Vacation with grandparents

Grandma shows her granddaughter how to tie daisy wreaths and make delicious jam from fresh berries. Little boys are amazed at how grandpa carves ships out of bark, makes kites or casts a fishing rod. Whether a Excursion to the fairytale castle, Badeurlaub an der Ostsee, a Weekend on a houseboat or an adventure day in an open-air museum: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern invites parents and their children to go on a discovery tour together. The family travel destination between the Baltic Sea and the Lake District has many exciting offers, from comfortable hotels with children's entertainment and leisure programs to vacation homes surrounded by nature.

You can find selected offers in the Flyer "Holidays with grandma, grandpa and grandchildren": Download the flyer or Swipe through the flyer online.

Topics at a glance:

• What can you do?
• How to find suitable accommodation
• What do grandparents need to consider when on vacation with their grandchildren?

The suitcases are packed, the hotel is booked and the anticipation of a vacation with the grandchild is growing - time to think about what else needs to be considered when the grandparents want to take their beloved grandchildren on vacation. Here are a few tips on what to consider when traveling with grandchildren.

1. When is it safe to travel with a child?
   If mother or father are not with you, it is important that grandchildren and grandparents have already built up a trusting relationship with each other. Otherwise they could get homesick. A short vacation of up to three nights is often possible from the age of three. From the age of five, it can also be a whole week with grandma and grandpa, as long as the child feels comfortable being separated from their parents. If a familiar face - for example the older sibling - is traveling with the very young grandchildren on their first vacation together, grandparents can take the grandchildren with them for a weekend.  
    
2. Do grandparents need a power of attorney for a vacation with their grandchild? No matter how well grandparents and grandchildren get on: If grandma and grandpa are planning a vacation with their grandchild, a power of attorney should always be issued by the legal guardians. After all, it can always happen that a doctor needs to be consulted. Grandma and grandpa should have the opportunity to make a decision in the best interests of the child, after all, they have a duty of care in the absence of the parents.
    
3. Which excursion destinations are suitable for children?
   The choice of vacation activities and excursion destinations should also be age-appropriate. Parents should ask themselves: "What do I think I can do myself?" and "What can I trust my grandchild to do?" If the children are already older, grandma and grandpa should also take their individual interests into account. A playground is not necessarily age-appropriate for children over the age of twelve. If several children are traveling with you, a compromise should be found.
    
4. Schedule breaks!
   If you're on the move all day, don't forget to take a break now and again. It often helps to find out in advance where the nearest toilets and washrooms are located at the excursion destination and to actively plan break times for a cozy get-together. The grandchildren usually enjoy helping to decide which restaurant to go to. A joint with grandma and grandpa also gives the children great pleasure – so even small breaks can become a shared experience.