Kiddipedia
Spending quality time with the family during school holidays is a highlight of the year for most and one of life’s great pleasures, but there can occasionally be too much of a good thing. Establishing the right balance of stimulation and relaxation can be a tricky one and if you get it wrong…then you’ll soon hear about it in a myriad of forms. Add in extended family and different generations – there’s bound to be times when frustration levels may rise. However, there are several ways to help keep the peace during these more testing moments or avoid them altogether.
One sure fire way that tensions can build during the holidays is the feeling that you’re on top of one another and don’t have enough space to either enjoy each other’s company or find those moments of solace. I’m a firm believer that life is better lived outside and this approach will consequently provide the space necessary to maintain harmony within your family. Holiday parks are just one of the ways in which families can enjoy the outdoor lifestyle, elevate the school holidays for everyone and help to maintain sanity.
From exploring stunning scenery to water sports, fishing, hot air ballooning and everything in between, there’s always an activity that can keep younger and older family members entertained. Being cooped up inside doesn’t do much for anyone, physically or mentally – we’re fortunate with the climate in this country that the great outdoors is so readily available and we should be embracing it. There’s definitely an air of calm and tranquility that comes over me when I’m in nature and this seems to be reflected in my family as well.
When planning a holiday with family there can be a number of logistics that can cause some pre-holiday stress and most of it normally factors around the airport. From passports to organising parking, there’s normally something that causes a last minute panic and inevitably leads to the feted ‘blame game’.
We’re all guilty of sometimes forgetting what’s on our doorstep and embracing a good old family road trip can sometimes be just the ticket we need and help to avoid those stressful airport logistics. It provides young family members with a sense of adventure and creates an extra element of quality time during the journey. While not every family has to be the ‘picture perfect’ solution and be singing harmoniously in different octaves together, there’s a lot to be said for seeing the journey as an extension of the holiday.
There’s also no denying that cost of living issues are playing a significant role when it comes to family dynamics up and down the country. As the majority of Aussies feel the pinch, it’s natural for this to potentially lead to an increase in tensions within families and a stark sense that there are lifestyle aspects that need to be reigned in to ease financial concerns. Aussies love to travel and I feel very strongly that quality family time, away from usual settings and surroundings, can do wonders for everyone but we’re all trying to do this in a more cost effective manner. If you’re too worried about how much money you’re spending while on a holiday then everyone can sense this and it can create issues during a getaway. For the most part, children especially, don’t need to be in luxury accommodation for the European Summer – they’ll appreciate quality time with engaged family members and new experiences.
Families can be complicated beasts and we will all feel an element of frustration at times with certain members but give yourself the best possible opportunity to enjoy the next holiday season together. Embrace nature and embrace each other and you won’t go far wrong.
By Nick Baker, CEO at Reflections Holidays, the largest holiday park group in NSW and the only one in Australia to be a certified social enterprise, and a firm believer that Life’s Better Outside.
