No matter how much you can protect your children and tell them not to do something, accidents can always happen. As a child myself I was happily playing on a slide with my siblings one minute and then one unfortunate movement later, I had fractured a bone in my leg! You shouldn't feel like a failure if this happens to you as a parent - most children are resilient enough to bounce straight back. But there are a few things you can do to help your child to recover quicker if a fracture or break does happen. In this post I am going to share a few of these, to hopefully give you some ideas and reassurance.

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What to do after the Injury?

If your child required surgery or to be in a cast for a long time, then it's essential that you compete physiotherapy after. Physiotherapy is a vital stage because it ensures that there are no complications, by helping to restore function, increase strength, improve mobility, of course reduce any pain they might experience. It is advised to begin physiotherapy as soon as possible after the immobilisation period, as this will give the greatest chance of preventing complications. Timescales for this will differ depending on the injury, so it's best to seek medical advice on this.

Choose a physiotherapist that boasts all of the necessary qualifications and are exceptionally experienced, especially in post-fracture rehab. They are a whole host of different treatments available to help aid recovery, including strengthening exercises, flexibility exercises, massages, and gripping exercises. If you’re worried about the cost, it is worth looking into personal injury lawyers who offer top-notch legal solutions if the accident was not your fault.

What Can you do from Home?

After a big accident like this, then it is important to rest and relax as much as possible. Don't add any extra strain on the affected area (although this can difficult with very young children). Self-care is one of the most vital components when it comes to post-fracture rehab and plays an important role in recovery. Your child can of course take any needed pain medications if needed, but try not to rely on these too much. 

It might be that you need to adapt your home, and family routine, during this time too. Create a comfortable area for your child to relax in, and don't be afraid to provide more screen time than usual - it may stop them moving about too much! And definitely make sure you have in their favourite snacks, this will undoubtedly cheer anyone up during this difficult time.

This is a collaborative post.

Easy Ways to Improve your Kitchen

With most of us having lots more spare time at home over the next few months, it's a great time to look at different parts of the home to what might need fixing up or improving. A part of the home that very often needs a little care in this way is the kitchen, especially as it is an area that is vital to the family home, and constantly in use too. In this post I'm going to share a few of the ways in which you can improve your kitchen, to hopefully make it feel like new again!

Fix Appliances

Maybe there are one or two appliances in your kitchen that are not working as well as they could be. Look to fixing any that are absolutely essential for cooking and storing food, so that you can make sure you can still do all of those normal things. That might mean finding a new heating element for your stove, new parts for your fridge, or simply replacing your kettle that is full of limescale. Just make sure to be careful if fixing electrical yourself.

Have a Deep Clean

The kitchen is probably one part of the home that needs a good deep clean more than any other.  Now is a great time to clear everything from the sides, pull out the appliances, and have a thorough clean. Take out everything from the cupboards to clean them, and then make sure to throw away any items that are out of date or unusable. You can even have a look to see if you can arrange your cupboards in a better way with labels and baskets to help.

Have a Shuffle

You might have long felt that many of the items in the kitchen are not exactly in their best place or in the best order. Now would therefore be a good time to reshuffle items in the kitchen, and to reorganise the room generally so that it is going to be in a much better state. If you can do that, you are going to find that you have a much more inviting and enjoyable kitchen, and that cooking is a lot easier to do easily too.

This is a collaborative post.

What are the Best Skincare Treatments for Me?

Being a parent, running a household and trying to fit in work, it can often feel as if you've got to let things slip in order to get everything else done. But one thing you should never let slide, is your skin. Protecting it from harm with a good at-home skincare routine is important. Equally important is getting any damage that does occur treated as quickly as you can to prevent any lasting damage. In this post I am going to share some of the top clinical skincare treatments you can use to help you.

Laser Treatment

Short of having surgery, one of the most reliable ways to treat your skin in a clinic is with some type of laser device. Picking which device is the part that gets tricky. If a surface treatment with fast results is what you are after then an ablative laser procedure is the one for you. Otherwise, non-ablative treatments that help repair deep tissues (but take a long time to do so) might be more up your alley. Many of today's best diode laser devices are also multi-functional, all-in-one devices, meaning that technicians can perform several different types of treatments without the need to change devices.

