Family holidays - do they wind you down or wind you up?

Holidays are all about fun, leisure, pleasure and a break from usual routines. For most individuals, couples and families, holidays can be a time to re-connect with each other, grow relationships and even review dreams and schemes for the future.

Relate know that often, holidays can also be just the opposite.

When family and couple relationships are under pressure and when there are many unresolved difficulties that have been avoided during usual routine daily life, holidays can be the time when problems erupt.

It may help to think about these things:

Has everyone helped to get ready for the holiday?

• It is important that if children are old enough to gather their own things together, let them do it – maybe give them a “special” bag just for the holiday.
• Mum and Dad might also like to think about who is going to be responsible for what – lists are good, especially if drawn up together

Are we there yet?

Usually long journeys whether by car, train, sea or air are quite a strain on most of us. Children especially.

• It really is important to take things to do
• Comfortable clothing, cushions, pillows, blankets are all worth thinking about
• If travelling by car, then regular stops are essential, even if the grown-ups don’t need them!
• It can be fun for youngsters to plot the journey – so draw a map and get them to mark off points along the way
• Remember the good old games – how many red cars, how many people wearing a hat etc.

Managing the money

Paying for a holiday can really strain the family finances however there are often hidden costs and they can spoil the fun.

• Work out before you go how much there is to spend in any one day
• Consider how best to eat within budget
• Keep a “reserve” in case something comes up that you hadn’t bargained for

What happens when it rains?

Have you got favourite family games and have you brought them with you?

• Good books, music, drawing things are always a fall-back
• Find out where the nearest cinema is
• Put on your wet gear and walk in it!

Keep cool and have fun