# Spring Break Survival Guide: Seven Dads Share What Actually Works *By James Hills, menwhoblog.com — Updated March 2026* Written by: [James Hills](https://menwhoblog.com/james-hills.html) Last Updated: 17 March 2026 New!Hits: 117Reading time: 07:55 Spring break family trips sit in this weird space where you want to create memories but also just survive the week without losing your mind. The planning, the driving, the constant "are we there yet" - it's a lot. We asked seven dads who've been through it to share what actually helped them get through spring break without completely melting down. These aren't generic travel tips - this is real advice from guys who learned the hard way what works and what doesn't when you're trying to keep everyone happy while maintaining your own sanity. What came back surprised us. Nobody talked about perfect itineraries or fancy resorts. Instead, the common thread was about lowering expectations, building in flexibility, and finding those small moments that end up mattering more than the big planned activities. ### Aaron Turpen on Vehicle Space and Volume Control *15 years as an automotive writer, Certifiable (Genius)* Aaron's spent 15 years writing about cars and raised three teenagers using what he calls the Love and Logic method. His spring break survival strategy is brutally practical. "Make sure you have a vehicle oversized for your family, preferably a minivan or large SUV," Aaron says. "Because one thing that makes road trips not suck is having the maximum distance between passengers in the vehicle. Trust me on that." His audio strategy is equally direct. Tune to a hard rock station like Ozzy's Boneyard and keep it turned most of the way down. When the back seat gets feisty, crank it up and drown them out. It's not elegant, but it works. The takeaway here is about managing the environment before problems escalate. More space means fewer fights. Strategic volume control gives you a pressure release valve that doesn't require pulling over every 20 miles. (Aaron is the [Founder and CEO of MacAaron Plays](http://www.macaaronplays.com/)) ### Greg Lee on Apartments Over Hotels Gregory works as COO of a Boston-based apartment rental marketplace, so he's seen thousands of families make this choice. His advice comes from both professional observation and personal experience. "The best spring break trips I've had with my family weren't the ones packed with activities from sunrise to sunset - they were the ones where I intentionally left half the schedule blank," Gregory says. Book a place with a kitchen and extra space instead of cramming everyone into a hotel room. He breaks down why this works: you [save money](https://menwhoblog.com/blog/tips-to-help-a-young-man-cut-back-on-his-living-expenses.html) cooking breakfast in, kids have room to spread out, and you don't lose your mind sharing one bathroom with three other humans. His other strategies are equally grounded. Let kids own one day where they pick the activity - his kids still talk about the mini-golf place they chose over his planned harbor tour. Pack a "boredom bag" with dollar store stuff for travel days. Wake up 30 minutes before everyone else for coffee and silence. The biggest one: lower the bar. "The trip where the rental's AC broke and we ended up at a public pool all day eating gas station popsicles? That's the one my kids bring up every year." (Greg is the [COO for Spot Easy](https://www.spoteasy.com/)) ### Dean Rotchin on Ditching the Timetable Dean's approach centers on one core principle: get rid of the rigorous timetable and embrace flexibility. "You have had the best time when you were taken off guard by something rather than scheduled moments," Dean says. His advice is to keep your phone aside so kids see you paying attention rather than checking notifications every five minutes. He recommends getting kids involved in the planning process to make them owners of the experience and build excitement before you leave. Budget an extra 15-20 percent for unforeseen expenses so you're not stressed when chaos hits. His perspective on the imperfect moments is worth noting: "Appreciate the flawed situations. Play the false ways, the foolish games, and the daffies. The latter are the ones that your family repeats during years." (Dean is the [CEO and Founder of Blackjet](https://www.blackjet.com/)) ### Justin Crabbe on Presence Over Planning Justin's advice echoes Dean's but adds a layer about what actually makes trips memorable. "Stop being so much ahead of schedule and have adventure drive the schedule," Justin says. Go to places that will make your children excited and see how your support makes the trip different. His focus is on being present: "Whatever you are doing is not as important as your presence." Flexibility in taking new paths creates the best stories. He also emphasizes taking time each day to rejuvenate yourself - being the fun, involved dad your kids want requires recharging your own batteries first. (Justin is the [CEO of Jettly](https://jettly.com/)) ### Neil Turner on Realistic Expectations Neil is a father of three who homeschools his youngest son, who has autism. His experience with roadschooling - learning while traveling - has taught him what works when plans go sideways. "Start out with realistic expectations," Neil says. "Not everything will go as planned, and the energy and excitement will go up and down throughout. Don't expect perfection and constant happiness over the whole trip." When rough patches happen - and they will - embrace them. Your kids are watching how you handle disappointments and learning how to react from you. His examples make the point. In California, their truck spent a full day in the shop, throwing off the timeline. Instead of focusing on what they were missing, they spent the