6. Find ways to make meals affordable.

Many families choose to gather at the shore where condominiums have kitchens and cooking facilities. If you're driving there, buy your groceries before you leave your hometown, as prices rise in resort areas.

Plan the meals together, so you can all eat together economically, and everyone doesn?t have to cook each meal each time.

7. Take advantage of the ?kids eat free? and ?kids stay free? options at many hotels, restaurants and resorts.

IHOP and Dennys both offer kids eat free nights, and Luby?s cafeterias here in Texas.

8. Choose a location that has something for everyone.

I remember planning a family vacation as a single parent when my sons were 8 and 18 years old. Now there's a challenge! I wanted a hot-tub experience and first-class, with gourmet dining. My sons wanted to be able to go fishing. We all liked tennis and snorkeling and lots to do and weren't interested in shopping. We decided on Cheeca Lodge in the Florida Keys ? hot tub, tennis court, excellent food, swimming pool, fantastic fishing and a unique environmental camp for kids. We wanted ?barefoot elegance,? and that?s what they offer.

Here are some family-friendly resorts worldwide.

10. Don?t fuss and don?t overplan.

You might plan a few things, but leave lots of space for everyone to do their own thing, announcing get-together times and places, but leaving a lot unstructured. Once there don't try and "organize" everyone; that's not what a vacation is all about.

11. What you should structure.

Plan ahead so you can include some fun things like Foster Family Reunion 2003 t-shirts, or visors with your names on them.

Remember the purpose is to get together and to have fun, so make sure there?s plenty of both!

About the Author

Susan Dunn, The EQ Coach, GLOBAL EQ. Emotional intelligence coaching to enhance all areas of your life - career, relationships, midlife transition, resilience, self-esteem, parenting. EQ Alive! - excellent, accelerated, affordable EQ coach certification. Susan is the author of numerous ebooks, is widely published on the Internet, and a regular speaker for cruise lines. For marketing services go here.