If you’re having a hard time understanding why anyone would split their family vacation down the middle, consider that we have two young boys within three years of age of each other.  They go to school together, play the same sports, and share almost all the same friends and toys.  When one turns around, the other one is there.  This can make for some pretty tense moments, especially during the long summer months.

When planning our summer, I thought back to an older friend whose sons were close in age, but have since grown and left home – and who return to it, happily, from time to time.  Don’t be afraid to let them be themselves, he told me.  Whether that means letting them get involved in different activities or having different interests altogether, don’t hesitate to support that.

A co-worker recently told me the secret to her family’s sanity:  Though they vacation together, each member of her family gets to choose one activity to do or sight to see, and everyone participates – without complaints.  This tactic, she assures me, is perfect for her diverse group because it guarantees there are plenty of planned activities to stretch through the week, and it also ensures everyone is personally invested in the trip, getting to do or see something they like.

I asked both of my boys where they’d most like to vacation and got two completely different answers.  My older, bookish son really wanted to see the Hope Diamond someday, and my active little guy just wanted to play on the beach.  So they both got what they wanted, and enjoyed every bit of it.  Would we do it every year? Probably not, but it really did help quell the rivalry, if only for a little while.

What do you think? Have you ever taken separate trips with your kids?