Sample Seven
HOW TO TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF HOLIDAYING WITH CHILDREN
Parents often devote great effort to coming up with a holiday that would give their children an unforgettable and irreplaceable experience while at the same time teaching them something. And many children, aware of these parental intentions, can also put great mental effort into the task of avoiding a thoroughly parent-managed holiday that would mean endless hours of wandering through stately homes and museums. Yet, an element of careful planning, there is a possibility of a compromise that would satisfy all parties thoroughly.
Planning Your Holiday. Obviously, considering where to go is the first step of any holiday and probably the most important if you want to be able to relax and not have the children making their own mischief through boredom. If you do not want to entirely give up the cultural element of going away with younger children, there are balances to be struck. Sightseeing, and slowly wandering the streets of a quiet Greek island may seem like heaven to you, but it’s certainly not to a four year old…and certainly not for the second full day in succession!
You should aim to break your days up so that there is time for play also. Perhaps a trip to the beach in the morning (when the sun it not at its strongest) or playing in the pool before going out will help ease your offspring’s chagrin about being dragged around what they see as yet another market.
Travelling. Also, consider your travelling schedule; even most adults become irritable when travelling long distances, so consider holidaying close to home when children are particularly young. Children are at their most disagreeable when they are tired and bored. If you have lots of travelling to do, make sure that they can we well entertained. For example, it may be worth investing in a portable DVD player and some of their favourite DVDs for long car journeys. Successfully encouraging your child to read will also pay dividends on long journeys.
Keeping Them Interested. Children have notoriously low boredom thresholds and are more likely than ever to act up when sightseeing given that they are not yet ready to appreciate the splendour of some Roman ruin. In order to keep their interest up, play games with them, or ask them to count the number of columns or arches in a historic site, or ask them t make up stories about what might have happened in the very place that they are standing.
Children have vast and vivid imaginations and this sort of activity will keep them amused long enough to get them home.
Eating. Anyone can serve a “kids' meal” or have a child friendly menu, but when it comes to dining with kids, you need to know the places where kids are not only welcomed, but really catered for. A bit of prior research should be able to help you here and the internet is a great tool for identifying child friendly restaurants when you want something a little more nutritious than another fast food hamburger and chips!
In Conclusion. Taking the stress out of holidaying with children is a straightforward task, if approached with an element of common sense and consideration for your child’s needs. With a balance of fun and culture, there should be something for everyone in a holiday that does not end in frayed tempers or tears.
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