How to Holiday with Another Family – and Keep the Peace

Have you ever shared a short break with another family? If you have, you may have found that the experience turned your neighbours, next of kin or even lifelong friends into…well, sworn enemies. Living in close quarters with someone – even for just a few days – can lead to all sorts of disputes and arguments you had never even considered possible prior to your trip.

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There are some real horror stories out there that attest to the fact that many families agree to go on a shared holiday… and then swear to do it never again.

It doesn’t have to be this way. A little careful planning, diplomacy and thinking outside of the box can ensure that your holiday strengthens your family friendship, instead of destroying it. Here are a few simple pieces of advice to consider to ensure that you rub shoulders without rubbing anyone up the wrong way.

Ample accommodation

Before you book your accommodation, think carefully about how much space you will need and how much interaction with the other family you desire. Sure, the savings on a shared apartment might sound great in theory, but you might not appreciate the lack of privacy first thing in the morning or last thing at night (especially if there are infants involved). Weigh up the importance of economy against privacy when making your decision, and consider coming to a compromise – such as adjoining hotel rooms or a semi-detached rental.

Activities for all ages

Bear in mind that the children of the other family are unlikely to be of the exact same age as your own offspring, and that such a discrepancy can lead to tantrums and tears. Talk at length to the other party before setting off on your vacation to learn what sorts of activities they normally engage in with the kids to see if you can find some common ground. Things like bowling, beaches, cycling and cinemas are fairly universal, in case you’re struggling for ideas.

Food, glorious food

When it comes to eating habits, make sure that you have total transparency before embarking upon a shared holiday. Danielle Harder, of lifestyle website Canadian Living, shares her particular nightmare scenario  on a shared camping trip: “My sons, who had only ever eaten soy “hot dogs,” got their first taste of the meat variety when the other mother loaded their sticks. I didn’t want to make waves for the sake of two days, but I’ve learned since that if there’s a food issue that’s important to you, talk about it beforehand.”

Going Dutch?

The dinner table can be a battleground for another reason besides the food, too: the bill. There’s nothing pettier than undermining a friendship over a few pounds, but disputes are all too easy to fall into. The best way to avoid them is to ensure that each family only pays for their share, and depending on where in the world you are, the restaurant may be only too happy to oblige (in the States, for example, splitting the bill is a run-of-the-mill occurrence). However, if it’s not possible, there is a whole host of great apps out there specifically designed to save you the headache of manually divvying up your totals.

Consider going all-inclusive

All-inclusive holidays can be a great option for avoiding every single one of those potential pitfalls outlined above – and they can be great value, too. Ian Crawford, Marketing Manager of all-inclusive travel experts Holiday Hypermarket, points out the vast savings you could make on food alone. “If you select a seven-day getaway in a sunshine paradise with your four-person family, the savings could be huge,” explains Ian. “If each of you enjoy three meals a day for the whole week, that’s 84 meals that you are getting included in the cost of your holiday.”

Just imagine doubling those meals with the inclusion of another family, and your savings could well end up in the thousands. You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a luxurious all-inclusive holiday… and you don’t have to break off your friendship to enjoy a getaway with another family.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post