Family Vacation Over? What's Your Rose? Bud? Thorn?

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Summer travel is just ahead. Packing lists and reservations are getting the final review!

Bon Voyage!

Today, I want to share a fun tradition that we do AFTER the trip.

We each share our…

Rose: The best thing about the trip.

Bud: Something they would like to try next time or do more of next time.

Thorn: Something they did not like about the trip. (Try not to make it weather related)

Was there a favorite location or activity? What do you wish you had more time for your next trip? Did you try new foods and love them or hate them? Did someone get sunburned? Were there bugs?

It makes for a great post-trip conversation and gives great insights for planning the next family trip.

It’s fun to hear each person’s responses. Sometimes there are a lot of similarities, and other times the responses are different, surprising, and eye-opening.

We just returned home from a Walt Disney World trip. Our kids are adults now, but Rose, Bud, and Thorn is a tradition they love and anticipate. He are a few that were shared at the end of our trip...

Roses: New rides, hanging with extended family, the food at new restaurants.

Buds: More “downtime” at the pool. Eat at more quick-service restaurants to save money. Remember that a lot of time can be lost in park hopping.

Thorns: A few ended the trip with a cold.

When is a good time to have the Rose, Bud, and Thorn conversation? It could be the last night of the trip, on the drive home, or at dinner a week or so after the trip.

You can use the Rose, Bud, Thorn conversation starter for just about anything else, like:

Field trips

Hikes

Movies or Books

Sporting events

Concerts

It is fun to reshare the trip and enjoy some great family conversation! The takeaways help when planning the next trip, so take notes and let the kids help plan the next trip!

Here are a few other fun posts to check out…

Parenting Summer Break: Fun Food Ideas

Breathalyzers: A Tool to Help Parents Talk with Kids About Alcohol

12 Tips to Help Parents Keep Kids Safe at the Pool

Family Sunday Dinners: Why They Matter and How to Begin

10 Ways to Teach Your Kids About Voting

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