Holidays Archives - Conversations through the middle

Happy holidays – winter sun in Austria

December 13, 2012

This past few days have seen a dearth of posts from me – that’s because 40s Chic has been having a long-overdue rest with the family, our first holiday together for several years. We are in Austria, in a place called Saalbach Hinterglemm, a ski resort spread between the villages of Saalbach and yes, you’ve guessed it, Hinterglemm.

Dot, the OH and I are enjoying such cold and so much snow you wouldn’t believe. And everything keeps going – traffic, trains, businesses, it’s all life as normal even with four feet of snow; I’ve seen people walking their dogs, mothers pushing babies in prams and elderly ladies walking to the supermarket unaided, which beggars the question why, when we have a tiny bit of snow at home, does everything and everyone come to a grinding halt?

But enough about the weather. We’re having a lovely time and Dot and I are going to have a ski lesson tomorrow (hopefully). We have done lots of walking, swimming and sightseeing (oh and in the case of OH and I, wine and beer drinking) and the hotel is great. Everybody has been really friendly and people go out of their way to help. It’s not the type of holiday we usually go for – sun, sea, sand – but it’s all the better for being so different. And who knows, if the ski lesson goes well tomorrow, we may be hooked.

Back to school – ban on term-time holidays?

March 13, 2012

I read in the news that the Government is thinking of making it illegal to take your child out of school for a holiday during term time. What? Have politicians got nothing better to do with their time? What about the state of the economy, the problems with the NHS, the financial climate and global warming for goodness sake.

Is it a case of ‘we can’t control the important things so we’ll control the little things instead, so we still feel like we’re in, er, control’? It beggars belief.

Whether or not a family takes a term-time holiday is down to the family, the school and lets face it, how much money they have. Obviously it’s not ideal, but have you seen the cost of holidays at peak times?

At my daughter’s school for example any parent who wants to take their child out of school during term time has to discuss the situation with the head master. He takes into consideration attendance and the school schedule – whether there are exams coming up. If attendance is deemed satisfactory and there are no exams looming, then chances are the request will be granted. He is a sensible and reasonable man with a family of his own who is well aware of the financial pressures on parents, especially at this time.

Parents were informed at the beginning of the year that no time off for holidays would be granted in May for year 6 pupils as that’s when they have their SATs, which is only common sense, and I haven’t heard of any parent arguing against that.

Politicians should take note that parents do not take their children out of school to be disruptive, rather they take kids out of school so the whole family can enjoy a holiday together, quality time together so they can relax and enjoy each other’s company without the daily stresses and pressures we are all under, all of the time. The alternative for many would be no holiday – going away during school holidays is just too expensive.

Banning families from taking term-time holidays would be counterproductive – part of being a kid is behaving like a kid and where better to do that than on holiday? It’s where families bond, create memories the children take into adulthood, enjoy new experiences, laugh and play.

The lucky ones will continue to do that during official school holidays; the rest of us will have to go without. I wonder which group the politicians fall into…

Christmas crackers

December 18, 2010

Why is it everybody has to have the perfect Christmas? Every magazine I pick up at the moment has ‘handy hints and tips’ on how to achieve it, or even a complete countdown to the big day, from when to wrap presents to when to carve the turkey? Surely it’s just one big lesson in how to become completely stressed out over an occasion that should be fun and relaxing?

‘Relaxing’ I can hear you shout from here. ‘Christmas, relaxing, how mad is she’? Well quite, as it turns out, but that’s another story. Think about it – does it really matter is you’re still shopping for gifts on Christmas Eve, never mind wrapping them? Does it matter if the dinner isn’t ready dot on three, or the potatoes are out of synch with the bread pudding? Everybody will enjoy the meal anyway and you will certainly enjoy it a lot more if you are more chilled and less frazzled.

I think we all risk forgetting this is supposed to be a happy time, and whether that’s because of the expectations heaped upon us or us heaping them on ourselves I don’t know. I’m not being bah humbug, I love Christmas and the build up to it. I just don’t see why it should be a time that puts so much pressure on people. There is no right or wrong way to celebrate, to cook dinner, to shop or spend time with family and friends, just the way of the individual – that’s what matters. And if you eat your dinner at 5 and forget all about the Christmas pudding, that’s up to you, and not some cookery editor on a magazine somewhere.

Ho, ho, ho

December 20, 2009

Well before the hectic festivities get underway and take all of my attention, I just wanted to say have a very Merry Christmas and I hope a very enjoyable one.

I’m not likely to get the chance to post again before January as I’m off with my family to Tenerife. That’s two firsts for me, my first visit to Tenerife and my first Christmas away from home with my partner, daughter and mother-in-law.

Here’s to a happy and prosperous 2010! x