A family holiday is a perfect opportunity to create amazing memories that last a lifetime. A child’s excitement and anticipation for some time away to together are magical. However, you may or may not know that it doesn’t always run as smoothly as you hope.
So, can you have a family holiday that doesn’t leave you feeling more frazzled than when you left? Of course, it just requires and little pre-planning and preparation.
Yes, your holiday will be different to your pre-baby time away, but different doesn’t mean worse. In fact, family holidays are a fantastic experience and create memories you will cherish for years to come.
Here is your Family Holiday survival guide to help ensure everybody has the time of their lives on your next family holiday.
Relax the routine
A family holiday is a time to bend the rules a little. Regular meal and bedtimes may help things run smoothly at home, but being able to do things differently on holiday is what makes it so exciting for children.
Don’t be afraid to let your child eat a little later and go to bed a little later than usual. If they become tired, lay them down for a nap in the afternoon. This will help them avoid becoming overtired and gives them a break from the hot sun.
Take advantage of technology
If you have long car journeys to go on or periods of time when the children need to sit still, take advantage of technology. An iPad or iPhone is a fantastic accompaniment with hours of entertainment built into one easy-to-carry device, leaving you with some downtime to chill out or concentrate.
Plan ahead
Book hotels, activities and days out well in advance, there’s much less room for spontaneity when you’ve got little ones travelling with you. You need to make sure the accommodation doesn’t present any hazards, the destination is safe for your children and the journey is a manageable length for the age of your child.
Prepare for difficulties that may occur like where the local health centre is. Pack essentials like sun cream, snacks, plenty of water and first aid supplies. That last thing you want is to be looking for any of these items with an upset child.
Don’t expect too much
Your child may not be as enthralled by seeing landmarks and museums as you are. It is important to remember that doing new things and staying in an unfamiliar place is all pretty exhausting for a young child.
They may just want to spend an afternoon playing in a park, it’s something they can do at home but it’s what they love and what they know. Just go with it and don’t get too caught up on forcing them to enjoy the things you love. Find a balance and you and your children will enjoy the holiday much more.
Stick with the safe options
Do your best to avoid restaurants that don’t have common kid’s food on the menu. Children are highly unpredictable when it comes to eating in new places and the foreign food may not be to their liking. Stick with restaurants that serve food that you know they will enjoy, ensuring stress-free meal times.
If you are looking to try new food, find a compromise and look for something that has both. It is also really important to eat as healthy as possible while on holiday for both you and the children but also allow for a few extra treats.
Encourage socialising
Encourage your children to make friends on holiday around the pool or at the park, you can do this by talking to other families there. They will have great fun playing with new children and it gives you a chance to relax enjoying some peace. It will also help improve their confidence and they’ll be able to do their own thing.
Revise expectations
A family holiday does not mean lying on a sun lounger with a book and a cocktail. If this is what you are expecting out of your holiday then you will probably be disappointed. Focus on the positives of being able to holiday with young children rather than focusing on what you can’t do. You don’t even need to deal with the stress of the busy airports; you can easily have a great time somewhere in the UK. There are loads of caravan holiday parks that are family friendly and have entertainment for kids.
Visiting new places, trying new things and experiencing new adventures is a valuable learning experience for your children and it’s a chance to teach them these things. You can enjoy quality time away from the pressures of work and home life.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.
