How To Plan a Family Holiday

Things to consider when planning a holiday

Age appropriate holidays

Holidays and holiday parks cater to age groups.  Our children have outgrown quite a lot and when we go away now were looking for facilities for older children.  Read the reviews and do your homework.  What was fine last year may not be suitable this year.  Children grow up quickly.  Lame and boring aren't what you want to hear.

Facilities and destinations matter.

Research your destination. Make sure its right for you and your family. Simple things like number of rooms and do they hire buggies and other baby equipment for example?

Is the transfer or journey reasonable?

Having facilities close makes sense. My son was having a football moment so we booked a place next to the football pitch.  He loved it and it gave us the security of just being up the road if needed.

If you have fussy or anxious child is an all inclusive going to work or even worth it.   Taking their favourite foods may be better.

What to pack

Don't stress yourself.  Start early and make a list to ensure you get everything you need.  We usually take far too much and don't wear half the clothes we take.

Plan some things to do for if the weather is poor and to break up the holiday.

WiFi matters.

Don't underestimate this. Its essential for some family holidays. Many places say they have WiFi but closer inspection is that's its just good around the bar areas.

Going WiFi Free?

Someone we met at a parents group was raving about a back to nature holiday they went on in Scotland where there was no WiFi and the point was to re connect with each other and do none technology activities. Not for every family but if you want a break from technology.....

Travelling can be a pain

Don't underestimate queues and busy airports and roads.  We spent two hours coming through passport control at Stanstead. It wasn't a good end to our family holiday.

Cheap flights might not seem so cheap when your all tired and still travelling.

Traveling with younger children

This can be daunting but as Jamilah shares its not impossible.  Plan Plan Plan!!!

Older children and teenagers may want friends to come on your family holiday.

This can be challenging.  A new dynamic. Someone else to think about and you may not see much of your children. You can take comfort that they're having  a good time but it might not be a family holiday but your children are growing up and we must take account of this.  We've taken friends with us but stayed local and the friend came for a couple of nights to prevent falling outs and friendships being tested.

Expectations of children on holiday.

Think of the children hiding under the towels round the pool watching technology.  The parents thinking can't they put their technology down for 2 minutes. The children complaining its too hot and they didn't want to come.  Holidays are for relaxation and part of this is not expecting too much. Try to relax and leave home life at home.  Take a break and do what you want to do.

Technology, is a big draw for many children and there not going to stop just because there on holiday. Technology is a great entertainer for delays and traffic jams so its difficult not to send mixed messages.  Our experience is to give them space and have gentle encouragement.  If they are under a towel watching You Tube don't sweat it.  They'll come out eventually especially if you start playing or encouraging them.  The point is be mindful of who your children are and what they enjoy.  Don't expect miracles and let them have the holiday they want within reason.

Holidays are for you as well

Holidays are just as much for you as they are your children and its not all about pleasing your children over yourselves.  Make sure you have a break. Maybe going with friends so you have company as well as your children could be an option.  You can be in the same holiday park or resort and just meet up without living in each others pockets.

Are you sure a family holiday is right for you?

For us even with the risk of arguments and frustrations the overriding answer is yes.  Holidays create memories of hopefully nice times away.  Experiences are made.  Being stuck in queue at an airport is a pain but its something you all do together and get through it.  Misfortune can bond you just as much as the good times.

Holidays are meant to be enjoyed and don't have to cost the earth.  We've had some great cheap days out returning to the comfort and safety of our own house and beds.

Family holidays provide an opportunity to be together even if its just the car journey. An opportunity to talk and do something different.

So when you are thinking about your next holiday make sure you plan and be prepared.  You may get resistance but this is just natural sometimes. Some children like the comfort and security of being at home and not the fear of an unknown place. Sharing pictures and videos of where your going helps.

We very much hope your able to take a break but not everyone can manage this for different reasons.  If you can't you need to find other ways of taking breaks and doing something with your children. Building those experiences and memories.  Even if it is the classic of going for a walk.  Its all helps.

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Best wishes.  The Parents Support Club

Family holidays can be stressful and like many parents we find ourselves asking should we take a holiday?  Not should have a break as the answer to that is definitely yes but should we go away?

If your children are like ours they're glued to technology and really only want to look at videos all day.  A family holiday provides the chance for a break from the norm but for parents does that ever work?  Are you ever 'off' and do holidays provide the same attraction and enjoyment they once did?

Think about those clips with children round a pool hiding under a towels on technology with parents looking on wondering why they bothered and didn't just a book a local premier inn.

Family holidays are challenging for many parents.  So lets be frank, some parents struggle spending so much time with their children and vice versa, children feel the same.  Family holidays can turn into arguments and not be the pleasurable break you wanted.  Flight delays or traffic on motorways can add to the frustration.

Should I take a holiday?

Family holidays take planning and that's more than just packing the right clothes.  Its what your going to do on holiday and setting the expectations.

 

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