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Relate’s seven wonders of summer survival

Jul 26th 2011, 14:25 | P3t3r

Tips for surviving the school holidays

1.   GET PLANNING

• Make special plans together to enjoy the long summer days (and evenings!) and be committed to sticking to them.

• If budget is an issue, why not make use of special offer vouchers to help your budget go further?
• With the long school break, “I’m bored” can often be a common phrase around family homes. Give children responsibility for making a wish list of what they’d like to do. This can both empower them and take the pressure of high expectations from parents. Remember to give children a budget though!

2.   RELAX

• If you, like a lot of the country, are planning a ‘staycation’ this summer, make sure you switch off. Be sure not to look at work emails and not answer work calls. Laze around and make time for family and friends.

3.   STAY COOL

• Being hot can often make you fractious and can cause arguments. Cool down by jumping in the paddling pool with the children or even have a romantic water fight!

4.   BE SENSITIVE

• Try to see things from the views of your partner, or each member of the family. They might want different things from your break, but it’s about compromising, to make sure you both get the best out of your holidays.

5.   DELEGATE

• Take the pressure off yourself by involving everyone in the packing and preparation for your holiday.

6.   GET CLOSER

• Make use of time to reconnect as a couple both emotionally and physically.
  
  

7.   TALK AND LISTEN

• Unrealistic and unrealised expectations, disappointment and breakdowns in communication are things that Relate counsellors hear frequently when people come to talk to us.
• Make sure you keep talking and listening to each other about your needs from a holiday.

Happy holidays!!