Family holidays should be about the whole family
It would appear that family holidays aren’t always happy occasions for those going on them, and to give themselves some free time on holiday, parents are constantly looking for ways to keep the kids entertained. Some even wishing that they could have left the kids at home, according to a new poll by online independent travel agency sunshine.co.uk.
www.sunshine.co.uk carried out the research as part of an ongoing study into the holiday preferences and habits of people around the UK. 1,562 parents from the UK took part in the study, each with children aged 0-14, who had been away on a family holiday with their children in the past two years.
I think everyone likes a bit of ‘me’ time, but a family holiday should be exactly that; all about family
When asked if they always took their children on holidays that they went on, 78 per cent of those taking part said yes. However, when these parents were asked if they would prefer to leave their kids at home when going on holiday abroad, a quarter said yes.
These respondents were asked why that was the case, to which the answers included; holiday with kids are not relaxing enough; don't get to do what I/we want to do with the kids there; it's cheaper to leave the kids at home; and kids don't travel well (flights etc).
All parents were asked, on their last family holiday abroad with their children, what means of entertainment they used to keep their kids occupied and Kid’s clubs was the most popular choice, something which 51 per cent of parents had taken advantage of, whilst 31 per cent said that they had made friends with other families with children on holiday, so their children could play with new friends.
Chris Clarkson, co-founder of sunshine.co.uk, said: “Keeping children entertained on holiday isn’t difficult. Most resorts have plenty of facilities for children and you’ll find kid’s clubs in plenty of hotels; particularly across Europe."
When asked why they had made an effort to find their children something to do on holiday, more of the parents polled said it was for their own personal benefit of relaxation (67 per cent) than for their children’s benefit (33 per cent).
Chris added: "The parents we spoke to were obviously very honest when we asked them whether they tried to keep their kids entertained for their own benefit or for their children’s. I think everyone likes a bit of ‘me’ time, but a family holiday should be exactly that; all about family!”
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