David Coleman: How to make the most of staycations with kids of all ages

From planning stops on long car journeys to letting teens choose the fun activities, holidays in Ireland can be stress-free and fun for all the family

School-age kids make for great fun holiday companions as they’re naturally inquisitive. Picture posed

Dr David Coleman

July 14 2021 12:30 AM

It is rarely easy to travel with children. Not that we might be travelling far this year. There will probably be few of us getting away for a sunshine holiday this summer. Those of you lucky to get away at all will no doubt be holidaying in Ireland. If the dearth of self-catering accommodation is anything to go by, that is where most families will be headed. With that in mind, putting some thought and planning into your family holiday is well worth the investment of the time.

I was in Connemara recently with our Headspace Adventure summer camps and we regularly passed by a couple out walking the roads with their baby carried by one or other in a sling. I was reminded of those days when my own children were that tiny and how comparatively easy it was to take them on holiday. While babies typically come with a lot of gear, they are quite portable. Small babies don’t complain about being brought to museums, or other sights that you want to see. You can still set the entire agenda for the trip and what you do. If they are comfy in a sling or a buggy, they are usually happy to go where you go.

Once they hit the toddler years you have your work cut out for you, since they require constant attention, have minds of their own in terms of where they wander and what they become entranced with. Toddlers can be fussy, oppositional, fractious, heedless, and demanding (and that is before you’ve even left home). Many parents consider them to be nightmare holiday companions. It is well worth planning your days around your toddler’s nap times. Keeping some semblance of a sleep routine will mean that they don’t get over-tired, and they will be less prone to tears and tantrums.

As your children grow up, the prospect of a holiday being more than just simply “a change is as good as a rest”, becomes a reality. School age children often are the best holiday companions. They tend to be the most appreciative and the most adaptable. They are naturally inquisitive and can get a real kick out of exploring. For example, they are of an age where a day at the beach is an endless opportunity for new and fun things to do, from paddling, swimming, digging in the sand, rock-pooling, picnicking and more. You may even have time to sit and read a book for yourself, if someone else is on duty to keep an eye on where the kids are wandering.

Given that you may be doing some type of roadtrip this year, it is important to plan for the car journey. Simple games, books, audiobooks, and lots of parental attention will probably be required to keep children entertained. Think about where you’ll stop en route. Perhaps avoid my inclination, which is to get to the destination as quickly as possible, but rather plan for a walk or a picnic at some interesting location along the route.

With older children and teenagers, it can really add to a family holiday to include them in the decisions that will affect the whole family. Your destination is ideally chosen by consensus, or at least after discussion. Any activities or day trips that you plan during the holiday will need to consider the varied interests of different family members. Staying in places where they are likely to meet potential friends is also often a big consideration for many families.

It sounds a bit mean, but you do have to manage your children’s expectations. If money is tight then their holiday won’t necessarily mean meals out every night and an uninterrupted flow of spending money. If children are expecting a break from chores, for example, but you know you’ll be self-catering, then they need to know in advance that dinner-time chores will still be on the agenda.

You may have to manage your own expectations too. Think about what counts as a successful holiday or break for you. Does it simply require that the children have fun and you have a change of scenery, or do you need some “me-time” to feel like you’ve had a chance to recharge before getting back to work? If you need the me-time then you need to factor it in early in the planning, or you may feel disappointed and frustrated.

Indeed having an adaptable and flexible mindset is a real benefit when it comes to holidaying, especially here in Ireland where the weather can lead to a change of plans at a moment’s notice.

Being prepared to stay relaxed and calm can help when things do have to change or adapt.

A final thought on family holidays is to bear in mind that even with all of the planning and excitement that comes with going away, the change and unpredictability that being away from home entails might also bring shades of anxiety to the fore. That anxiety may appear as snappy irritability or even full-blown rows and disagreements.

There is a lot to be said for the predictability of going to the same place year after year. Maybe your staycation location this year might become your family’s go-to destination every year.

David Coleman: How to make the most of staycations with kids of all ages

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