{"id":2764,"date":"2026-08-24T10:25:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T10:25:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jvdbosch.com\/?p=2764"},"modified":"2026-08-27T09:12:31","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T09:12:31","slug":"dont-let-your-kids-get-in-the-way-of-a-good-holiday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.jvdbosch.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/24\/dont-let-your-kids-get-in-the-way-of-a-good-holiday\/","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t let your kids get in the way of a good holiday"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\t\t\"A\t<\/div>
We had a fantastic week and came home feeling like we\u2019d had a holiday (Picture: Jam Press\/TUI)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018It won\u2019t feel like a holiday\u2019, a mum at the weekly toddler group we attended said this to me before my family vacation back in 2014.<\/p>\n

She hit a nerve \u2013 I was slightly apprehensive about taking a toddler on a 3-hour flight to a foreign country<\/a>. <\/p>\n

I was getting ready to go to Skiathos, Greece <\/strong>with my husband, Stu and daughter, Ella, who at the time was 15 months, when she made that comment, and I admit, it made me nervous.<\/p>\n

Before long, I was worrying about how my toddler would sleep, what she would eat and if she would let us relax. <\/p>\n

Trying to get ahead of the potential chaos, I packed familiar snacks for her, but that was it. I put a lot of faith in my husband\u2019s carefree attitude that \u2018it would all be fine\u2019. <\/p>\n

However, other than a 45-minute meltdown on the flight<\/a> out there, it was indeed perfectly fine. We had a fantastic week and came home feeling like we\u2019d had a holiday.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

I found myself wondering why other parents were so negative and told me I would just be \u2018parenting<\/a> in a different location\u2019 and would \u2018need a second holiday to get over this one\u2019.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Kirsty\t<\/div>
I\u2019ve heard a parent whinge over the years, that going on holiday with their kids \u2018isn\u2019t a holiday\u2019 (Picture: Phil Adams)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Because that has been far from my experience. <\/p>\n

If I had a pound every time I\u2019ve heard a parent whinge over the years, that going on holiday with their kids \u2018isn\u2019t a holiday\u2019, I\u2019d be able to afford a luxury two-week break without kids<\/a>, where I could lie in peace, uninterrupted and sipping cocktails. <\/p>\n

That does sound lovely, but the truth is, I wouldn\u2019t choose that over a holiday with my kids, because I\u2019ve holidayed every year since having children and I can safely say I have never returned from one and thought, \u2018I need a holiday to get over that\u2019.  <\/p>\n

Not because our holidays are always miraculously stress-free \u2013 they aren\u2019t. We have had lost suitcases, arguments, forgotten goggles, sun cream battles, and the occasional \u2018I\u2019m bored\u2019 moment. <\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"A\t<\/div>
Mama\u2019s \u2018OOO\u2019 is always on, which means no negotiating vegetable intake or counting ice creams (Picture: Christopher Furlong\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But because it is always beautiful, fulfilling and much-needed family time.<\/p>\n

The trick is that we never over-plan, and we don\u2019t try to cram every possible experience into a week or two. <\/p>\n

Instead, we wake up, see what everyone fancies, and go with the flow. <\/p>\n

If your idea of a holiday is having six uninterrupted hours on a sun lounger<\/a>, enjoying a book, a cocktail and nobody asking you for a snack, then obviously having children in tow is going to be somewhat inconvenient.<\/p>\n

