to take on what’s ahead of us.