Light Treatment

LED light therapy and IPL (intense pulsed light) can both help alleviate skin concerns like wrinkles as well, without being as intrusive - neither are performed with actual laser light. Since they are gentler than laser procedures, but their results often take more treatments and more time to become apparent. This is definitely a good route to take if you don't need immediate results.

Medical Treatments

Microdermabrasion, which is like mildly sanding your skin, is a way of resurfacing your skin with the use of safe chemicals. Another medical option to take is microneedling, which is a process of treating your skin with tiny needles in order to smooth the surface. Sound wave treatments like ultrasound and many more skin procedures options also exist, so it's well worth doing plenty of research before settling on one.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is becoming an increasingly popular skincare treatment, offering a range of benefits to help improve the appearance and health of the skin. Two popular physical therapy options are Cryotherapy and Pressotherapy. Cryotherapy involves the application of extremely cold temperatures to the skin, which can help reduce inflammation, boost collagen production and improve skin firmness. Pressotherapy, on the other hand, uses pneumatic compression to stimulate circulation, reduce fluid buildup and promote lymphatic drainage, resulting in smoother and more toned skin. Read more about pressotherapy treatment here. These therapies offer a non-invasive and relaxing way to improve the skin's overall health and appearance and are particularly effective for those looking to enhance their skincare routine in a natural way.

How to Make the Right Choice?

If you choose the wrong skincare treatment for your skin not only could you have wasted time and money, but you could also risk lasting damage to your skin. It is therefore incredibly important to make such an important choice about your skincare by using the resources available to you. Speak to your clinician or dermatologist as they will be able to give vital advice. And make sure to take the time to weigh each skincare choice carefully before lining up the first skincare treatment.

This is a collaborative post.

4 Ways to Brighten up Your Home

It may be finally spring, but we all know how unpredictable the weather can be in the country. And if you're spending lots of time indoors, then a dark and gloomy space will definitely not give that spring feeling either. Luckily there are things you can do to combat this though, and in this post I am going to share 4 ways in which you can do this!

New Light Fittings

If you want to brighten up your home without too much cosmetic work, then changing up your light fittings is a good option. Consider adding spot lights to help brighten up recesses (these can be useful in the kitchen for lighting up the space under cabinets). Another option could be track lighting which involves adding multiple lights to a single overhead fitting . High bay LED lighting as found at https://www.lepro.com/led-bay-light could meanwhile come in handy for lighting up high-ceilinged rooms. It could also be as simple as changing the bulbs in your existing fittings too - just popping in a bulb with a higher wattage can easily add more light to a room.

Add More Windows

This step of course requires a lot more work, but by adding extra windows you could help to introduce more natural light to your home. Windows could be built into walls or you could add skylights into ceilings - ideal for extensions and lofts. You could also install glass doors to provide an entrance and let in light. A frosted glass door can be great for brightening up a gloomy hallway, or bi-fold doors leading out onto outdoor space for example.

Remove Interior Walls

Removing interior walls and opting for a more open-plan layout could also brighten up your home. It could allow natural light to reach the inner rooms of your home, rather than relying on artificial lighting. Removing interior walls if of course a job left for the professionals, so like adding windows, is more of a larger job to consider.

Finishing Touches

Brighter colours (whites, creams, pastel colours) reflect more light, so are great for giving the impression of a bigger space. This can also be incorporated into fixtures and fittings around the home; consider opting for lighter tones of wood in the kitchen, and avoid dark coloured sofas and soft furnishings. You can also brighten up your home by making use of reflective surfaces such as mirrors - placed opposite a window these can create the illusion of a bigger space. You can also use reflective materials to help brighten up a room such as laminated wood or chrome steel. High gloss paints are also effective at reflecting light and could be an option for kitchen cabinets, doors and window sills.

This is a collaborative post.

4 Things to Consider Before a Bathroom Makeover

If you have just bought your own home after years of renting, it can understandably feel like the most exciting time of your life. You may want to jump straight in and start on cosmetic changes and renovation projects. But actually it's not the best idea to start doing everything straight away. Instead, focus on the most important (and most used) area of your home such as the bathroom, and make sure to follow the below steps before jumping in head first.

