A Balanced Holiday Break

Sometimes as a Mum, you make decisions not based on any specific reasoning, parenting philosophies or age-old wisdom, but solely upon what can only be described as a ‘mother’s instinct’ – that strong feeling of what is ultimately best for your children and your family. After returning home from our holiday house stay last week, we were meant to have three days reprieve at home (one of those days being Easter Sunday) before embarking on a five hour plus car journey to Bremer Bay, joining my brother-in-law and his family who were going to holiday there.  However, at the last minute, we chose not to go, forfeiting the bond we’d already paid on a chalet but with Paul and I both feeling such an overwhelming sense of having made the best decision for ‘us’.

Instead, we enjoyed a relaxing few days at home. Easter itself was a simple, casual affair at our place with the obligatory egg hunt followed by a small lunch. The rest of the long weekend was spent at home pottering, playing and spending time together. We went for a morning swim at the beach, had friends over for a fish and chip dinner and took advantage of the balmy evenings by lingering outdoors as long as possible.

Then, on Tuesday afternoon, we returned to the holiday house. We had a fabulous dinner at a little Italian restaurant in town, ending the night with a delicious crème brulee dessert which the four of us shared. On Wednesday we went for a boat trip to the marina for morning tea, accompanied once again by some friendly dolphins, including one who playfully did a two metre high ‘Sea World style’ leap and twist out of the water not far in front of us. This morning, we woke to Grace and Sophie carrying Paul’s present into our bedroom for his birthday. As always, breakfast was enjoyed in the first morning light on the deck, this time with the added treat of croissants to feast on. And then, once packed, we headed home late morning, eager to settle the girls back into a more normal routine and to make sure Grace was well rested for kindy tomorrow.

As a mother, only you know what is best for your children. It’s so important to trust that little voice inside and to go with that gut feeling of what is right for your family. For us, with our girls at the ages they are, what’s best for us are simple days, still filled with adventure and fun, but balanced with down time and rest too.