But as a parent, I simply lower my expectations, and that way, I have found that holidays with kids can actually be relaxing.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
POLL<\/div>\n
Poll<\/title><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"metro-poll__title\">How do you feel about going on holiday with kids?<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"metro-poll__list\">\n<li data-option=\"option1\" class=\"metro-poll__option\">\n<div class=\"metro-poll__score-bar-wrapper\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-poll__content\">\n<div class=\"metro-poll__text\">It's a fun family adventure.<span class=\"metro-poll__check-icon\"><title>Check<\/title><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-poll__score\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-option=\"option2\" class=\"metro-poll__option\">\n<div class=\"metro-poll__score-bar-wrapper\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-poll__content\">\n<div class=\"metro-poll__text\">It's too stressful to consider.<span class=\"metro-poll__check-icon\"><title>Check<\/title><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-poll__score\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-option=\"option3\" class=\"metro-poll__option\">\n<div class=\"metro-poll__score-bar-wrapper\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-poll__content\">\n<div class=\"metro-poll__text\">It depends on the destination.<span class=\"metro-poll__check-icon\"><title>Check<\/title><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-poll__score\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-option=\"option4\" class=\"metro-poll__option\">\n<div class=\"metro-poll__score-bar-wrapper\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-poll__content\">\n<div class=\"metro-poll__text\">I'm not sure, I have mixed feelings.<span class=\"metro-poll__check-icon\"><title>Check<\/title><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-poll__score\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"newsletter-end-card accent--travel\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-end-card__inner\">\n<h4>Sign up to The Getaway Expert, your exclusive seven-day guide to travelling with confidence from Metro’s travel editor, Alice Murphy.<\/h4>\n<div class=\"newsletter-signup__field newsletter-signup__field--text newsletter-signup__mm\">\n\t\t\t<label for=\"newsletter-signup__the-getaway-expert\/poll_mm\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail\t\t\t<\/label><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"newsletter-signup__field newsletter-signup__field--checkbox newsletter-signup__agree\">\n\t\t\t<label for=\"newsletter-signup__the-getaway-expert\/poll_agree\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"newsletter-signup__checkbox-placeholder\">\n\t\t\t<title>I agree to receive newsletters from Metro<\/title>\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\tI agree to receive newsletters from Metro\t\t\t<\/label><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"newsletter-signup__submit\"><button type=\"submit\" class=\"metro-button metro-button_sign-up \"><span>Sign Up<\/span><title>Sign Up<\/title><\/button><\/div>\n<div class=\"newsletter-recaptcha\">\n<p>This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the <a href=\"https:\/\/policies.google.com\/privacy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google Privacy Policy<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/policies.google.com\/terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Terms of Service<\/a> apply. Your information will be used in line with our <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/privacypolicy\/\">Privacy Policy<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At home I cared about what my kids ate, but on holiday, Mama\u2019s \u2018OOO\u2019 is always on, which means no <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2022\/01\/21\/mum-shares-brilliant-hack-to-get-kids-eating-their-vegetables-15959766\/\">negotiating vegetable intake<\/a> or counting ice creams. Deciding not to keep an eye on that relieved a fair amount of stress.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having later bedtimes and extra naps during the day also helped \u2013 the routine back home can survive a week or two of change, as much as the body can survive on ice cream and chips. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In my job as a parenting specialist, I\u2019ve worked with children for more than 30 years, and one thing I know is that children are generally much better at doing nothing than we give them credit for. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I find it\u2019s the adults who keep asking, \u2018What\u2019s the plan?\u2019 <\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"http:\/\/www.jvdbosch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_266810159-6c62.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29432687\" alt=\"Kirsty Ketley for Metro\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>There is something wonderfully liberating about stepping away from normal life (Picture: Phil Adams)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not the kids. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They are quite happy with a bucket, spade and a pool \u2013 the best holidays for kids that I\u2019ve experienced are spent eating a bag of crisps round the pool, making new friends or simply creating their own fun on a beach.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is something wonderfully liberating about stepping away from normal life. No work, no school run, homework, or packed lunches. No \u2018mental load\u2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That, to me, is a holiday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But I think social media is somewhat to blame for the expectations people have on their holidays. Instagram is full of families having the most idyllic holidays imaginable, with their beautiful children, in peaceful pools, sunsets and cocktails \u2013 it\u2019s unrealistic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because those are the same parents go back to the hotel room and announce that holidays with children are absolutely exhausting. <\/p>\n<section class=\"metro-comment-cta\">\n<div class=\"metro-comment-cta__inner\"><span class=\"metro-comment-cta__text-wrap\"><title>Comment now<\/title><span class=\"metro-comment-cta__text\">Do you think kids make holidays more fulfilling or just more chaotic?<\/span><\/span><a class=\"metro-comment-cta__button\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\">Comment Now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The reality is your child needs the toilet approximately three minutes after you\u2019ve left the service station, and then declares they\u2019re starving before rejecting everything on<strong> <\/strong>the menu. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But that doesn\u2019t mean that the holiday has failed \u2013 because kids will be kids, whatever the location. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You don\u2019t stop being a parent when you arrive on holiday, but you can stop parenting as though you\u2019re still at home. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Loosen the routine, lower the bar, let the children stay up late, let them be bored and allow yourself to relax. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"http:\/\/www.jvdbosch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_309033330-2afb.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29432760\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Instagram is full of families having the most idyllic holidays imaginable (Picture: Getty Images\/Johner RF)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019ve had to remind myself that relaxation doesn\u2019t have to mean nobody asks me for anything, or I get to finish a book or lie horizontally for an entire day. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes relaxation is simply knowing that nobody needs to be anywhere tomorrow morning \u2013 that I don\u2019t have to meal plan, or do the dishes. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I admit, I come home tired, but I am tired and relaxed. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019ve spent two weeks refereeing sibling arguments, applying sun cream and handing out snacks and still had a brilliant holiday. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because one day, those children who are currently asking for snacks, goggles, ice creams and your undivided attention won\u2019t want to come with you anymore. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then you\u2019ll have your sun lounger, your book, and an uninterrupted cocktail. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And you might find yourself wishing someone was asking you for a snack.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Do you have a story you\u2019d like to share? Get in touch by emailing <a href=\"mailto:ross.mccafferty@metro.co.uk\" data-type=\"mailto\" data-id=\"mailto:ross.mccarthy@metro.co.uk\">Ross.Mccafferty@metro.co.uk<\/a><a href=\"mailto:Ross.Mccafferty@metro.co.uk\" data-type=\"mailto\" data-id=\"mailto:Ross.Mccafferty@metro.co.uk\">.<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Share your views in the comments below.<\/strong><\/p>\n<section id=\"share-buttons-bottom\" class=\"share-buttons share-buttons-bottom\"><a class=\"metro-button share-bar-comments\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span><title>Comment now<\/title><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-comments__label\">Comments<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a><a class=\"metro-button share-bar-preferred-source\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/metro.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span><title>Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/title><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-preferred-source__label\">Add as preferred source<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/a><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We had a fantastic week and came home feeling like we\u2019d had a holiday (Picture: Jam Press\/TUI) \u2018It won\u2019t feel like a holiday\u2019, a mum at the weekly toddler group<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.jvdbosch.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/24\/dont-let-your-kids-get-in-the-way-of-a-good-holiday\/\" class=\"readmore\">Continue reading<svg class=\"icon icon-arrow-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\"> <use href=\"#icon-arrow-right\" xlink:href=\"#icon-arrow-right\"><\/use> <\/svg><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Don\u2019t let your kids get in the way of a good holiday<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2766,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jvdbosch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2764"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jvdbosch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jvdbosch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jvdbosch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jvdbosch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2764"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.jvdbosch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2764\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2772,"href":"http:\/\/www.jvdbosch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2764\/revisions\/2772"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jvdbosch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2766"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jvdbosch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2764"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jvdbosch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2764"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jvdbosch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2764"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}