When I take a leisurely walk around town I cannot help but
peer into the travel agents window, I eye up all of the deals and think how
nice it would be to just stroll in and book a last minute getaway. It was only
yesterday I felt my bank card jingle when I came across a fantastic deal to jet
away to Turkey on an all-inclusive break, in a 4 star hotel. Priced at only
£399 per person I was incredibly tempted, but deep down I knew the money that I
was thinking of is being saved away for a house deposit…
So I pushed the thoughts of sunny holidays out of my mind…
For now anyway.
We don’t currently have any plans for a family holiday this
year, but I am hoping this will change in due course. I would love nothing more
than to whisk Leo away to blue skies, days at the beach chasing the surf and
building sand castles for a week or two. Watching his face beam from all of the
excitement, and just having chance to relax away from the hustle and bustle
that comes with everyday life.
Of course taking our family of 3 away on holiday means we
have to hunt out the best family friendly resorts and hotels. We have to take a
number of things into consideration before booking a holiday… Flight durations,
transfer time to the hotel, the actual hotel, and even the resort we would be
staying in.If we are going to go all
inclusive we need to have an idea of what the food is like, especially having
such a fussy eater on our hands in the form of Leo.
Before I ever book anything I always hunt out reviews on
TripAdvisor, so I can find out what other guests thought of their visit. I can
find out everything, even the bits that they wouldn’t publicise on their
website. This is an essential bit of research for me, before parting with any
money and committing ourselves to the unknown. Another site I have found
incredibly helpful is Away with the kids. They are essentially a directory for
family holidays, and they feature the UK, Ireland, Scilly, Channel Islands and
even abroad. You can put in the details of where you wish to go, whether you
want to go glamping or stay in a hotel and they will pull up a list of places
that suit your needs.
In a day and age where information is so easily accessed via
the internet, we really do have the world at our feet. We can look into the hotel
we wish to stay in, we can find out other people’s experiences on the same
holiday… We have all of the tools to make an informed decision.
As a parent who has to make a number of informed decisions
before we decide to travel, I love having so many opportunities to do my
research before committing.
I know I am not alone in thinking of a long car journey... The thought actually makes my heart sink. We have personally experienced a long haul car journey to Europe with Leo, who at the time was just shy of one year old. At times it felt like the trip would never ever end. Lets face it... Kids get bored, they have episodes of car sickness or just become easily irritated... or for that matter irritating! All of these things combined transform into the recipe for a family holiday from hell.
I like to think that with the right
amount of planning, all children can enjoy a long road trip anywhere while
the parents can sit back and enjoy the view! It’s time to stop seeing the
travel as a means between A and B, and start seeing it as part of the holiday!
It'a important to be prepared
We have traveled abroad a handful of times with Leo, within the first 5 months of his life we took a holiday to Tenerife, and despite working myself up to the possibility of it all going pear shaped, it was actually a hell of a lot easier than flying with a 2 year old! This summer we jetted off to Cyprus, a 4.5 hour flight. Flying with a toddler was so much more stressful than flying with a baby in arms... But I had anticipated this and packed a Trunki full of absolutely everything that I knew he would love. Things that I knew would keep him entertained... I may have even invested in a portable DVD player. I do like to opt for a peaceful life.
I packed enough food to feed a Severn nation army, replacement batteries and chargers for gadgets and I think it is even worth thinking ahead to all of the
possible medications that you may need to ensure smooth sailing on your journey.
Saving tips and
tricks
I speak from experience when I say that sometimes it feels as though you need to spend a small fortune in order to have a
really great time. When you are away it is very easy to get lead down the primrose path to greener pastures and part with money when you don't really need to. Realistically this only
serves to make you stressed and worried in the long run.
There are a few things you can do to
ensure that you don’t spend over the odds on holiday:
- Making a realistic budget before setting off including food
and gas will ensure that you don’t find yourself surprised by the bill at the
end. Don’t forget to have enough to cover these essentials as you could find
yourself short.
- Eating ‘in’ for two meals a day mean that you can prepare
food and ensure that those meals have already been covered. With the money
you’ll save, you can then indulge in a fun and delicious meal in a local diner
that all the family can enjoy.
Keeping the kids
entertained
While some children might be happy with a good book to keep
them quiet for the entire trip, most children need more entertainment than this
for several hours at a time. Playing games such as ‘I Spy…’ will not only keep
them happy, it will also make them feel like part of the trip. Leo is still a litltle young to completely grasp this concept but he loved pointing out the things that he could see when we asked him. This useful entertaining
print and play games booklet makes sure the kids have fun on a road trip
Our Trunki full of goodies served us incredibly well on our last trip, and although it didn't put a complete end to the tantrums that follow terrible two year old's around, it certainly mellowed the experience and kept me from pulling my hair out. In fact Leo was even complimented by a number of passengers for being exceptionally well behaved.
