It might seem that holidays with very young kids are more trouble than they’re worth. We’re here to present our top four reasons why holidays are worth taking.
If there’s one thing you learn quite quickly when you become a parent, it’s that babies come with stuff. Lots of stuff. And then there’s your hard-won routine. Which is why when it comes to that weekend away, it might seem like packing up and breaking routine just for a few days’ break is more trouble than it’s worth. We’re here to say it is, and here are four reasons why.
1. It brings you all back together
Being at home comes with routine, laundry, admin and work. There’s always something to do at home, something to wash, fold or wipe. But once you get to your destination, you really only have the necessities and each other. As clinical psychologist Nikki Themistocleous says, “holidays create time and space to reconnect with your loved ones” in a less pressured and stressful environment. Without all the noise of daily life around, you can truly just be together.
2. Bond with friends or family
Depending how you do it, holidays with non-nuclear family or friends can be a wonderful bonding experience. Mom of three Elizabeth Bishop says she likes to go away with friends or family as, “it’s also nice for them [children] to go away with other young kids” giving them “freedom to explore with less adult hovering.” The more responsible adults you have together, the higher your chances of actually getting some time to relax! Sure, you’ll have to take your turn watching the kids, but you’ll also get a chance for a little time out (you might even score a lie in!). Nikki reiterates that, “These breaks – whether at home or on holiday – are vitally important for mental, emotional, psychological and physical health.”
3. Time to play
How much time do you get to spend playing with your kids? Often both parents work and kids are with someone else during the day. Even if one parent is able to stay at home, the other parent is probably at work for the bulk of the week. Holidays allow everyone to take a break from that routine. A beach holiday gives you time for sandcastles and paddling in the shallows. A winter getaway opens up afternoons spent drawing, tickle-wrestling on the floor and doing puzzles over and over. It’s not about what you do, but about the time you spend focused on each other instead of the daily grind (or your phone).
4. Time to build memories
When you’re on holiday – and reality and routines are briefly suspended – you get the chance to make memories. If you look back into your childhood, what do you remember? The average Tuesday or the time you pitched a tent in the pouring rain and made mac and cheese on the gas stove? Holidays are unusual. They’re a time when the normal rules don’t apply and they help create bright, interesting points on the tapestry of life.
So next time you consider a holiday, try to grab it with both hands – don’t pass it up because it was too hard to organise. Holidays are the times your little ones will remember when they are adults, and the ones you’ll cherish when your kids are all grown up.
This article was written in collaboration with Joburg-based clinical psychologist, Nikki Themistocleous.