Budget

Most importantly of all, before thinking of anything else you of course need to work out what sort of budget you have for the project. None of us have money that enables unlimited spending, so there's no point picking a bathroom suite that you could never afford! But having a budget means that you can stick within what is affordable for you. Make sure that you factor in the costs of materials, finishing features and also the labor for the fitting. Covering it all means there are hopefully no nasty surprises to contend with.

Decide on the Style

The first thing you want to do is to decide on the style of bathroom you want in your home. This can depend on the space you have available, but think about what's there now, and the changes you want to make. You may have space for a separate shower and bath, or you may want to make the room feel bigger by combining the two. It could be that you want to think about a change of layout. Things like colours and also the style, such as a modern or contemporary finishes should all be decided upon before you start any work.

Fixtures and Fittings

When it comes to the bathroom you may not think there are dramatic changes that you can make. But there are ways you can add style and substance to such a small and well-used area of your home. It could be searching for electric towel rails, picking suitable bathroom storage or even a fancy interactive bathroom mirror. Just make sure to keep with the budget (as stated in point one), and measure everything for size too.

The Finishing Touches

While the project is underway, take some time to think about how you want the overall look to be. Now is the time to start thinking about colour schemes, the accessories you want on display and ultimately how you want your bathroom to look. You are spending good money to have this project done, so you want to ensure that it turns out how you imagine it to be. Pinterest and Instagram are great sources of inspiration for things like this and can often give you some ideas that you may not have even thought of previously.

This is a collaborative post.

The Best Care for your Elderly Relatives

Growing old might be a privilege denied to many, but it doesn't make it easy. Whether you’re the one that’s advancing in age, or you’re caring for elderly parents or grandparents, there are certain things to be aware of with this season of life. Research shows that older adults are more likely to suffer with loneliness and the effects of advancing age on their health. But with the right support this can be a time of happiness, relaxation and enjoying your family! In this post I'm going to share 3 ways in which you can enjoy this period of life.

Care

Finding the right place to live is important. If mobility issues mean stairs are no longer an option, then a bungalow or a complex where there are lifts would be the best bet. If there are further care needs that need to be considered, then moving into a residential home which is designed for elderly adults may be the best option though. It doesn't have to be a nursing home, there are many places that allow people to keep their independence while providing support. Alternatively if you’re caring for older family members, you may make the decision to move them in with you so you can look after them yourself instead.

Finances

For elderly people living on a state pension managing finances can be tough. Make sure you’re getting everything you’re entitled to, and learn to budget to manage the money you do have. If you’re caring for a loved one then you could help them by providing meals or taking on some of their care, rather than them having to pay more to an outside company to do this. It might be helpful for them if you take over the management of their finances too, so that they aren't stressing (or unknowingly over spending!)

Quality Time and Socialising

Regular visits from you and the rest of your family are bound to be appreciated, which is especially important if one of your parents lives alone or are housebound. Spend time with them, show and interest and get the family involved. If your elderly loved one lives in a nursing home or part of a complex with other residents, then make sure to encourage them to go out and speak to others too. These kinds of friendships will give them a sense of belonging within their community, and staying social and interacting has been shown to be highly beneficial for elderly people.

If they live alone, search for 'senior activities near me’ and see what kinds of clubs and groups are available to them. You could also encourage them to be social by setting them up with an easy to use phone or even a Skype account, on a tablet or laptop and teaching them how to use it. This way they you or they can keep in touch at any time of day!

This is a collaborative post.

4 Home Improvements that Add Value to your Home

When you own your own home one of the goals that people often have is to add value to it where they can. Whether it’s to make sure it’s a solid investment, make you home more to your taste or to try and climb the property ladder, there are certain improvements that you can make that add value to your home. In this post I am going to share 4 of the ways you can make a difference in your home.

Walls

When you decorate each room you should make it a focus to treat your walls to a little love and attention. Having smooth walls that are in good condition make your home much more appealing, easier to decorate and it adds value. So each time you decorate a room take a little bit of time to smooth over any dents, treat any mould and give it a coat of paint first. If you want to put wallpaper up, it's also a good idea to have them completely skimmed, to make them smooth and feeling brand new. If you do it room by room, you will soon have all the walls in your home complete.

