Two weeks in the sun is many families summer holiday plans and we have done that in the past and will do it again in the future but for the past few years we have often holidayed separately. This isn’t because we don’t like spending time as a family but because we enjoy doing different things. I probably wouldn’t have considered holidaying away from my husband until I started being invited on press trips with my blog but now it has become a ‘thing we do’.
I remember when Chloe was small and we were in Spain and started talking to another young couple who were holidaying without their daughter – I couldn’t understand it, I couldn’t imagine not feeling guilty at going away without your child. Yet a few years ago I started travelling solo. At first it was just a weekend away in London but since then I have travelled abroad with the children on my own. The children also really enjoy these trips with me and they never feel it unfair. I often joke I have to choose which child I like best that week and pick one to take away but the reality is that they understand they all get these little opportunities and breaks. It is swings and roundabouts and balances out in the end.
Now that they children are older it is easier to both holiday without them and also holiday with them. I enjoy having that one to one quality time with my children. Last summer I went to Corsica with Dylan and Erin for a week and we never the left the resort! They spent their days in the pool and joining the age appropriate kids clubs. Mark Warner holidays are second to none for children with childcare and all water sports included, they were in holiday heaven.
Next month Dyl and I are heading to France for five nights and we can’t wait. Dyl is quiet and a typical middle child in many ways and so being able to really focus on him and hang out with him is great. Then in June Chloe and I are heading to Kos for a week, staying in a beautiful hotel and this one is fully inclusive. We plan to do not much more than relax on a sun bed and drink cocktails! Chloe will be in need of some down time to relax after her GCSE exams and this seems to be a perfect way to wind down. Greece will be too hot for Erin and Lee wants to do more than just lie around all day. Therefore it makes sense for Chloe and me to go on our own before the younger two break up from school.
Lee and recently had a trip back in time, we visited university town and went without the children. We knew they wouldn’t enjoy walking around our old haunts and visiting University Campus. It also gave us the opportunity to visit the bars we lived in – something we couldn’t do if they were with us.
We will have some family summer fun too and I am currently trying to find the holiday that meets all of our needs. I do realise that I get the best deal from this as I am the one going on all the holidays but it is a sacrifice I am willing to take for my family!!
Benefits of holidaying separately:
- It is a great confidence boost to travel alone and know you can cope
- Great bonding experience with the child you take away
- Enjoy experiences that suit each person
- It is cheaper! As a family of five holidays are very expensive but we can get great deals when we go in smaller groups!
- It is good for relationships, as a couple it is valuable to have time away without the children, even if only for a night or two.
Do your holiday separately? I’d love to hear your views in the comments
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