FROM THE EXPERTS HOW TO GET THE MOST FROM A HOLIDAY WITH CHILDREN

When it comes to holidaying with a young family, the first thing you need to do is lower your

expectations, says parenting consultant Kirsty Ketley. “If all the kids eat is ice cream and

chips, that’s okay,” she says. “If they go to bed later than usual, that’s

also okay. It can take parents a few days to

relax, but the more they do, the more the

children will too.” Gail Hugman, founder of

the Human at Core consultancy, believes it

is important to plan activities and get your kids involved. Hugman,

a former teacher, says: “Primary-aged children are wired to develop

their knowledge, language and skills, and holidays are a great time to capitalise on the extra parental input, while having fun

together.”

But don’t forget that family holidays are about

every member of the family, which means it’s okay to cut a few corners.

“Allowing the kids to have tablets on holiday is not a bad thing, as long as you enforce time limits,” says Ketley. “That gives you the chance to relax and feel like you are

having a break too.”