The Do's and Don'ts of Vacation.

DO invited the grandparents to come with. This has many advantages that go beyond traveling baby sitters.

DON'T let the women do all the packing and then get frustrated when supplies are not as accessible as you like.

DO take a lot of reading, even if you're too busy looking at the ocean to crack the spine.

DON'T forget if you travel on Sunday, in the middle of no where Georgia, you may be hard pressed to find a restaurant open. God bless the blue laws that still exist in po-dunk America.

DO suck up your fear of heights to climb up and down 178 steps of a lighthouse with your kids. Nothing compares to the preschooler shrieking at the sight of expansive ocean. OR, her explanation that the lighthouse tells the ships, ''STOP, go that way, don't hit the beach!''

DON'T get too frustrated with service at dinner, except in extreme situations. You are ON vacation. Relax.

DO take your entire medicine cabinet in case a viral monster takes down half your crew.

DON'T set an alarm.

DO take a trolley tour of the town if possible.

DON'T worry about splitting up to do different things for a while. The stories at dinner are awesome.

DO take video of your kid saying ''Herrrmit Craaaabs!'' at random strangers to record their reaction.

DON'T fold your husbands flip flops inside a beach chair...you will forget them.

DO say a thankful prayer when your children behave like angels despite crazy schedules and late nights.

DON'T forget the coffee. Preschoolers get exceptionally excited about the beach, go to bed ridiculously late and wake up at 7am screaming for their bathing suit.

DO convince your kiddo to curl up for story time with Poppy. I only wish I'd snapped a picture.

DON'T ever forget how it was to travel with small kids, you'll need this learned patience later in life for your own grandkids.

DO bring most food from home. These towns know they have a captive audience, you will be overcharged for every miscellaneous food item.

DON'T go on a diet before the trip, this will only lead to frustration when faced with tasty beach restaurant food.

DO stay up late to take a long walk.

DON'T forget to people watch, that's some good, free entertainment.

DO find an authentic ice cream parlor and treat yourself.

DON'T mind that your infant is eating piles of sand, consider it a good fiber source.

DO have those long conversations you'll remember later.

DON'T do too much in one day, remember quality not quantity of memories.