We have traveled as a couple, traveled with our kids on our own, and traveled with our kids and other, like another family or grandparents and other family members. There are pros and cons to each of those situations. On this trip, we have traveled to a place where we have freinds to visit, another family with two boys, whose ages are not quite the same as our boys. This other family is spending much of our vacation with us, which is great.

The thing about traveling with another family is that you usually do it because the adults would like to travel together, not because it works out well for the kids. If you are really lucky and plan well, it can make the trip better for the adults and the kids. The key is generosity. Give a little of your time to what the others want, and vice versa. Let the kids from one group choose one activity, and the kids from the other group choose the next. You will not find consensus every time, but you can experince some fun new things you may not have tried on your own.

When the kids are of various ages, it takes a litle more finessing to keep everyone happy. Don't make the mistake of always making the older kids do what the little ones want. One of the advantages to having another family with you is being able to split up. And sometimes that means some of your kids go with them and their kids go with you. This can be pretty handy when your kids start to get on each other's nerves (or yours) because let's face it, you all don't usually spend this much time together.

Although I value our travels on our own as a family, I really love traveling with another family, too. Choose your travel companions carefully, and be open to new ideas, and you will have the time of your life!