We have not really had that many holidays as a family of four. Before I became a Mummy, going away on my annual holiday was my highlight of my year, and as soon as I got home I was already planning my next one! However, now with two children in tow going away on holiday is not the same as it once was, as I would not take them on the same types of holidays as I went on pre children, and going away now is like a military operation because of all of the planning, packing and organisation that is required!!
Having to be responsible for packing yourself and three others takes quiet a bit of doing, and I normally find that a list is essential and one that I MUST not lose! The amount of times I write a shopping list and then forget to take it to the supermarket with me or it goes missing between leaving home and arriving at the shops, is a mystery, but more often than not I am shopping from memory and therefore inevitabley forget items!! Therefore a list with EVERYTHING that is needed for our family holiday has to be written down and not lost – usually I copy my list onto my phone so I cant lose it!
So 4 cases later full to the brim with clothes and shoes and washing items, swimsuits and towells and books, toys and buckets and spades for the boys, the packing is complete – yaaay! So once the car is packed and we have got in and then out again because someone needs the toilet (!!), we are off on our holiday.
Of course although it is lovely to have some family time together away from home, it is not a holiday in the same way that a holiday was pre children. There are no lie ins, no relaxing by a pool with a book or going back to my room mid day for a siesta or being able to go out late and come in very late!! Don’t get me wrong, I do not want those type of holidays again (hmm, or do i???!!) really, but it is different now and not half as relaxing as they once were and it is just like being at home really except I might have no washing up or cooking if its a half board holiday, but funnily enough I usually end up doing some food shopping and washing!!
The worse thing is that when the holiday is over and we are home again with cases full of dirty things and stuff that needs to be unpacked and put back from where they came, it does take a few days to catch up and I do find myself thinking that I could do with another break to get over the last one!!!
According to Al Fresco holidays I am not alone in feeling this way and they have discovered after carrying out numerous markey research that typically, mums are responsible for the majority of the preparations and need to organise the entire family – choosing the right time to go, the location, resort, activities, and even packing the cases too. And then – and then – when the family is away,it is their top priority to keep the kids entertained. I can definately agree with all of the above!!
Luckily for me the lovely people from Al Fresco have sent me a #holidayfromyourholiday pamper pack and I can not wait to use if after my holiday 🙂
Right now to look through some holiday brochures on line 🙂
I was sent a pamper pack for writing this post
susankmann
It is just so much more stressful getting everything packed and ready for the kids. Pamper pack sounds good x