Windows and Doors

Having new windows and doors installed is a great and easy way to add value to your home. It will make your home look fresher and newer, as well as making your home more energy-efficient. There are plenty of options with door installation - you could even have a sliding door in place of an existing window to open up your home to the outdoors. Doing this can make your home feel bigger and extend your living space in the summer too, by allowing you to have the doors open up to an outside seating area.

Attic Space

Although this may be a little costly, the value you can add to your home definitely outweighs the cost. Most commonly an attic conversion is usually used to create a master bedroom with ensuite and wardrobe/storage space (which then leaves the existing bedrooms to be used for children). Adding a conversion to your home means that you are appealing to a wider range of buyers, and you are also creating a great space to use rather than it been wasted space. You could even use the extra room that you have freed up as an office space or playroom.

Kitchen and Bathroom

These rooms are very well-known for adding value to a house. A brand new kitchen or bathroom suite can be expensive to install. You can save a bit of money by buying second hand, or getting a family member or friend to install for you. Having modern utilities if you plan to stay in your home will make your life more comfortable, and you are also appealing to buyers if you want to sell in the future.

Have you done any projects that have added value to your house?

This is a collaborative post.

How to Design a Child Friendly Bathroom

If you’ve had children you’ll understand the overwhelming urge you have to protect them at all costs. Of course this doesn’t just mean teaching them the ways of the world and supervising them while they play outside. It means keeping them safe even while they are in the house too. In fact the home can be one of the most dangerous places if you don't make it child friendly! In this post I'm going to be sharing some top tips and advice, to help you design and create a child friendly bathroom on any budget.

Blinds

If you don’t have blinds in the bathroom you can skip this step. Although it’s an important point to make (not only for blinds) but for any hanging wires or pieces of material in your bathroom. Make sure to use the correct clips to secure blind cords, check the length of the light pull so it's not at child height, and be careful with loose shower curtains too.

Child Locks

Make sure you add child locks to the toilet and cupboards before your children are old enough to get curious about them. It can be difficult to unblock toilet when your child has flushed something crazy down there, and adding a lock can help you to prevent this. It's a good idea to lock up medicines or expensive and dangerous products to prevent accidents too. You can also limit sharp corners in the bathroom by covering them up if you feel you need to.

Anti-Slip Mats

Slipping is a huge safety issue in the bathroom. Water mixed with soap can make polished surfaces slippery enough for adults, let alone children! Anti-slip bath and shower mats are a good way to prevent this. You can get child specific bath mats, but any design will do the job just as well. Just make sure to replace these often as they are a breeding ground for mould and germs if left in wet, damp conditions.

Bathroom Cupboard

Although you can add locks to cupboards, it may also be a good idea to keep specific items out of reach. Keeping razor blades, medication, and other things that can be dangerous to children out of the way is a must. 

Secure Furniture

By making sure your basin and other fixtures are as secure as possible, you’ll avoid accidents your child could have when putting their weight onto them. You never know what ideas your child might get when your back is turned, but if things are properly secured at least you reduce the chance that they will crash to the floor and hurt themselves (while also creating extremely expensive repairs for you). 

This is a collaborative post.

3 Easy Health Swaps to Make as a Family

Before having children I only had myself to think about. If I wanted to stay indoors all day eating junk food then I could. It would only impact how I felt (and looked). But now I have three young children I cannot just think of the impacts on myself. If I don't go out and exercise, then my children won't either. If I don't eat fruit and vegetables, then my children are more likely to do the same. It's easy to fall into the trap of an unhealthier lifestyle when you have children though - time is short. But there are some really easy changes we as parents can make, in order to have a happier and healthier lifestyle as a family.

