“Planning a full-scale invasion of a country is easier than planning a family trip.” So says Marc, the head of the ski school at Quebec’s Mont Tremblant. As everyone braces for the holiday crush, I’ll be sitting back smiling. Because we’ve already taken our “winter break”.  We chose to do our family trip before March Break to spare us some of the insanity. And when my dad asked if we were driving, I laughed and said, “you’re joking, right?  7 torturous hours in a car vs. 1.2 pleasant hours in a plane?”    How quickly he’s forgotten:

• The arguments over music
• Over windows
• Over rest stops  (One of my friends said her mom used to carry a large plastic ice cream bucket for her brother to pee into on long journeys, and no, I’m not naming names.)
• The incessant “are we there yet”, “she’s kicking me”, “he’s hogging the seat” and/or “tell him to give me back my…”

That plane ride is worth every cent (especially since we’d hit a seat sale…) Some Do’s and Don’ts

• Do be patient (I know, I know, easier said than done.)
• Do try to keep a sense of humour (see above)
• Do know that pretty much every member of your family will forget something.  (Keep that in mind when budgeting for your trip.)
• Do have plenty of snacks and distractions on hand (this works for husbands too.)
• Don’t give up alcohol before a multi-generational family trip, even if it is for Lent.  (Trust me, I know first hand how painful that can be.  I didn’t break my vow, but was pretty close to breaking some nerves…)
• Don’t think you can get through this without some fighting.  (Some fantasies are worth savouring, this is not one of them.)
• Do try and get some time for yourself.   (Just maybe not a manicure…)

When Marc asks if the kids all have their boots, poles, goggles, mitts, skis, lift tickets, neck warmers, and helmets, I honestly reply:   “I can account for everything except my sanity.” He gives me a chuckle and a knowing smile and I leave my darlings in his care as I head off to the Tobogan run.