We’re currently away in a self-catering cottage on the south west coast and if I’m honest I’m finding it really stressful.
I feel a bit guilty saying it because we’re lucky to be here and I know we should be enjoying it, but it just hasn’t felt like much of a break.
There are quite a few adults here, plus my 7-year-old DS and 2-year-old DN and I think the combination of lots of people, different routines, noise, decisions about what we’re doing, meals, shopping, and trying to keep everyone happy is getting to me.
It’s also been so busy everywhere due to being the summer holidays too.
It also feels like it’s been one thing after another since we arrived - travel stress, unexpected problems, and now my son being sick today (although thankfully he seems much better now and is acting normally again).
I feel like I’ve been in “problem-solving mode” rather than actually relaxing. Plus all the cleaning and preparing food and no down time.
I love my family and I do appreciate the holiday, but I’m finding myself craving some quiet time and feeling a bit overwhelmed by the constant togetherness.
Does anyone else find self-catering holidays with extended family harder work than they expected? Or am I just being ungrateful and should be enjoying it more?