In hind sight I think they were just thankful not to have a screaming toddler within their hearing proximity...
Were up before the moon lay's down his sleepy head, and before the birds start their morning tune.
Were off to catch an airplane and fly way up high.
Were going to look down on the world from dizzy heights and in a few short hours we will be far from here.
We sped along the deserted motorway with hardly anyone else around.
No one but the man in the moon shining his light, guiding our way.
We dropped off Mumma's car and waved her 'bye bye' and hopped on a bus.
Your very first bus journey
You excitedly exclaimed to everyone around you, your joy of riding on the bus.
'Mumma! Bus...Wheels!' you happily chirped.
Complete strangers were captivated as you were so excited, they shot you smiles and couldn't take their eyes off of the little boy, who's dreams had come true through the simplicity of a bus journey.
The bus was all you spoke about all day, and you told absolutely anyone who would listen all about your exciting adventure.
The airplane was far less exciting than the bus.. The plane left a lot to be desired in your eyes and I am sure you would have happily taken a bus journey to Cyprus over the boring plane.
When you arrived at the villa you were absolutely exhausted, completely not in the mood for playing.
Until you saw the swimming pool of course. If there is one new word you learnt over the week it is 'pool'.
We got you your very first rubber ring and your big cousin showed you how to use it.
To start with you were not entertaining the idea, but after a few minutes you were using it like a pro.
Spinning circles around in the warm water and showing us all just how big and grown up you had become.
You ate out with us each and every night, having your very own big boy dinner's.
You even had your very first virgin cocktail, because you were determined to have some 'bubble juice', we didn't stand in your way. You were on holiday after all.
In fact you were a cheeky little rascal all week, stealing Mumma's can's of pop, but you made up for it by sitting and clinking our drinks together exclaiming 'cheers' like we were clinking champagne glasses.
You did make Mumma laugh when it became apparent that you were actually taken the mickey. A bug had landed on my hand you see, and I let out a little girly squeal and flicked my hand out in order to get rid of the creepy crawly. Only to have you, yes YOU Leo shoot me that winning smile of yours. You giggled and flung your hand forward squealing. Even now over a week later you are still taking the mickey out of your Mumma!
One thing I really noticed about you during this week is just how incredibly sociable you are. Wherever we went you made friends. You ran around chasing them and then they turned around to chase you. I had children coming up to me and asking if they could play with you. In one restaurant we visited, there were two kids playing on scooters. They were the restaurant owners children, and before I knew it they had brought you a scooter to the table so that you could go and play with them. You were having so much fun, I truly hope this confidence stays with you for always and that you always make friends so effortlessly.
We took you back to the beach, your second beach abroad. Not that you will remember your first holiday little guy, you were only 5 months old. But even then we took you and showed you the sea lapping against the sandy shores. Your first proper beach encounter happened right here in the sunny UK, but now you are truly at an age to enjoy all of the fun that can be had down by the sea.
I tried to show you how to make sand castles but you were just set on knocking them down, I think in the coming years we will be able to build some incredible sand castles with moats leading to the surf. But for now I have to admit that I played all on my own... I have always been a big kid when it comes to the sand.
You absolutely loved the waves, and the sea quickly became known as 'bubbles'.
You didn't care as the sea splashed around you, and you don't seem to share Mumma's sea phobia. I am a big scaredy cat as you will soon find out. Seaweed and being out of my depth truly scares the bejeebies out of me!
I soon found a natural water feed that had been hollowed out of the sand by locals. I decided this would be a better way to keep my sanity and give you the freedom you so craved to run and splash around.
The water clearing was so warm and the perfect depth for you to jump and splash until your heart desired. Although I still had to chase you when you decided to run back to the 'bubbles' on occasion.
You brought blankie along for the entire adventure, everywhere you went so did blankie.
I couldn't even prise it from your clutches when you fell asleep with it over you in the car. You spent the week looking very warm, with sweaty matted hair. The heat was just so humid and sticky, that I confined us to the air-conned bedroom on occasion just so we could cool down.
I think it is safe to say that your latest adventure has been an exciting one. With all of the new things you have experienced and memories you have made, now you are getting older you are getting so much more from every new adventure we pursue.
Here is to future holidays, future pool trips and of course trips to the sea to see all of those bubbles.
I have to wonder when I will be next awakening you to join me on an adventure?
I was sat in the restaurant watching all the kids run around. Their excited and enjoying themselves, chasing each other around and play fighting. Leo is chasing his cousin around and then running away as he turns on his heels to chase him. They disappear under the table, and I count my lucky stars that they are no longer at risk of tripping the waitress over as they dart around.
Leo spent much of his holiday over excited, when the occasion called for it and he got a little too over excited he was told, and he was sat down. He always had us keeping a watchful eye on him, we knew he was safe and we knew exactly what he was up to at all times. But he is at an age where he is wanting to push his boundaries that little bit more, he wants to play with other children and is going that little bit further a field as he gains more confidence in being further away from his parents.
