How you can come home feeling like you've had a holiday as well. Check out these Mum travel tips.
Speaking to a fellow school Mum who had just returned from a getaway she described travel with kids as “just like being at home – but with palm trees.”
Well that is true.
No matter where you are your kids are still going to act up and demand attention just like they do at home.
So how can you come home from that family holiday feeling like you’ve had a break too.
Well I’m going to share with you what I do to feel like I’ve had a holiday as well.
My Mum Travel Tips
When Planning your holiday
When it comes to having a great family holiday it really comes down to the planning and research. I have lots of tips HERE on how to plan your holiday. However whilst you are doing this don’t forget to factor in yourself and REALLY think about these points to ensure you get a break.
- Choose accommodation that will reduce your work load.
- I personally love going to a resort because I can’t cook or wash dishes. However there is no washing machine, so you may end up doing hand washing.
- Self contained may give you more room and less squabbles. However think about the cooking, washing dishes and laundry. Maybe look for something with a dishwasher.
- Choose accommodation to match the age of your kids.
- With that I mean consider the facilities included like kids clubs, swimming pools and playgrounds. If the facilities match the age of your children then there will be similar aged children for your kids to play with.
- Seriously if you want to relax you have got to ensure your kids will be entertained.
- I have plenty more tips on Choosing the Right Family Accommodation HERE.
- When packing for the kids take activities to keep them entertained in the room. (I have a full list Packing for Kids HERE)
- Again if you want a bit of peace you need to have something for your kids to do.
- Think: small sets of Lego, colouring, cheap craft sets, and activity books.
- When packing for the family take enough clothing for a week. (I have Packing Lists for the Family HERE)
- Reduce the amount of time you are going to do laundry – if possible get someone else to do the laundry (that’s what I did in Phuket, it was quite cheap).
Before you Go
- Clean the house before you go.
- This way you can keep that relaxed holiday feeling for a little bit longer after your return.
Whilst you are on Holiday
- Plan to AVOID cooking as much as possible.
- Whilst self-contained accommodation is really handy for keeping the costs of eating out down and I have to say really good when introducing solids to babies and toddlers (this was why we chose to stay in a self-contained apartment when we went to Sydney, my son was 20 months).
- However if you are not careful you will be cooking and washing dishes all day.
- When we went to Busselton we found just having breakfast in the chalet was enough. We ate out for lunch and BBQed for dinner keeping the mess and cooking to a minimum.
- It may take a couple of days but find a routine where you don’t have to prepare and cook every meal.
- Plan some down time on your own.
- Negotiate with your husband/partner to take turns as to who watches the kids and who gets to go off for an hour to do their own thing.
- I like to get a massage or do yoga.
- Utilise kids clubs and baby sitters for a bit of couple time.
Just remember it’s your holiday too, so plan for you to have a break and come home refreshed.
What are your tips for coming home refreshed from a holiday?
My husband and I were just talking about taking a trip with our toddler. We’ve booked a little cabin by the River in a few months time. My husband is worried we will be working too much while we are there instead of relaxing. It was great to read your tips because we were also wanting to do a Mystery Trip- feeling spontaneous and crazy!
OOh a Mystery Trip sounds exciting. Go easy on yourselves, remain flexible, and remember travel with kids is not like couples travel.
We’re looking at having a long weekend at one of the those camping grounds with all the facilities and even a kid’s club, a win win. Not for every day but maybe just one day – great tips here!
Those camping grounds look fantastic don’t they Emily – not like it was when we were kids.
Some excellent tips here. I find breaky at home is easiest and if we are staying ‘home’ for dinner its always a bbq if possible. One salad and meat. Kids are always happy with that. You are right about taking it easy on yourself and trying to book appropriate accommodation. One I found which I think is important is apartments with lots of glass tables. Not really a good idea for small children.
You’re right about glass tables they can be dangerous around small children, however on the plus side you don’t have to worry if texta gets on the table – it cleans off easily
Great tips, Sally-Ann. We’ve not really had a family holiday before. Well, we have, but we stayed with family in their home, so it didn’t really count. I like your advice on choosing accom based on the kids’ ages. Plus having your own kitchen is definitely a winner. Thanks for sharing. #teamIBOT
Oh Renee I think any holiday counts even the ones staying with family. It’s a chance to break your normal routine and that’s just a holiday from everyday life.
We are having a few days away next week, and I’m trying to work out the best way to do it for us all, which also gives me a break. Eating out for six of us constantly is not a possibility, so I think we will do things like make lunches and breakfast but buy dinner. Now I just have to sort out the clothing….
Sounds like you have a good plan there Jess. Now onto that packing – don’t forget I have packing lists so you won’t forget a thing.
I like to also communicate this with the kids. If they are aware that I also want a holiday and that we all have to share in the jobs then it is more likely to occur.
I totally agree Sarah. We are currently on holiday and I am continually telling my son it’s also my holiday and that we all get a turn to do something we like.
We did a lot of ‘split shifts’ when the kids were little, and escaped off to the child free pool….just the serenity of it all for 2 hours made a huge difference!
That’s it exactly Lydia, just an hour or 2 escape everyday makes you feel as you have had a chance to relax.
Some great tips here, though I find the more activities there are for the kids to do the more activities I have to do with them. I like to balance out the kids activities with grown up activities so it is win win. And yes, coming home to a clean house is the best. Thanks for joining in my #wednesdaywanderlust link party.
Your welcome Malinda, I have an only child so I am always having to play with him whether we are at home or away, it’s just a matter of ensuring there is enough to keep him occupied that I don’t hear “I’m bored” as he doesn’t have any siblings to play with.
These are great tips, I will have to keep it in mind in the coming years! We are expecting our first (this week!) and I am collecting all the Mum advice I can get. Glad I found this article through the link up : )
Sarah xo
Congratulations sarah all the best for the future and remember when you are ready to start travelling with bub to come back for some tips.