Recently I wrote about our feelings towards holidays and why we’ll always find the money from somewhere to make sure we have one. Erin has quite quickly become used to us going on holiday at least once a year and it’s something she gets really excited about, even at the age of 3. Obviously, we want Erin to know how hard we have to work to be able to go on holiday and we talk to her about work and money on a regular basis. However, we also want Erin to be able to have some time each year that is completely different from our routine at home.
I thought I’d write today about why I think family holidays are so important for children and the things they get out of them.
Making memories
Of course, one of the biggest things for us about Erin being able to go on holidays is the chance to make memories. She might only be 3 but she remembers previous holidays, especially those to Center Parcs and Haven. Erin often talks about particular ‘holiday houses’ we have stayed in and I think the caravan at Haven might have been her favourite so far.
The holidays or short breaks we have been on so far have given us things to talk about, memories to look back on and most importantly, memories that Erin will always remember. Hopefully, Erin will remember her childhood being a mix of doing things like going to nursery and learning but mixed with some really fun and exciting adventures.
Breaking from routine
For weeks in a row we do the same thing and the routine can get so monotonous. We have swimming on a Monday, then Erin has nursery Tuesday to Friday and John works either 5 or 6 days a week. It’s the same thing day after day and we all get bored of it.
At the moment we’re lucky that we can still take Erin on holiday during term time but from September 2020 we are going to be much more limited to when we can go on holiday. At the minute, while Erin is still getting used to being at nursery so much it’s nice for us to be able to break from our usual routine and get away for a few days.
Strengthening relationships
Before Erin started nursery when she was 2 I spent near enough all of every single day with her. Now that she’s at nursery for 4 days a week and has a swimming lesson on a Monday we don’t get too much quality time together any more. John works a lot so only really gets the weekend with Erin.
It’s important that we all get time together as a family but it’s also important that both John and I get time with Erin on a one to one basis as well. A family holiday gives us the opportunity to do all of this. There are certain things that Erin prefers doing with just John and things she prefers to do with just me. A family holiday gives us the chance to actually eat meals together, talk about what we’ve been doing and just to enjoy each other’s company for a while.
Exploring outdoors
Something we try to do when thinking about and booking a holiday is to make sure there is lots for us to do outdoors. Erin spends a lot of time at nursery now and even though she can play outside near enough when she wants, she is still indoors a lot of the time. Each holiday we try to make sure that there are outdoor activities that all of us can enjoy and this could be anything from a day at the beach to a walk in the woods or playing at a park.
Fresh air, exercise and discovering a new environment are all important things for children and holidays are a great time for all of these.
Of course, there are so many more reasons why family holidays are great for children but sometimes, it all depends on the destination and type of holiday you’re going on. We are definitely not all about really expensive holidays and are more than happy with a night in hotel somewhere or maybe a couple of nights in a caravan. Family holidays don’t have to cost a fortune if you don’t want them to. It’s what you make of it that counts.
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