Walk More

If you rely on your car to get you from A to B, it's one of those habits that is very difficult to break. With any change as far as health is concerned, it's about implementing the little things and gradually expanding further out. When it comes to something like walking instead of driving it's not realistic to do this over many miles. But think about the shortest journey you make and, at the very least, try to walk for a part of it. The fresh air can do absolute wonders for not only your mental health, but also your body, and you may very well breathe easier. If you are a smoker swapping from cigarettes to something like salt nicotine e-liquids can help but when you are looking at your ability to breathe, a little bit of cardio will make a big difference!

Swap to Whole Foods

If you eat a lot of white bread or white pasta, swapping it to the whole wheat equivalent will do so much for your digestive system. We live in an age where people have numerous food intolerances and if you are someone who does struggle, you will see a big difference. You can start to add other things into your diet that are more fibrous too. Not only does fibre make you feel fuller, but it's also good for your diet too.

Reduce your Sugar Intake

We all know that if we eat too much sugar we become addicted to it, which makes it hard to stop consuming it completely. One of the best ways to bridge the gap though, is to swap sugar filled products for natural versions instead. Something like honey or maple syrup can be a good starting point if you still need the sweet hit!

In order to look after our health, especially for the sake of our children, it's not necessarily about the massive swaps in life. If we can start to make these little alterations so much so that we don't notice we will be able to gradually make bigger changes over time. Good luck!

This is a collaborative post.

How to Save Money on your Family Car

There is no getting away from it, cars are expensive. Not only to own but also to run and keep on the road too. Just the initial cost of buying your car in the first place can leave you feeling as if you simply cannot ever afford to buy a newer car when you need one. One way that you can try to help spread out the cost of buying a car though, is to take out a car loan. Whilst car loans can be incredibly useful they are still going to come at a price. The good news is that there are ways that you can reduce the cost of your car loan; and here are some of the best.

Look at your Credit

Just like any form of borrowing; the type of deal (and rate of interest that you pay back for that matter) on a car loan, is going to be affected by your credit rating. If your repayment history isn’t that great, or you have a lot of credit taken out in your name, then chances are that you are not going to get as good a credit offer. Make sure that you repay things on time and work hard to reduce the amount that you owe to help improve your credit score

Don’t Finance with the Car Dealership

It may seem a whole lot easier to sign a car finance agreement at the dealership. But whilst a car dealer can sign you up for a car loan, they are acting as middlemen, which means that you are going to be paying them for arranging the credit for you. It is a much better idea to find a source for the money yourself, then head to the dealership to buy the car. That way you are responsible for the deal that you secure, not your car dealer.

Try and Save First

Loans are incredibly useful to finance a car purchase, but if you think that you can actually save the money (and you have time to spare before you need a new car) then it is actually better to save instead. Saving the money might take longer, but it means that you don’t have to worry about paying interest on what you borrow. You also don’t have to worry about paying it back as your car will essentially be bought outright.

Of course, some people are going to want to (or need to) buy a car in a very short space of time. Which means that you are going to find whichever deal you can and go for it. However, if you do have time to spare and want to shop around, then you can save yourself some money in the long term as well as treat yourself to a new way to get around!

Visit this site for more information about car options. 

This is a collaborative post.

Lilah at 2 Years Old

The last time I shared an update on Lilah she was 18 months old and just blossoming into a toddler. She's now a few months into her second year, and my goodness has she grown and developed so much since then. She's definitely a fully fledged toddler now - and boy do we know it!

We had her two-year review a few weeks ago where we managed to get updated weight and height measurements. She is roughly 12.7kg (around 27lbs) and 86.5cm tall, putting her on the 50th percentile for both. She's always been little miss average so it's good to know she'll still following that curve. She's still fitting into a few size 1 1/2 - 2 years clothing, but we've mostly switched over 2 - 3 years (although it is still a bit big at the moment), and wearing size 6f shoes. We've nearly finished teething forever as she now has nearly all of her teeth through.. hooray!

In regards to the review she's doing absolutely amazingly. Excelling in nearly every aspect, and developing exactly how she should. Lilah can count to 10 (and knows a few more too), jumps with both feet off the ground, climbs everywhere and everything, and still thinks she can do whatever the older two are doing. I love that she's so independent with her play but still enjoys the company of other little ones - although as with most 2 year olds we are struggling with sharing. Her speech is still surprising me daily too. She can have conversations now and is talking in full sentences a lot of the time. Toddlers really are amazing!

