Mums: how to 'enjoy' a family holiday more?

[oooshlapoosh]

My post appears very cynical so I apologise for this, but I genuinely have trouble enjoying many aspects of a family holiday (on the whole). Of course, there are many elements I do enjoy, but if I'm honest, in some ways, I find them a chore.

I'm a mother of two young DCs, quite introvert and enjoy time to myself, which is difficult to achieve at the best of times, so how do I achieve this on a family holiday when you're all together constantly?

Also, by the time I've made a list, washed dryed clothes, packed the cases- I'm feeling worn out before the holiday has even begun.

Then there's the journey, the extra planned in stops, the masses of unpacking when you arrive, the lack of sleep because DCs wake several times during the night when in unfamiliar surroundings. Then the last day is spent repacking it all, trying to locate everything etc etc.

DH tries to help but we had a huge argument during our last holiday when he started loading the cases into the car before I'd had chance to finish packing them! We're always snappy by the end of the holiday because we've spent too much time around each other.

I'm relatively new to holidaying with children and really want some tips on how to cope, how to lighten the load, perhaps how to organise myself and DH better too!

Before I had DCS, I'd pack the night before and all would be fine! Now I find myself making lists a week in advance and packing for 2-3 days well into the evenings! I'm sure we're all in the same boat here, but are there ways to make it easier? Where's the fun for me?

During our last family holiday, I overheard an argument between a family and the mother walked off in a huff- she was trying to explain why the family needed to return to the accommodation earlier as there were things to do. The teenage daughter then asked her father "why does mum have to cast a shadow over our fun every time we go on holiday" the father looked to the floor and sighed, giving the impression he was thinking the same. I remember thinking: I don't want to be the one throwing shadows over family holidays, but I can see this bring the case.

Any tips to make them easier, more organised and me, less of a stressed out nag?

We go on a lot of self catering hols and always get an online food delivery sent to to the holiday address for the first evening there. I do it from home the day before we go. Saves a lot of hassle packing and trailing round supermarkets when everyone's shattered

Lovelyfriend- see my earlier post about holiday ing as a single parent.

Holidays are meant to be fun- not laundry and dishes!

I love camping though. I only do the cooking on holiday I want to do - or we eat out. I'm perfectly Ok with that. I don't have any problem with washing up while on holiday.

But yes the packing, planing etc is all down to me as a SP - but that is far preferably to doing it all while another adult lays back and leaves you to it. Or as XP used to do, ignore any requests for help and then the night before earnestly ask "what can I do to help?". Turns out the correct answer to that question was "not live here anymore thanks"

I quite enjoy the planning/packing for a holiday - it's not stressful for me, but a nice part of going away. I have lists already for our Easter holiday.

I do the holidays with my DC we want to do - I have a great time. Yes I'm usually a bit knackered when I get back but that is fine - it's the knackered from having loads of fun, and being outdoors all the time and running around together, so it's the right kind of knackered. The DC then go off with their Dad for a coupe of weeks and I get 2 weeks of getting up at 8 and slowly getting myself to work. That is my "rest".

Now I've started a new "tradition" of going away for a week just after Xmas by myself when the DC are with their Dad. That is when I really chill out & sleep in.

What makes the biggest difference to any parent on holiday I think, is the children getting older. Once you don't have to keep an eye on them 100% of the time, but can say read a book poolside while they safely splash around on their own - well that makes a massive difference.

As a SP I can't afford much, but me and DD have gone camping every year for past 3 years.
She loves running around bare foot with kids she meets... no baths... no bed time routine. BBQ each night. Fish and chips on beach each day 😀
It is hard work packing and putting up tent, but it's cheap and we both love the fresh air and taking it as it comes...
She's usually sound asleep by 9. I sit by the fire with a beer (or ten) and chat with adults... it's actually very relaxing.
We're pretty smelly and dirty by the end of the trip... but who cares?