If you’ve got a long stretch of time to entertain your children, it can be a little daunting. However, having lived in France for over 20 years, I’ve noticed that a lot of families end the two-month long vacation actually feeling rested.
I therefore asked some of my friends for their best tips to making the long summer months as enjoyable for all as possible. And below you’ll discover my findings that I hope may help and inspire you, or at least make you feel like packing your bags and heading to France… with kids in tow!
1
Lean on family
This isn’t just the case of getting grandparents to look after little ones during the summer — although a lot of friends who work will send their kids for a week or two to spend some quality time bonding with the seniors in the family — but more a question of gathering cousins, aunts, and uncles together if possible.
Their children have constant playmates and the parents can spend some time relaxing together. Of course this is easier in a country like France that is smaller and where family can be quite local, or where you might go to stay at a relative’s summer house.
2
Keep things simple
We often make things more complicated than they need to be. Kids don’t need to get in and out of cars and go from one place to another. If you’re going to go on excursions, limit them to one a day, or maybe two if your children are older.
One friend of mine shared that her five-year-old daughter spent one whole day in the neighboring field with her slightly older male cousins looking for insects. Her daughter said it was the best day of her life — not sure for the insects they discovered!
3
Make meals the priority
It’s no mystery that the French love a good meal, and this is true during the vacations. Try and keep a routine of having family meals where screens are completely banished. The food itself can be simple: a salad, cold meats, and some nice cheese and fruits.
This also extends to meals with friends or family. Take the time to set a nice table, invite people over and get the kids involved in the preparation. If you go out for a meal take the kids with you, even if it’s a little later than usual… it’s the holidays!
It’s also true that in France that while there are often kiddy menus, lots of children will also be encouraged to eat what their parents are having to give them more variety. Children are certainly not given special treatment, which does make it easier, but I appreciate this is super tricky if you have kids who are fussy or have allergies.
4
Make the most of the great outdoors
As many French families will spend the bulk of their holidays in France they will make the most of the natural geographical beauty available to them. This can be going to the Alps for a trekking vacation, or heading to the many beaches to dip their toes in the sea.
Wherever the family decides to go, they’ll certainly be encouraging their kids to soak up all the wonders God’s creation has to offer.
5
Take time to get bored
One of the things many French families do is go to a summer house in the middle of nowhere, or visit a friend or family member with a house that’s pretty cut off (and worse still, with terrible internet connection).
While this can be agonizing for teens, they are forced to content themselves with having some proper down time: reading, cooking together, going for long walks and playing board games. The key to making this a real success is allowing them to invite a friend or relative to spend time with.
6
Chat to kids about things that matter
In my own personal experience, I’ve found that older teens in France are often far more politically engaged than kids from England. And I think this is because parents take the time at dinner time to discuss what’s going on around the world and at home.
Parents will encourage their children to give opinions and make them feel part of the conversation, and even the solution. Therefore, when you’re chatting at dinner don’t shy away from talking about the things that really matter in life — from the hot topics in the news to the wonders of life and the gratitude they might feel.
And today we celebrate...