Her routine is still very similar to 6 months ago, except we have stopped her morning beaker of milk and her nap is usually a little shorter. We get out nearly every morning, whether it's to a playgroup, the park or for a hot chocolate and cake (she loves a trip to the coffee shop!), and then use our afternoons for relaxing and naps. She's still in her cot for now as she's sleeping so well, but I think we may start thinking about making the switch to a bed in the next few months. We're also planning on potty training very soon too as she's giving us all of the signs that she's ready.

Lilah loves to sing and dance, do puzzles, watch Peppa and Butterbean's Cafe, dress up, read books, playing babies, gingerbread men (at the coffee shop with mummy), playgroup, her big brother and sister, and her muzzie and dummy. She dislikes a lot of vegetables, going in the buggy when she wants to walk, brushing her teeth, sharing her toys, and getting told off (for copying her mischievous brother!).

I absolutely love this age as they really do grow and change every single day. Yes the tantrums may be strong and she's getting cheekier by the minute, but I really wish I could keep her this age forever. Stop growing so fast my little Lilah Bear!

Make Flying with Children Easier with These 3 Steps

Whether it’s a package holiday in the Sun, or just a trip to our local beach, travelling with young children can be a stressful time. You can't just pack the day before and turn up to the airport as late as possible when you have children - just airport security alone will take a long time! But there are some things that you can do to make travelling with your children much easier, and I'm going to share 3 of the main things you can do in this post.

Plan Ahead

Children thrive on routine - knowing when mealtimes are, what time they are going to bed, and what activities are coming up helps prepare them for the day ahead. You don’t necessarily have to have a large itinerary of items to do every day, but depending on your energy levels it is a good idea to ensure that you have something for the children to look forward to every day. It is also a good idea to plan ahead before you travel too. Booking things such as airport parking and Faro Airport car hire for when you arrive will help with your plans too. You will know that your car is safe at the airport, and that a vehicle waiting for you at the other end too!

Snacks

Children can get much hungrier and bored a lot quicker than any adult, so making sure that you have healthy (and some sweet) treats for along the way can be a lifesaver. It's a good idea to calculate how long your travel is likely to be - taking any delays into consideration - so you can make sure you bring enough snacks for the journey. I always pack a few extra snacks for the holiday just incase the food isn't to my children's taste, and don't forget the journey home either!

Entertainment

Entertainment is the number one thing that you will need for a long journey with your children. There are electronic devices, colouring books, and a whole range of entertainment items that your children can choose from. Of course your children will remember and remind you of what you need to take, but there’s a good chance that this isn’t always going to be sufficient for the amount of time that you are travelling, so make sure to take backups too. And also have some alternative ideas for the journey, such as word searches or drawing incase batteries run out or your child gets travel sick from electronic devices.

This is a collaborative post.

Create the Perfect Home Office

The changing nature of jobs and improvements in technology has meant that remote working is exploding in popularity. And because of its success, it's now something that affects a higher number of families than ever before. In today’s economy, there’s a good chance that at least one parent, like me, works from home some of the time.

If you work from home then having a dedicated space is incredibly important. A space where you feel relaxed and ready to get on with the challenges of the day, that also feels separate from your day-to-day life in your home. In this post I'm going to share a few of the ways that you can transform your office, to help make it into somewhere you actually want to work.

Storage

Getting up from your comfy computer chair to rifle through your filing cabinet is a massive hassle. It interrupts your workflow and adds inefficiencies to your day. For this reason, many home workers place their storage right next to their desk. All they have to do is swivel around on their chairs, and all the files they need are at hand.

Lighting

Bright lights can be a great addition to a room that you use for a few minutes at a time, but they can really begin to grate after a while - especially if you’re the type of person prone to regular migraines. Products like the LEpro LED panel light are a new solution. Instead of using a single bulb to emit light, these systems spread light out over a wide surface area, preventing any part of the lamp from being too bright. Add these panels close to your desk; providing enough visibility to get your work done, but not so much that it makes you wish you were somewhere else.

