Travelling is one of life’s greatest gifts, be it soaking up the sun or learning about the history and culture of a new location, and now that the children are that bit older travelling is even better. Through blogging we have had some wonderful travel opportunities including Corsica, Trevella and even cruising. When you have really young children, holidays are, of course fun, but they are also hard work. You imagine being able to lie on a beach and feel the heat of the sun. In reality we would be dashing from sun to shade and sitting perched on sun loungers watching a little person in the splash pool or playing. The reality Vs the dream.
Now that ours are older, our ten days in the sun really do encompass what I imagine, is the perfect holiday. The children enjoy eating in different places and trying new foods, they are adventurous and like to explore and when it is time to relax they love being in the pool so that mum and dad can rest, catch up on reading or just lie in the sun. Holidays are the time to try new things and gain confidence in others. Summer holiday memories last a lifetime and one of my favourite holiday memories I managed to capture on camera, it is this one of the children having fun in the pool together last summer. It shows that although there is an age difference between them that they enjoy messing about together. Summer holidays are a time for them to bond and enjoy each others company away from the usual family squabbles at home. Hanging out with your siblings may not be cool 50 weeks of the year but on holiday it really brings them together.
Erin (the youngest) has always been a water baby, she learnt to swim way before she could walk and the first time we took her to Tenerife she wowed other families with her swimming, aged one and she was swimming independently without any swim aids. Others would point, laugh and watch her as she delighted in entertaining the crowds, but obviously I would be with her at all times.
Dylan had not had the same swimming lessons as a child and therefore was much more reluctant to be in the water if it was out his depth. He finally mastered swimming a few years back but didn’t jump in or like getting his face underwater. However being on holiday and having quite an empty pool he gained in confidence. Therefore one of my greatest holiday memories is seeing how much he now enjoys water both for swimming but also for trying water sports. He will now have a go, confident in his abilities and it helps him grow in both character and determination.
Chloe also enjoys trying new adventures and I think this is a great photo of her tackling the high ropes on board a cruise ship that we visited. This again shows how much my little family take on new challenges and live every moment. Chloe is very sporty, a hockey player, but this was out of her comfort zone until she controlled her fears!
So whilst the children are taking on new challenges and generally get involved with all that is on offer, I can really sit back relax and have one of these! This is why holidaying with older children is totally awesome!
Being a family of five and having older children means that you need more space and privacy than all piling into a hotel room. I would love to experience a villa holiday where we can all find some peace and space. Therefore top of my wish list would be Lanzarote as it is family friendly, has amazing views, culture and of course plenty to entertain my little family.
14 Responses
I have a mix of both ages and finding a holiday that suits them all can be tricky. We tend to go to holiday cottages but would love to try a villa one year
We are a family of five too and it makes hotel rooms SO tricky – plus I find self-catering much easier with kids anyway! My youngest is still only 4 so we tend to stick to the UK for now, but looking forward to foreign holidays again when he is a couple of years older!
It looks like a great place for a family holiday, we’re hoping to go abroad this year.
I hope you manage to get a lovely holiday in Lanzarote, I bet you will all have a blast. Mich x
I think villa holidays are perfect for families. As a family we have stayed in many hotels with our young sons and my husband and I have had to literally lay on the bed in a dark room too scared to move in case we wake our sons up! Not our idea of a relaxing, fun family break! Lanzarote is a great destination Emma, I want to see pics of you on a camel if you do go!
Holidays when the kids were younger left me needing another holiday to recover 😉
I’m going away with my 13 year old in April and can’t wait x
yes – this!!
Looks lovely! It’ll be great when my three are a bit older and we can do more with our holidays.
We are five – me, my three teens and my tot. We love holidaying together – life is never dull! We would love to go to Lanzarote too. Kaz x
We took Lucas on holiday last month and it was hard work. Not the rest we were hoping for. Fab photos, glad you have made some excellent memories. I’m sure you will get your villa holiday to Lanzarote soon x
Oh I can but hope!
As it is just the hubby and I, holidaying as a couple is utter bliss with no little interuptions, that said we have holidayed with family and even having kids with us was a lot of fun x
I remember going on holiday as a teen with my family, including brothers, and it really did bring us together. We’d stop bickering at least for a little while! Best of luck in the competition.!!
Yes it was the same for me with my brother!