Letting your kids go on holiday with their grandparents! To do or not to do?!

Let’s all admit it without feeling guilty: summer when you have a child doesn’t feel like freedom and relaxation anymore. Nurseries and summer camps close down, and we find ourselves having to cope with work (and the heat!), chores (and the heat!) and our kids (and the heat!) for almost two months, without having a moment to ourselves to relax.

Some lucky parents though, do have someone who comes to the “rescue”: GRANDPARENTS! Those kindly, loving mythological figures who on a morning half-way through summer knock on your door loaded with luggage and big smile to announce “We’re ready to go on holiday with our beloved grandchild!”

Let's face it, again without feeling guilty: our first reaction is one of pure joy, almost relief as we put out baby into their loving arms for a few weeks of holiday in the mountains or on a sunny beach, ready to enjoy a few days of peace and quiet.

But then ... yes, it takes no more than 24 hours without the pitter-patter of tiny feet, giggles and cartoons at 7 …..you suddenly start missing them badly, and even worse: you’re bored!

For months, you’ve been dreaming of having just a few days to yourself to do all those things you love doing, without having to entertain your kids, and now that you can do just that, you don’t know what to do with yourself.

We have some ideas, and we’d love to hear yours!

Set your alarm clock later than normally do: it may seem to be trivial and almost unbelievable, but when your kids aren’t home you can actually get to the office on time even if you get up at dawn. Try it to believe it!

Makeup and dressing: without your children to chase up and dress, you have all the time in the world to choose your outfit and put on your makeup with care (properly!) ... in other words, you have time to take care of yourself!

Exercise: now that you don't have to rush off to pick up your kids from the summer camp in time, you have the time to go running or do yoga, Pilates o dance classes ... in other words, take the opportunity to exercise!

Drinks with your friends: it's true! Since you became a Mom you’ve neglected your friends quite a bit, but you can make up for lost time now, by going out for a drink with your friends at a favourite bar and chatting till late!

A romantic dinner for two: yes, just the two of you, without whims, crying and evening cartoons. You don’t have to go out to a super-expensive restaurant at all costs, even a candlelight dinner on your terrace can be magical!

Just one last word of advice: don’t feel guilty about enjoying a bit of peace and quiet, and dedicating time to yourself! You’re not neglecting your kids because they’re having a super time at the seaside or in the mountains with their grandparents. And when you see them again, you will have so much more energy to spend quality time with them!