Discover how to enjoy this family holiday

At this time of year, most of us think about only one thing: the longed-for holidays. After a hard year of work, we deserve a break. But what can we do so that these holidays are enjoyable for everyone? Where is it best to go with children? What activities can we do? How do we organize it? These are some of the questions we ask ourselves, because we don't want this holiday period to turn into a nightmare.

When I talk with parents at our meetings, all of them without exception have experienced some tense situation on their holidays with children, and the thing is that it's not as easy as it seems.

Here are some tips that may help you enjoy a family holiday:

Choose the destination well

What matters is not where to go in a geographical sense; what matters is where to go so that we all enjoy our moments. The chosen place should have things both for the little ones and for the parents, as well as things to do as a family. It's about spending time together, but we should also enjoy activities for everyone. Travelling to several European cities in five days is not a trip to do as a family; going to one or two European cities that also have an amusement park or bike excursions would be a better option. We should adapt the holidays to the characteristics of our family (very young children, or teenagers, or one of each…)

Take off your watch

The first thing I do on holiday is take off my watch. I don't want to be in a hurry; we already rush the rest of the year. If you have to catch a plane, leave with time to spare. Children don't understand about being rushed, they need their time to get out of the house, and if you don't want to arrive late and a bundle of nerves, you should keep this in mind: a child's time is not the same as an adult's, it's longer. They need twice as long as you to leave the house, so bear that in mind. If you travel by car, you'll need to make more stops and arm yourself with patience. Make the journey the beginning of your holidays and start enjoying it from the trip itself.

Don't try to do everything

It's common that when you arrive at a new place you want to see everything, but remember that on holiday you have to leave stress behind. If you set too many destinations, you'll tire out the children and they'll let you know, with their tantrums, their sulky faces or confrontations. There's no need to see absolutely everything. I always say it's good to leave something unseen so you have an excuse to come back. It's fine to visit things, but it's also fine to play ball, watch a kite fly or spend two hours eating an ice cream. The secret lies in balance.

Breaking routines

Holidays are a time to break with the schedules and routines of the whole year. But be careful: in very young children, this can make them nervous. It's advisable for them to keep a structure so they feel safe. The important thing about breaking routines is knowing how to be flexible. If we're two hours past their usual mealtime and now they're sleepier than hungry, we should let them sleep, they'll eat later. Nothing bad happens by doing everything later; remember there's no hurry. If, on the contrary, I change the schedules but I'm inflexible, the fight will come, because I'll try to get them to eat no matter what, without taking into account that their mealtime has already passed.

Become aware of how they feel

It's important to know how to see when our children are tired, sleepy or bored. You have to know how to detect when there's trouble ahead. If they're very tired they can kick up a fuss at any moment; if we realize in time we can prevent it or at least understand it. If they're bored they'll start to make a nuisance of themselves, for example during the trip or while waiting for the first course at a restaurant. Use traditional games, like I spy, riddles, stories, make up tales,… make that time pleasant for them. Remember that what matters is enjoying time as a family, and any moment can be a good one.

Enjoy like a child

Stop being an adult for once and enjoy the way children do. Without obligations, without worries, focus on the moment, on the here and now as if nothing else existed in the world. That's how you truly enjoy life, savouring the small moments, like children do, without thinking about anything other than what they're doing in that instant.

Don't worry about silly things

The weather, the food, whether they eat or don't eat, whether it rains today… If they eat worse on holiday, nothing happens; an excess of fries in summer is not a catastrophe. If it rains today, it's an opportunity to play board games or to lie on the bed tickling each other. How long has it been since you lay down with your children doing absolutely nothing? You'll be surprised how fun it can be.

Two key words: time together

We've come to enjoy ourselves, to spend time together, and that should be our main objective. With this in mind, you'll see how everything is different. Every moment counts, everything matters.

Practise patience

With children this is the key: be patient, don't expect them to do everything right away and on the first try. Wait; learning takes time. Don't be demanding, don't be constantly telling them off. It's a time to be more flexible, a little less demanding, but above all more patient.

Wherever you go, take your smile with you

What matters is not the place, it's not the hotel or the pool; what matters is your smile. Pack a positive attitude in your suitcase this summer and you'll see how it's contagious.

Treat yourself

Find a moment for yourself, to do something you enjoy. If you feel good, you transmit it. If on your holidays you only dedicate yourself to others, you'll end up feeling bad about yourself. We all need a treat, our own little space. Do that thing you love so much; nothing bad happens by being a little selfish for a few minutes a day.