Planning a Stress-Free Vacation

A few years back, I remember telling someone that I LOVED traveling. Well, fast-forward a few years, add a dog and a child, and traveling has become quite the undertaking. Don’t get me wrong, taking family vacations provides many lasting memories, but it also provides an abundance of stressful situations. However, after a recent road trip, I realized that there are many ways to achieve a stress-free vacation. You want to know my secret? It’s all about the planning.

I received compensation in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own. 

Planning a Stress-Free Vacation

Prepare your home: Make sure your home is taken care of while you’re gone. Ask a neighbor to check on things, turn on your porch light, pick up the paper, bring in the mail, etc. The less you have worry about at home, the more you will be able to relax while you’re gone. For extra home security, check out these 10 simple ways to protect your home.

Make checklists: I find myself making “to-do” lists on a daily basis. I’ve noticed that this comes in handy when preparing for a trip. Make sure you don’t forget to pack anything by making several checklists – a checklist for each bag, items to pack in the cooler, travel items for the kiddos, etc. Make sure to remember road trip essentials with these 2 informative checklists: Road Trip Camping Checklist and RV Road Trip Checklist.

Don’t over-plan: Make sure that while planning your trip, you leave time for free-time and exploration. Don’t plan every second; allow things to flow naturally.

Pack minimally: Only pack what you need. Want to learn how to pack all of your belongings in one bag? Learn How to Pack Only a Carry-On. Also, be sure to check out these 10 Unique Traveling Hacks.

Use DogVacay: Finding the perfect pet sitter for your beloved pup can add stress when preparing to travel. However, DogVacay provides pet owners peace of mind by connecting you to over 20,000 loving pet sitters across the nation – for half the price of local kennels.

Living far away from extended family, we are constantly on the road visiting loved ones. Although our chocolate lab, Gunner, is an important part of the family, he doesn’t exactly travel well. DogVacay is something that a loving pet parent, like me, can really appreciate. By simply logging onto DogVacay, I am able to enter my zip code and view the profiles of awesome pet sitters in my area. Scheduling a meet and greet, pet owners are able to meet their host of choice. With a daily photo update, you can assure your pet’s happiness while on the road. Nothing brings peace of mind while traveling than knowing that your furry friend is being taken care of.

As if DogVacay couldn’t get any better, if you’re looking to earn some extra cash, you can become a DogVacay Host! Whether you’re a professional dog sitter or a simple dog lover, DogVacay allows you to earn money by watching dogs in the comfort of your own home. Create a free profile, set your own rates, and make your own schedule.

Although traveling can provide many stressful situations, by preparing your home, making checklists, allowing free-time, packing minimally, and using DogVacay, you can enjoy a relaxing vacation. For more information concerning becoming a Host or finding the perfect pet sitter, be sure to visit DogVacay.