Choosing vacation destinations, in general, can be quite complicated. When you have to factor in specific vacation days, flight and hotel information, not to mention reservations of any kind on the vacation site, there’s a reason you hear the saying, “I need a vacation from my vacation.” Today, there is one more particular element to consider that is perhaps the most sensitive issue: the blended family.

It can be traumatic enough for a family to deal with the dissolution of a marriage and the end of the family you’ve come to know, but it can be even more difficult to become a part of someone else’s family because your father knew another father who he has children of his own. Although the idea of ​​the blended family is sitcom gold due to general misfits and antics, the notion of simply becoming the newest member of someone’s nuclear family is not a simple matter.

So how do you choose a place for everyone to go on vacation? There are many feelings to consider. ‘Mom and Dad’ may want to do something fun, exciting and even a little romantic, but that may not be good for children. What about the holiday traditions of the previous family unit? Those may be some of the things that children will become attached to in order to have a sense of normalcy. New siblings may also find it difficult to spend time together and may even resent each other.

It is for these reasons, and many others, that family counselors agree that it is important for children to be involved in any vacation planning. See what everyone wants from the holidays. Any activity that you think is cool? Is there any type of food you would like to try? Give the children ownership of the trip and let them know that they are important. At the same time, however, it is important to maintain a sense of responsibility with this property. You want the kids to be comfortable with all this change, but you don’t want them running the show.

A final key element that is an absolute must is the need to establish new traditions. Everyone in his new blended family still remembers life as it was before. While it’s still important to maintain a sense of stability through those old ways, it’s important to create new memories and traditions with the new family. Once again, ask the children to share a bit about what they think would be a good idea. Maybe something like “Silly Selfie Sunday Seafood” would be a great way to break the ice and realize that the new thing isn’t so bad.

For the blended family, vacation destinations have a sense of the unknown and perhaps unwanted. However, with the right approach, your new family can find the right way to open their hearts to new possibilities.