Mum-of-three says she's a better parent because her kids holiday at UK caravan parks | The Sun

MOST parents would agree that kicking back with their kids on a care-free holiday is what memories are made of.

But for me, taking my three sons away to holiday parks throughout the year actually helps me to be the mum I want to be.

I'm quite happy for them to be off school so we can spend time together, as we all get so much from taking time out.

Getting away from the stresses and strains of everyday life gives me the time and space to focus on them and whatever real-world skills they need help to master.

One year, I taught my sons to tell the time at Butlins as they wanted to be able to work out what shows and activities were on when.

We'd taken a few toys and workbooks to show them the basics, but mainly it was just having mummy and daddy constantly on hand encouraging them to
work it out for themselves that made the difference.

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It's also easier to give them a taste of independence while you're away as it's a bit safer walking to the shop to buy bread on a holiday park than it tends to be on the busy roads at home.

They head off with a £5 note and a map of the park with our caravan marked on it to buy one or two essentials and know to ask for help from anyone wearing the park's uniform if they get lost.

Obviously they need to be able to cross a road safely and look out for cars before this is an option.

Once they arrive back with the change, we look at the different coins and work out how it all adds up. I know lots of my friends do the same.

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Last year, a big group of us visited Haven The Orchards at the
same time and the kids even had walkie-talkies so they could check in with each other, visit each other's caravans and have a walkabout without any parents in tow.

My eldest son has been packing for himself since the age of eight as he's so used to going away and what he needs to take in terms of clothes, toiletries and books.

I do still occasionally check to make sure he's got everything he'll need, but honestly he's better at it than I am.

He sometimes packs for his brothers too if they need a hand
while I'm busy getting everything else ready.

What I really love about being away together is seeing how the boys have developed from one holiday to the next.

My 10-year-old absolutely hated singing and dancing in his preschool nativity as a toddler.

A couple of years later, he tentatively joined a dozen other kids on stage at Haven Caister-on-Sea. And this Christmas, he was the lead character in his school's play.

Going to holiday parks gives kids the chance to try out new experiences, ones they might never come across
at home.

And they can risk doing something that might make them look a bit silly as it's not in front of people they see every day.

It's an easy win for a parent as everything is on site so there's no rushing here, there and everywhere, trying to get everyone to activities in different places.

And lots of the sessions are included in the price of the holiday, which makes it easier on the bank balance too.

Going to holiday parks across the UK has also provided me with a great chance to share my own interests with my sons, which we never seem to find enough time for at home.

Whether it's swimming, visiting historical sites or just watching a movie together, slowing down and getting away
from it all, even for a weekend, is a chance to reconnect and
recharge, ready for the return to the real world.

We've been lucky to stumble across some hidden gems at the various parks we've stayed at.

I like to leave plenty of time to just wander and explore, depending on when the mood takes us.

At The Orchards in Essex, we had a sneak peek inside an air museum inside a Martello tower, as we happened to
be strolling past when two volunteers were busy getting it ready for the summer season.

It was an unexpected slice of British history on the edge of the park where we were staying.

Seeing the boys listening intently and asking questions was a proud mum moment, which makes all the effort of taking everyone away worthwhile.

I hope we have lots more memorable moments to come in 2023 and beyond.

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Meanwhile, new £300million attraction is to open in Blackpool, with three huge indoor theme parks, live performances and a number of rides and shows.

And a huge new £250m indoor water park and spa is also opening in the UK in 2023.

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