Nearly two-thirds of Americans plan to take a spring trip this year, according to a recent survey by RetailMeNot.
Talk about peer pressure.
But before you feel guilted into a theme park or crowded beach, remember: Your family gets to define what makes a vacation.
Particularly if members of your family are neurodivergent, some of the “traditional” spring trips may end up more exhausting than exhilarating. But that doesn’t mean avoiding a vacation. A little introspection and creativity can yield vacations that fit your temperaments, needs and budgets.
Indeed, most people are adjusting for various reasons. The RetailMeNot survey indicated that — despite an uptick in the percentage of survey respondents planning spring trips — respondents planned to spend less, on average, whether via shorter trips, closer destinations, or more budget-friendly options.
Here are some suggestions:
Fully embrace the staycation.
If your family depends deeply on routine, consider an intentional staycation. Take off work, set your out-of-office reply, and focus on family time with truly all the comforts and routines of home. This option also means minimal travel time and allows you to spend as much or little as you’d like.
Keep the typical ebb and flow of your daily routine, replacing school with realistic outings, and perhaps choosing some favorite meals or restaurants.
We often don’t treat our home cities as vacation destinations. Do a search for local attractions that offer sensory-friendly options. For example, if you’re in Boston and into history, the Old State House offers sensory-friendly times with adjusted lighting and sound, limited attendance, and hands-on activities. The Boston Children’s Museum advertises low-crowd options. Zoo New England has sensory bags and other resources. Various playgrounds, libraries and other attractions also offer sensory-friendly considerations.
But you don’t have to venture out! You could camp on the living room floor, playing nature noises to pretend you’re in the big outdoors; play chef and try a new recipe together; or have kids write fun home activities/crafts on slips of paper and take turns drawing and doing them. You could play movie theater: Use a streaming service to rent a new-ish movie, have your children draw “tickets,” and make popcorn/snacks.
Head the opposite direction from the crowds.
With services such as Vrbo and Airbnb, you can find well-stocked getaways that avoid lines and crowds, fit varying budgets, and offer the environment you prefer. We often mention the benefits of time spent in nature.
Perhaps a private cabin on a lake, stocked with paddleboards, kayaks, fishing gear, and activities, as well as access to hiking and other attractions. You get the benefit of your own space and kitchen while still getting away.
You could head to a secluded beach (Florida’s North Captiva Island allows no cars!); the Southwest offers beautiful national parks and warmer climates, yet crowds tend to be more spread out than in coastal areas; farm areas offer a unique type of beauty, with wide open spaces and room to roam. And there are many more possibilities, depending on your likes and needs.
Don’t assume a destination won’t accommodate neurodivergence.
If you’re drawn to a cruise or theme park, you may have more options than you think! Royal Caribbean Cruises, for example, has an autism-friendly initiative that includes social stories to help prepare children for the trip; expedited check-in, boarding and departure; dietary accommodations; autism-friendly TV and films, toys to use, and activities facilitated by staff members, with pagers and phones for parents when they use on-board child care.
A Disney Parks service allows guests who may not be able to wait in a lengthy queue to request attraction return times.
No matter where you want to go, some research can guide you toward helpful options.
Bottom line: You get to define what a vacation means for your family. Whether caregiver or child, your needs matter; thinking through those needs can yield positive vacation experiences. Not perfect or easy, but positive for you and the people you love.
Families can offer invaluable help to each other. Share your vacation ideas and recommendations with us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
Pariva Health has helped more than 25,000 families and counting — find out more about the ways in which we empower families, offering hope and help, with lots of play and no wait list.