Comfort

When you work from home, you can pretty much design your office environment however you like. You won't have any managers breathing down your neck keeping an eye on you after all! Adding comfortable spaces can therefore be a real bonus for people who work from home. If you don’t need to be at your desk for a few minutes, you can sit back and enjoy the plush seating and cushions. Blankets are also great if you room is particularly cold, and can really help you feel comfortable while at work. 

Greenery

Greenery in your office can make a massive difference to the way you feel. And the more of it you have the better! The primary purpose of greenery is to help you to feel more relaxed. Having indoor shrubs in the background releases a series of uplifting hormones that lower your stress levels naturally. This therefore, in turn, makes you happier to be in your office in the first place. A lot of people place plants directly in their field of view, such as on or beside their desks. 

This is a collaborative post.

Family Holiday Ideas for Summer 2020

With the endless rain and weekly storms I'm sure I'm not the only one who is dreaming of summer. Especially a summer family holiday! Although it can sometimes feel like a lot of work to get the ball rolling on where you’re going this year, family holidays really are the best. We already have our holiday booked, but to hopefully inspire you a little, here are some destinations for family summer holidays in 2020 (which you may not have thought about before).

Ibiza

There’s a lot more to Ibiza than partying and raves. Most of the “mad” things are all confined to just two areas of the island, so avoid these and you can have a lovely Mediterranean sunny holiday. We visited a few years ago and it really is a beautiful island!

If you are a slightly bigger family like us (or travelling with extended family) I’d recommended looking at hiring a car (don’t forget baby seats are free on most flights) and then renting a villa or an Air BnB instead. The advantage of renting a villa over a hotel is having all the amenities and items you’d need at home, and you can use the car to drive to the bigger Lidls and Mercadanos that locals use to do their big shop. The pool will always have plenty of sun loungers too, so there will never be an early morning fight for one!

Holland

Holland has two things going for it when it comes to a family holiday: the coast is incredibly flat - a miracle if you’re pushing a pram about all day. And there's plenty to enjoy as a family too. A bit like Ibiza, you wouldn’t think of Holland as a standout summer destination for a family holiday, but it has a surprising amount of family-friendly attractions to visit. You’ll know The Hague because it often pops up in the news, but the city that sits between Amsterdam and Rotterdam has a lovely pier and is buzzing on summer weekends when families come to visit.

You’ll also want to check out Efteling Theme Park (Holland’s answer to Disneyland), Nemo Science & Technology Museum in Amsterdam, and if you’re travelling with little ones, AdventurePark Hellendoorn is a mini-theme park that purposely has smaller rides for kids under-12 to go on.

Foça, Turkey

I've already shared a post about planning a family holiday to Turkey (which you can read here) which focused on Izmir on the west coast of the country. It’s ideal if you want that Mediterranean style summer holiday but also want something just a pinch more different than the same old holiday to Spain.

I’d also recommend having a look at some of the family holidays Mark Warner currently have on offer, as they have a dedicated family resort in Foça with all sorts of activities and childcare options. It includes everything from yoga on the beach to kayaking to family bike roads along coastal roads. And with everything included it’s ideal when you want a holiday where mum and dad hardly have to lift a finger.

Northern Ireland

Not the most exotic destination, but the fact you can hop in the car, drive onto a boat, and arrive in a gorgeous part of the UK on the other side, makes it a fantastic no-fuss family holiday - especially if it’s all last minute. The country has become a tourist hotspot in recent years due to Game of Thrones, but there is a lot for families to see and do.

An hour’s drive north of Belfast on the ferry will take you to the Giant’s Causeway which has to be seen to be believed. There’s also the ultra-family friendly town of Portrush (apparently Barry’s amusements is where families go in the summer), the lovely coastal route to the city of Derry, and plenty of families activities around the Titanic Quarter in Belfast. In just a few hours the family can go from learning about the Titanic to playing scientist at W5, to navigating a ninja course at We Are Vertigo. It’s the kind of place you can easily tire the kids out and have a quiet evening at your hotel; absolute bliss for any parent on holiday.

If you want to read more family travel posts, why not check out all the adventures in the travel section, including recent posts on how to make travelling with children easier and oh so many posts about Disney.

This is a collaborative post.