We’re All Going On A Summer Holiday!

by Allison Marlowe

As we drive along the M27 towards Eastleigh airport, Imogen calls from the back of the car “Mummy, are we there yet?”

“Not yet darling,” I reply, glancing at my husband, wondering just how our three girls aged eight, three and 19 months are going to cope with the pending flight to Majorca and subsequent coach transfer.

My husband, Bernie and I were determined that having a young family wouldn’t deter us from having a family holiday. We aren’t seasoned travellers but we wouldn’t let that deter us.

Most parents will agree that is near on impossible to have a totally stress free holiday with young children in tow– what with all the extra luggage you need but with careful planning and some organisation much of the stress can be alleviated. We wanted our holiday experience to be exciting and enjoyable for everyone so we could share happy memories for years to come. So with a huge dose of imagination and patience I was sure our trip would go smoothly.

In fact the girls coped extremely well, it was the first time in an aeroplane for all of them. We were incredibly impressed. Things were going just as I’d foreseen. The planning was paying off, we’d put a lot of effort into making the holiday a real adventure, showing the girls pictures and talking incessantly about what we would see and do when we got there. It appeared that my assumption that the children would take their cue from Bernie and I was accurate. Transmitting our excitement and positive feelings about our trip had rubbed off on the girls.

After a long day travelling we checked in, settled into our room and then set off to explore. The two bigger girls could hardly contain themselves and wanted to climb straight in to the pool. We assured them that there was plenty of time and we would check the pools out first thing in the morning.

Needlessly to say the girls awoke early the next morning, after a buffet style breakfast we set off to find our spot by the pool.

The route from the restaurant took us past a 1.75 metre pool, a 1.5 metre pool and a 1 metre pool. By this time the girls were itching to get into water. The kiddies paddling pool was visible in the distance, we’d carefully checked it's whereabouts the previous evening.

Imogen, our three year old made a bee line towards the paddling pool meandering in and out of the chaotically placed sun beds. Abbi-Louise (a swimmer) went the other way to look at the larger pool.

Imogen was only a few places in front of us and reached the todder pool, she sat down on the side on the side. "Wait there, Imogen" called Bernie who quickly diverted his attention to our 8 year old who still heading for the larger pool.

Suddenly, Imogen is head down in the pool. I screamed "QUICK - HELP". I'd taken my eyes off her for less than 10 seconds. Frantically we both scrambled over the sun beds not caring who is in the way. It felt as if everything was in slow motion. Time stands still. I’m still shouting “get my daughter out of the water.” Thankfully another father jumps in and pulls her out of the shallow water, Bernie reaches him first and grabs Imogen consoling her, hugging her close to him. My heart is in my mouth. “Is she breathing?” I yell. Her lips were a little blue, she coughed and she spluttered but luckily, she was no worse for wear, maybe a little surprised by the attention she was receiving. It took us hours get over what happened both Bernie and I kept replaying the scene over and over again in our minds.

Nothing is certain in this life, this fright has taught me to remember just how precious our children our and how you need more than eyes in the back of your head. It just goes to show how rapidly events can occur and how this could have had a very different ending.

Incidentally, Imogen went on to have swimming lessons later in the week and after our shock we all enjoyed a fantastic holiday sharing the precious time and adventures we had together.

Read Allison’s Top Tips for Travelling with Children

About the Author:
Allison Marlowe is passionate about parenting, she has over 20 years of extensive experience working professionally with children and their parents and before re training as a life coach was an Early Years lecturer in further education. She founded the successful Pace of Life Coaching and co-founder of UK Parent Coaches. She lives with her husband and four children and knows first hand the challenges many parents face.

Contact her today on 02392 644598 to see how she can help you find solutions to any parenting situation, from sleepless nights to rebellious teenagers, juggling childcare to finding some regular time for yourself, you will be able to reach your full parenting potential and develop a positive relationship in which to raise happy, responsible and confident children.

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