day at unplanned museums that became some of the best parts of the trip. In Montana, when his son was worn out from trying to see everything, Neil scrapped his busy plan and they spent an entire afternoon skipping rocks in a lake. "I missed out on the sights I had planned for that day, but it was a great afternoon and he still talks about that lake years later." Having realistic expectations not only eases your outlook but lets you value the challenges as teaching opportunities. (Neil Turner is the [Founder of Okie School](https://www.okieschool.org/)) ### Hasan Morcel on Burning Energy Early Hasan's strategy is simple and tactical: do something active with the kids every morning. "Whether it's swimming, hiking, or even just a really long walk," Hasan says. "That way they are more mellow in the afternoons and not so squirmy in their seats when we eat at restaurants or take long drives." He uses the kids' natural energy patterns to his advantage. They have the most energy in the morning and are more agreeable, so that's when he schedules the physical activities. By afternoon, everyone's calmer and you can actually sit through a meal without constant interruptions. It's preventive rather than reactive - handle the energy before it becomes a problem. (Hasan is the CEO / [Founder Of Keys Please](https://keysplease.ae/)) ### Brian Stanley on Building Traditions Brian takes a different angle - using spring break to create traditions that last beyond the week itself. --- {"html":""} --- "Spring break doesn't have to be about finding distractions - it's the perfect time to create traditions that last," Brian says. His suggestion: build a Pinewood Derby car together. He's had countless late nights with his son carving, sanding, and laughing over mistakes. "The best part isn't the race - it's the time spent together." His advice is to start early, take your time, and celebrate small victories along the way. Those moments are the real win, not the final race result. Brian wrote a book and built a business around this idea - creating experiences that carry forward from generation to generation. And he notes that modern times have opened this up: even moms participate in Pinewood Derby now, and Girl Scouts have their own Trefoil Pinewood Derby. (Brian is the [Founder and Owner of Turbo Derby](https://www.turboderby.com/)) ## What Seven Dads Taught Us About Surviving Spring Break Reading through these responses, three patterns kept showing up that are worth calling out directly. ### Everyone Agrees: Build in Downtime Whether it's Gregory booking apartments with kitchens or Neil scrapping his Montana plans for an afternoon of rock skipping, the dads who had the best trips were the ones who stopped trying to maximize every hour. Aaron's advice about oversizing your vehicle hits the same note - giving everyone space to decompress prevents the meltdowns before they start. Plan half as much as you think you should. ### The Surprise: Kids Remember Different Things Than You Do Greg's kids still talk about the mini-golf place they picked over the harbor tour. Neil's son brings up that lake in Montana years later. Aaron's hard rock drowning-out-the-chaos strategy might not make the photo album, but it kept the trip moving. The Instagram-worthy moments aren't the ones that stick - it's the unplanned stuff where everyone was actually present. ### The Permission Slip: You Need Your Own Reset Time Gregory waking up 30 minutes early for coffee. Hasan burning off the kids' energy in the morning so afternoons are calmer. These aren't selfish moves - they're what make you the dad who can actually enjoy the trip instead of white-knuckling through it. Take care of yourself first, then you can show up for everyone else. ### The One Thing: Lower the Bar If you only take one piece of advice from this roundup, make it this: stop trying to create the perfect vacation. The broken AC that led to gas station popsicles at a public pool. The day spent at museums because the truck was in the shop. Those rough patches that feel like failures in the moment? Those are the stories your kids will tell for years. Flexibility beats perfection every single time. Book Your Next Cruise With Heather at Flow Voyages! She is our prefered travel advisor for cruises and all-inclusive resorts. Call: 630-779-9301 or click here ... [Book Now →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/transfer.html?id=617&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flowvoyages.com%2F&site=menwhoblog) We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. **Hey James Hills wants you to share this!**   ---   Written by: [James Hills](https://menwhoblog.com/james-hills.html) #MenWhoBlog MemberBlog MasterThought Leader James' passion for exploration and sense of duty to his community extends beyond himself. This means he is dedicated to providing a positive role model for other men and especially younger guys that need support so that they can thrive and be future positive contributors to society. This includes sharing wisdom, ideas, tips, and advice on subjects that all men should be familiar with, including: family travel, men's health, relationships, DIY advice for home and yard, car care, food, drinks, and technology. Additionally, he's a travel advisor and a leading men's travel influencer who has been featured in media ranging from New York Times to the Chicago Tribune, and LA Times. He's also been cited by LA Weekly "Top Travel Bloggers To Watch 2023" and featured by Muck Rack: "Top 10 Outdoor Journalists for 2022". He and his wife Heather live in St Joseph, Michigan - across the lake from Chicago. ### Cruises and Resorts Thinking about a cruise or all-inclusive resort vacation? We can help you plan your dream getaway ... 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