I know that Leo is cheeky and mischievous, he deliberately pushes buttons to see what reaction he will get. He also has a very good idea about things that he definitely shouldn't be doing, he looks for approval in everything his does these days, and sometimes a simple look is suffice enough to let him now what isn't acceptable.
What makes me laugh is that some parent's completely forget that their older children were once exactly like my two year old. They forget that once upon a time it was their little boy running around, they forget everything now that their little boy is that bit older. They forget these things by commenting on Leo, saying in conversation that 'He was never like Leo, he didn't do any of these things' basically insinuating that he sat perfectly still and certainly didn't get as excited as Leo does... you are really saying that Leo is a bit of a live wire, that he is naughty.
I look around the table trying to read the rest of their faces. I have a far different recollection of events that took place when this same little boy was younger. The same well behaved little boy scribbling on arms of the chair in felt tip pen, running around and play fighting, taking things a little too far and giving his Uncle a bloody nose... And getting away with it in each instance. In just this week alone he has been part of the reason that Leo has even got down from the table in the first place, lead him away to play just after his dinner has arrived. I can see that others are thinking along the same lines as me but I let the comment wash over me, it really wasn't worth rocking the boat.
I think as time goes by it is easy to forget these things, I know that Leo is excitable but the difference is I am there in every instance. I see everything that happens, I tell him no. Maybe she really doesn't remember? Maybe it made her feel better to insinuate that Leo is at the centre of mischief?
Regardless... I think it is important to remember. I know I will. I know that Leo has ants in his pants, I know that I have lost count of how many people I have apolagised too as Leo accidentally runs over their feet as he whizzes past in a blur. I know that Leo keeps me firmly on my toes and that he will decide to play as soon as dinner arrives in a restaurant...
But I remember.
It's important to remember, especially before passing judgement.
Last Friday we packed up the car with buckets, spades and plenty of goodies, all ready to head to sunny Bournemouth for a week away. We sat expectantly awaiting the sound of the roaring engine that meant we would be on our way, although the sound we were greeted with meant that we weren't going anywhere in a hurry.
The car was not going to start. The battery was completely flat. So Granddad whipped out the jump leads and we were soon on our merry way down the motorway.
The hotel we were staying in was no palace, but it was a huge improvement on my last stay in a hotel. It was basic but most importantly it was clean. It backed onto the beautiful Bournemouth gardens that went straight down to the beach.
I was set for a blissful week with my beautiful little man.
The moments spent with Leo were perfect. He was on top form and entertained not only I, but the entire hotel residency.
We took breath taking walks down to the beach and dipped our feet in the sea together for the very first time. That very first wave was a shock for Leo and for a moment I thought that he was going to hate the experience, except that was not the case. The next wave proceeded to make Leo chuckle and smile. In fact he loved it so much that he didn't want to leave...When Daddy tried to walk him back out of the water he dug his feet into the sand, before sitting down and not relenting a single inch.
Leo toddled all over the sand and even managed to keep his balance. This was his first real experience of the beach in all it's glory, as this is the first time he has visited and been on his two feet. He really did make the most of it, putting his face down onto the sand to get a closer look and lifting his head back up again covered in gritty sand. I wiped his face on countless occasions before I realised that it was useless. Leo was going to do it despite my reservations.
By the beach are a few small rides, one being the Carousel. We watched it go round and round as the horses went elegantly up and down. Before I knew it, I had given the ride attendant some money and I was climbing on with Leo. We made ourselves comfortable in a carriage as I did not trust Leo to sit still enough on a horse, and did not fancy keeping him still while the ride was in motion.
Leo's first Carousel experience was such a hit, he was amazed by all the lights and the music. I had not been on the Carousel in years, but sharing that moment with Leo brought back all the magic from when I was a child.
Unfortunately there were down sides to the week. My aunt infuriated me and did not consider Leo in her dinner arrangements, opting into eating later and not compromising in terms of timing. This combined with the aggravating comments spiralled me into a rage, that resulted in me leaving dinner early. If I had stayed I would have blown my lid and that would have been awkward for everyone. My leaving early however did not prevent a argument, and as soon as I departed both of my aunt's were bickering like five year old's.
After this I decided it best to eat earlier, which meant Leo and I were getting lot's of quality time together. I didn't mind at all, and it made the rest of my evening more enjoyable.
I guess when you go on a extended family break...There are always going to be split hairs and different agendas, but is it really that hard to compromise on a suitable dinner time that suits all? Is there any real need for rude comments that made me feel a few inch's tall?
The time with Leo has been great and we have had a great time in each other's company. This time with Leo takes the sting out of the negative part's of the week, and although I have not forgotten what was said, I have not risen to it.
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