Hey all,
I wanted to check in on the parents tackling the summer holiday juggle, how is it going? Laura and I have an 8-year-old and a 3-year-old, and we both work from home, so the juggle is real!
Currently we’re balancing annual leave with summer club a few days a week. We’ve got a few trips planned, a holiday in Spain, and the rest of time, we will need to lean on family and our little ones entertaining each other!
There’s so much pressure to make every day magical. Social media is full of perfect picnics, elaborate crafts and smiling family adventures, and it’s easy to feel like you’re somehow falling behind if your children are arguing over the TV remote before 9am.
The truth is, the summer holidays can be intense. Routines disappear, siblings spend every waking hour together, the house never seems to stay tidy, and by the end of the day many of us are running on empty. If that’s you, I hope this gives you permission to lower the bar a little. Your child won’t remember whether every day was packed with activities, they’ll remember how home felt.
So here are a few things that have genuinely helped us over the years:
• Don’t feel guilty about having “boring” days. Children don’t need constant entertainment. Boredom often becomes creativity once we stop rushing to fill every moment.
• Aim for one meaningful moment each day, not ten. A bike ride, a trip to the park, baking together or reading before bed often matters far more than expensive days out.
• Lower your expectations, not your standards. Your children are out of routine, probably sleeping differently and spending far more time together than usual. More conflict is normal.
• Remember that connection solves more than control. When behaviour becomes challenging, it’s often a sign that your child needs help with their emotions more than they need another consequence.
• Look after yourself too. Tag-team where you can. Take the shortcut dinner. Accept the messy house. A calmer parent benefits everyone.
Speaking of making life a little easier...
A few weeks ago we spent some time at Bedruthan Hotel, and honestly, it reminded me that family breaks don’t have to leave you needing another holiday afterwards. They had a craftroom for the kids, a playroom, indoor and outdoor pools, and it was a stones throw from the beach. So if you’re looking for a UK break with your little ones, check out the Bedruthan below…
If you want to check out our trip to Bedruthan, click here to watch my highlights reel. We’ve been visiting the Bedruthan every year since Luca was born, it’s definitely our happy place!
One of the things we love most about the Bedruthan is how much thought goes into making it enjoyable for both children and parents. There are plenty of activities to keep the kids busy, beautiful spaces to explore together, and moments where we could genuinely slow down instead of constantly trying to entertain everyone.
If you’re still looking for a family getaway this summer, or even planning ahead, it’s definitely worth taking a look. Sometimes simply changing the scenery can make everything feel a little lighter.
Finally, if the summer holidays have brought out more shouting than you’d like, please remember this:
One difficult day doesn’t define your parenting. Tomorrow is another opportunity to reconnect.
Have a wonderful week all,
Tom
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Tom Piccirilli, Founder of The Dad Vibes
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