Today the word that sums up the week that was is:
It’s a work in progress really. We booked this week in Cyprus back in January, knowing that it would be a long hard term for Leigh and that, if all went to plan, I would’ve just finished the first draft of my second novel. The fact that we made it – to the end of winter, to the successful completion of all our deadlines, and then to this little island so very far away from Devon – is achievement enough, really. But I’m not convinced we’ve got the whole relaxing thing cracked yet.
It is beautiful here. And were Leigh and I here on our own then chilling out would not be a problem. Having Arthur with us definitely complicates things a little – not that we’d have it any other way.
It’s the first trip like this that we’ve attempted since being parents – one where doing as little as possible is the main prerogative. Last year we went on lots of adventures, but we didn’t do much staying still. Oddly enough it turns out our fifteen month old isn’t too good at that.
We could of course have put him in the crèche, and we did consider it – although it doesn’t sit too comfortably with our attachment parenting approach, nor with the fact that Leigh and Arthur have missed each other so much over the past few busy months. As it turns out he hasn’t been very well, has been teething like crazy and breastfeeding like a newborn. He also, though he had been appearing to be pretty confident and independent, has suddenly hit a wall of separation anxiety. And all in all leaving him with strangers didn’t seem like such a good idea.
So we’ve been hanging out together, and Leigh and I have been learning that all the many demands of parenthood don’t go away just because we happen to be on holiday. But we’re working as a team, and managing to grab some moments for ourselves. And Arthur, though he’s undeniably a bit more grouchy than usual, is clearly enjoying being somewhere new. With a pool. And warm air. And lots of other little people.
To be honest, however much we’ve been yearning for some chill out time I think Arthur maybe needs to be able to relax a little too. To have mummy and daddy around enjoying each other’s company, and not to have to keep to all the different schedules we impose on ourselves back home.
And if we all enjoy some time together, relaxing as best we can as a family, then hopefully by the time we go home he’ll be healthier and happier with newly recharged confidence to face the next set of challenges that lie ahead.
Sophie is... 
That view is so pretty! Thanks for sharing! #WOTW
It was gorgeous. Yearning after it a bit now…
Wow it looks amazing, enjoy your break
Thank you 🙂
Gorgeous photos. Yes, holidays definitely do not feel relaxing with little ones! We learned that our first year with Boo, and now we’ve Little Man, too, there is no respite! We’ve not taken them overseas yet, but maybe next year, and maybe we’ll rest for 5 minutes?! Enjoy your break and that lovely sunshine x Thanks for sharing with #WotW
You’d have thought it’d be obvious really that relaxing with a toddler in tow would be a whole other ball game – but it definitely took us a bit of getting used to! We had a brilliant time in the end, though I was in awe of anyone with more than one kid…
Lovely photographs, glad your all having a lovely relaxing time 🙂 Popping over from #WotW linky x
Thank you 🙂
I think we have a few years before holidays might start feeling relaxing again! Its still fun though! We put our son JJ in a creche on site at the holiday resort we stayed at for our honeymoon when he was one. Only for a couple of hours on about 3 afternoons though. He was fine and it gave us that little bit of downtime where we didn’t have to be constantly running after him! #WotW
I think we would definitely have tried out the creche if we’d been on honeymoon… But we had lots of fun as a family in the end!
Sounds wonderful, I think just being out of normal routine is relaxing in itself. I hope you are all recharged and refreshed x #WotW
You’re right – a break in routine definitely helps to refresh things. And we did manage to get some time to chill in the end. All in all a pretty successful holiday! x
I think it’s important to teach kids to enjoy just being. What a beautiful place to relax in xx
I love that sentiment. I think Arthur was beginning to learn how to ‘just be’ by the end of the week – it’d be a great thing to nurture in him! x
Gorgeous photos!! Enjoy your break x
Thank you x
Wow, looks gorgeous, but it’s so hard to relax with little ones isn’t it? I remember when I realised there’s no such thing as time off when you’re a mum. It’s just parenting in a different place. Still I bet you’re making lots of wonderful memories. #WoftW
Lots of lovely memories, and having Leigh around did take the pressure off a bit!
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I have to say, the thought of holidaying with my two (10.5 and 29 months) fills me with dread, and a distinct lack of prospective relaxation. But you’re right in that being away from the schedules and general daily grind that occurs at home must be relaxing in comparison to everyday normality. Great word, and great post. Enjoy (o:
It really wasn’t as bad as I feared in those first couple of days! Not entirely sure I could manage with two though… 🙂