How a Christian Family Makes a Vacation So Much More

We are 6 weeks away from our next vacation and I cannot wait! I love daydreaming about what we are going to do and where we will be. It is amazing to look through the brochures, with scenic pictures of the big lake, browse the outdoor activities in that area and read about the delicious desserts on the menu of the famous restaurant in town! Sometimes planning the trip is just as much fun as the trip!

My hope and wish is for us to "vacate" our stress at home and have a Family Vacation Reset!

The great thing about vacation is all of the surface aspects - getting away, traveling somewhere beautiful, eating fun foods, and trying new things. Yes, hopefully, you have great souvenirs and pictures to remind you of this amazing trip. However, as a Christian family, our values and mission have more depth than that. I want us to feel more love towards one another, I want us to see God everywhere we go and to be able to be refreshed as a mom, so that I can care for and care about my family even better!

Plan a Family Vacation that:

• Replenishes the soul
• Renews the body & mind
• Rekindles the family relationships
• Refreshes the heart

Check out my YouTube videos and blog posts about DIY Wellness Travel, tips for Mom to rest on vacation and how your next trip can turn into your new lifestyle!

As a therapist and health coach, I am a mom who is always "testing" out healthier and happier habits on my family. At home we have been working to eat better, get consistent sleep and have an overall healthier lifestyle. I have also been focused on how our Christian faith is woven more into our daily life. I know we may skip the veggies and good bedtime on vacation, however, I don't want to overlook the opportunities on the trip to strengthen our faith. Vacation will be a wonderful time to get even closer to God and appreciate all He has created. With the beauty of nature all around us and deep conversations in the quality time together, we can feel more joy, peace and love ~ which is Tranquility.

"But I have calmed and quieted my soul" - Psalms 131:2

As I thought about how I can focus us on connecting more deeply to God and each other, I came up with 4 ways to sprinkle right into the vacation. Not adding to my Mom to-do list, just easy ways that will make this trip so much more. These are all part of the G in the GLOW model. Have you read about my 4 GLOW zones?

My 4 GLOW zones will help your family Find Tranquility:

• God-centered Living
• Love Connections
• Outdoor Nature
• Wellness Choices

Getting Away to See What Matters

When we are in the hustle of rushing to baseball practice and practicing spelling words in the car, I feel like we are not really appreciating what truly matters. We are robotically going about the day. We can be tense and there is lots of bickering. Each person can be annoyed and wanting the other to change - now! We get caught up in things that do not really matter in the big picture. They are not what Jesus would focus on if he was eating dinner with us.

Yet, in the peace of vacation, sitting on a lawn chair watching the kids jump into the pool, I can breathe. I can clear my thoughts and focus on what God knows everyday ~ love each other. Even in the stress, stop and love each other. That may be in a gesture, like a hug, or a compliment about their kindness. It may be an extra trip for ice cream at night, laughing and opening up to each other.

Removing yourself from the stress of the house and everyone's responsibilities gives you each the chance to slow down and remember what really matters.

Family Activity: Each family member answer the question ~ "If Jesus were eating dinner with us, what would he talk about?"

Notice the Positives

As a Christian family, we hope to show love to each other regularly. This can be hard to do when we are fixated on each other's faults or negatives. We complain and have less patience for each other. We can isolate and cut each other off.

Let's take the vacation as an opportunity to reset. Today is the day to pick 5 positives about the person you are sitting next to. Maybe you tell them the positives you notice. But deep down you smile seeing them the way God seems them.

"I am, who I am, before God." - St. Francis of Assisi message

I do not need to impress my family members. I need to be genuine and allow myself, as mom, to be the best version of myself to my kids. I need to be kind to myself and see my own positives. I want this trip to refresh your soul, mama.

Family Activity: Each family member gets a piece of paper and is asked to write down 3 positive things about the person sitting to their left. Share these aloud with one another.

Appreciate Nature

As you look up at the trees and down at the ground, you have so much beautiful nature to take in on the vacation. The blue skies and warm sunshine even warm our hearts. If you are near water, let it soothe you.

God has designed each creature and each leaf. Take a Nature Walk (I made a YouTube video with ideas for your family nature walk and Nature Therapy) and observe and appreciate what you see all around you.

Family Activity: As you go on a walk, talk about what you see, smell, hear and what you can touch.

Pray for One Another

Each morning, I sit and say my prayers. At bedtime, we sit as a family and give thanks to God and ask God for what we need. All throughout the day, I want to bring my worries and moments of gratitude to Jesus. I know the Holy Spirit is there guiding me through.

When we travel, our daily schedule is much different. Our dedicated prayer time may look different. I am hoping that you feel Jesus right there with you on the trip.

Make an effort to give praise aloud throughout the day. "Thank you, God, that they found our luggage!" "Thank you, God, that we are all here together." "Thank you, God, that we had such a fun day and are sharing love with one another."

One of the sweetest moments of prayer is when we pray over our loved ones. Hold your son or daughter's hand and bow your head. "Thank you, God, for Adalyn. She makes us all smile and is so creative. She was a joy to be with today. Amen."

Lift up your kids in prayer for struggles today. "God, I pray over Michael, he has been struggling with his friends lately. Help him to see himself through Jesus' eyes. Amen."

Grow closer to your family members on this getaway through the power of prayer.

Family Activity: Give each family member a turn to say the dinner or bedtime prayer. Giving thanks and placing our requests before God. 

Joy in Scripture

There are so many Bible verses that touch my heart. On the days when my heart is weary, I know the Holy Spirit renews my soul by placing these beautiful words before me.

I have purchased Bible verse cards for the kids. They can select one for the day and talk about what it means to them right now. Bible cards for Kids - Amazon

On my phone, I have a bible app - YouVersion Bible app. I enjoy daily devotionals and selecting verses that lift my spirit. On your vacation, add this to your day. Your heart will be refreshed.

"I pray that God, the source of hope,

will fill you completely with joy and peace

because you trust in him.

Then you will overflow

with confident hope

through the power of the Holy Spirit."

- Romans 15:13

Family Activity: Read a bible verse aloud and each family member draw what you hear the message saying to you.

I pray that this vacation fulfills your heart and soul. I hope that it reconnects your family to one another and to God. I believe that you can turn this next vacation into your new lifestyle!

So glad you are on this journey with me to go from stressed to refreshed! Find your tranquility today! 

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram to hear the release date for my new book with 100 Christian Family Vacation Activities!

Be well and God bless,

Kathryn

Kathryn Gardner is a mom, a police wife and a Christian Catholic. She owns her own practice as a Family Therapist & Certified Health Coach. In 2022, she  and her family, moved from Chicago, IL, to Tampa, FL, to be near the ocean and explore the health benefits of nature. Her passion is helping stressed moms find tranquility! Check out TranquilityMoms.com for the latest blog post and YouTube video. She posts encouraging messages on Instagram and Facebook.

More articles you may like:

• Daily Reset for Mom’s Calmness (in as little as 5 minutes!)
• Marriage on Vacation: Best 5 Conversations to Bring You Closer Together
• Walking on Sunshine and Feeling Happy and Healthy
• Get Away to Bring Your Family Back Together
• Mom Can Rest on Vacation