Reasons why it is essential to holiday without your children

As a now seasoned parent, you’re getting used to the chaos that goes hand in hand with having kids; the constant noise, the relentless routine (and anarchy that ensues when this goes awry) as well as the persistent quarrels and endless questions…it really is a blessing.

So, the novelty is beginning to wear off, what now? Do you keep calm and carry on? Or do you “go rogue” and breakaway for a romantic break away: a sanity-saving expedition in order to retain your sense of self and save your fractious relationship. I’m selling parenthood huh?

Why it is essential to holiday without your children: It’ll make you a better parent and here’s how…

For yourself:

Set the inevitable guilt aside – it’s all part of the course – if you can plan a bit of time away for yourself it’ll surely transform your mind and body, a little self-care goes a long way and is an absolute necessity for your health and well-being.

Children need to see their parents as individuals aside from their role as Mum or Dad, so seeing you embark on your own adventure will remind them that you are more than someone’s parent, and more importantly, it’ll remind you that there’s more to your personality and chosen pursuits than the daily hum-drum of work and family routine.

Take yourself out of your comfort zone and book a little time away either solo or with the special friend(s) you used to see all the time in the days of being free and single. Remind yourselves of the shared passions that might not always be compatible with parenthood (pub crawl, anyone?) and perhaps push your boundaries by booking in an activity you’d never imagine yourself otherwise doing; whether that be due to time constraints, budget or simply confidence. You’ll thank yourself for it.

For your relationship:

Enjoying a break from family life together is so important for your relationship; you need – and deserve – time alone to reconnect as a couple to remind yourselves of the magic that made you create your family unit in the first place.

Relationships need to be nurtured and protected from all the pressures and stresses of modern life and it sets a wonderful example to children, particularly older ones, if they can see their parents investing that time into each other; ultimately, it’ll strengthen your family’s bond.

If you’re not comfortable with the idea of leaving your children behind for a week away – or simply don’t have the support network that’ll allow you to do so - then a short break will most definitely suffice. Whether you plan a long weekend away holed up in a remote retreat for two or hop on a train for a swift stay in the heart of a city, it feels quite illicit to make that journey together…and certainly won’t do you any harm in the romance department.

For the kids:

Guilt. It’s the one element of this that’ll scupper your plans and it’s more likely to be fellow parents, rather than your own offspring, that’ll project these cruddy feelings towards you as the countdown to your child-free adventure begins. But don’t let them penetrate your steely (and in my case, freshly plucked, newly-manicured and lightly tanned…all in anticipation of a poolside saunter) façade…

…The kids will be alright.

They are about to get dropped off at (most likely) a doting friend or relatives house. In our case, Grandma’s and she lives near a popular fast-food chain, has a king-sized bed and enjoys the novelty of sharing it with two little lads who give out squeezy cuddles and plant endless kisses on her soft hands. Grandma also enjoys hearing about the various challenges of Minecraft, embraces the chaos of the school run, is adept at peeling tiny stickers off her furniture and gets excited when she hears the words “epic Lego build”. Because Grandma doesn’t partake in these enterprises on a day-to-day basis, she is an enthused audience and it equates to a magical experience for all.

The kids will love their break – and so will you.  Absence makes the heart grow fonder et all.

Planning a child-free holiday? We’ve plenty of choice to inspire you; from city retreats, to boltholes by the sea, take a look at our collection and discover the perfect place to hide and sleep.

P.s. Need some inspiration on where to go? Check out our most unusual places to stay for something a little different, or our ultimate glamping getaways if you're ready to go off-grid!