Travelling with the family – who looks after mum?

Around Easter many families head out to explore and connect with loved ones. Family time is always best shared, but make sure to keep it balanced. Regardless of where you are heading this Easter – make sure to look after yourself a little bit too!

The key here is to find the balance between your own needs and the needs of the family. Many mums will organise everything for the family and find themselves almost too tired to enjoy the journey.

These tips will allow you to get some time for yourself to charge the batteries, even when the whole family is on the move:

Offer to run an errand. Leave the kids with grandma and go do the food shop, buy tickets or organise something that needs doing anyway. Sometimes a moment to yourself can recharge any tired travel batteries.

Be honest. Make sure to express this with love and simply say to your partner/mum/family that you’d love to have an hour or two to yourself. It’s not weak or selfish to ask for support. It’s actually very selfless as it’s in the best interest for everyone. It also means that you’ll be much fresher for the rest of the weekend if you have a little while to yourself today.

Utilise the different sleep patterns. If you’re an early riser and your partner/family are not – go for a morning walk/jog/coffee and enjoy time to yourself before the house wakes up. If they fall asleep before you, do something just for you once they’ve gone to bed. A bubble bath or a good movie can recharge the batteries quicker than you think. And yes – a good sleep can be that thing you need more than the bubble bath!

Share the fun. The more the merrier, right? Invite relatives and family in and allow everyone to help out with the activities, cooking and socialising. It’s not one person’s job to keep everyone happy, even if it sometimes feels that way. Remember – the more hands on deck and the better you delegate – the easier it is for you to grab a few minutes to yourself.

Try new things together. When you’re away with the family you’ll most likely all be feeling a bit more adventurous than you would back home. Plan a new and fun activity together that everyone can participate in and let your hair down. Laugh together and immerse yourself in the memories you’re creating for your family right now. Fill your energy tank with both fun together and moments to yourself.

Realise your limitations and what/who is most important. Everyone is different, but most people prefer a maximum of two activities a day when on holidays. Keep fun and remember that it’s also ok to sometimes say no to things.

Accept people for who they are and still get the help you need. Staying with the in-laws or having them come stay with you is amazing (helping hands), but it can also be a challenge for many mums. By coming from a place of love and accepting the family members for exactly who they are you can actually have a better time together and even more time for yourself. When people have purpose and a task to focus on, they tend to get to work and stay out of our way. So involve the in-laws (and other family members) wherever possible. Give them a specific task in the team and make sure they feel valued and important. This way everything gets done and not all of it has to be done by you!

Remember, if you look after your needs as well as the family needs, you’ll all have a much better time away together.

Often we can push our own needs aside for long periods of time to adjust to what the family needs and wants, but it will definitely catch up with you at some point. Especially on the move where you’re often in a smaller space compared to your home.

There is nothing wrong with being just who you are, whilst loving your family to the moon and back.

How do you find time to yourself while on holidays? Please share in the comments below.

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44 Comments

- - ella12 said
  - 11 Jul 2017
    12:14 pm
Great tips to consider here, thanks.

- - mom81879 said
  - 21 Nov 2015
    1:18 pm
If we go away on a family holiday, but it is a family holiday, so I plan to spend a lot of time with my kids. Hubby and I have weekends away when we have time away from the kids

- - mom113055 said
  - 20 Oct 2015
    3:16 pm
who looking after te mum

- - mom94125 said
  - 18 Oct 2015
    6:18 pm
get a lovely bubble bath happening

- - mom160421 said
  - 05 Oct 2015
    4:57 pm
I utilise different sleep patterns everyday, not just on holidays. I always tend to stay up at least an hour or two after everyone else has gone to sleep. It’s my “me” time when I can read or enjoy tv without anyone interrupting.

- - dbhall82 said
  - 29 Sep 2015
    11:12 pm
Great tips as we are going on our first family holiday in nov!

- - dannsbuild said
  - 07 Sep 2015
    10:31 pm
That’s very nice! A good story!

- - mom107723 said
  - 01 Jun 2015
    12:32 pm
We all need a break thats why i allow the children to help plan, budget and pack for our holidays, seems to work well for us, the kids look after us in a way.

- - mom94125 said
  - 01 Jun 2015
    11:32 am
these are great tips for any holiday. Don’t forget dad needs a break too

- - mle00 said
  - 26 May 2015
    11:33 pm
mums have to Shoulder So much

- - mom113055 said
  - 18 May 2015
    12:20 pm
so great

- - mom113055 said
  - 15 May 2015
    7:55 pm
it s truly great

- - tam_watters said
  - 15 May 2015
    2:38 pm
When I read the headline I thought it may have been a trick question!

- - mom113055 said
  - 13 May 2015
    4:03 pm
it s just great

- - mom135828 said
  - 11 May 2015
    1:34 pm
I find going on holidays stressful. I’m the one who has to pack for myself and two kids, organise everything and then deal with two kids out of routine while we’re away. I would love a day away by myself!
- EmmyPetersson replied
  
  11 May 2015 , 9:21 pm
  So many mum’s feel this way! So important to create an enjoyable balance for the whole family. And there is nothing wrong with time away just for you sometimes.
- - mom113055 said
  - 10 May 2015
    3:47 pm
good to read
- EmmyPetersson replied
  
  12 May 2015 , 8:25 pm
  Thank you, lots more travel tips available in my blog – http://www.thebridgecoaching.com.au/relocationblog/
- - mom74959 said
  - 30 Apr 2015
    9:46 pm
Great suggestions.
- EmmyPetersson replied
  
  12 May 2015 , 8:24 pm
  Thank you!
- - nadine_hill said
  - 28 Apr 2015
    9:42 am
#1 is my go-to tip for getting a little time to myself! Trotting off the shop for something gives me the time I need to breath, relax and re-focus!
- EmmyPetersson replied
  
  12 May 2015 , 8:25 pm
  Great one Nadine!
- - MrsMcD said
  - 23 Apr 2015
    11:59 am
I find holidays so stressful. I have a preschooler and a toddler. They are out of routine. I don’t have my normal things with me. Things aren’t safe for my two little monkey climbers. I worry that they will break things. I am always after a ‘holiday at home’.
- EmmyPetersson replied
  
  12 May 2015 , 8:26 pm
  A holiday home can be a great in between travel step, especially while you have little ones!
- - EmmyPetersson said
  - 09 Apr 2015
    7:27 am
Glad to hear that the tips were useful! When travelling it’s important to recharge everyone’s batteties, especially mums.