Mumlife

As a mum like many others sometimes I need a break, and each year I am lucky to have an annual holiday. In preparation I choose my holiday wardrobe carefully. I dream about looking gorgeous on the beach, whilst getting my tan on. I have planned locations where I can model myself living my best life, and can’t wait to share my ‘Insta-style’ photos on social media. I mean come on, if everyone else can look slim and gorgeous, surely so can I right? But have you ever returned home, looked at your holiday snaps and suddenly realised you haven’t quite mastered the holiday shots you were hoping for?

Last year we were lucky enough to visit the Dominican Republic. Located in the Caribbean, the waters are truly crystal clear, the sands are white, and the beaches covered in palm trees.  

We took a day trip on a catamaran to a secluded beach, where you could drink as many free mojitos as you liked. Well it would have been rude of me to say no. It was hot, it was paradise, and I spent the day taking full advantage of the free bar. I literally have hundreds of selfies of myself staggering around this tropical island, with numerous pineapples filled with alcohol! #mumlife

Later in the day we boarded another boat which took us about half a mile out to sea. Once anchored up, we disembark into the clear waters for a swim. I am not sure how safe this actually is, considering how many pineapples I’ve drunk my way through. Not to worry here comes Dalvin with a blow-up floating bar. This incidentally is also free. I help myself, and then spot the photographer offering to take romantic pictures of perfect ‘Insta-like’ couples holidaying in luxury. This was my opportunity to show of paradise in its full glory. Here it is…

other year, and another holiday. This time Greece. Located on the coast near Athens, this was our first experience of ‘all-inclusive’. We had our daughter and her friend with us on this occasion.  Whilst I made some use of the free bar, I decided it best not to get completely smashed this time, and instead made desperate attempts to join in with the pre-teens in the pool as a good ‘Insta-mum’ does.  You may mistake this picture as something I have stolen from The National Geographic. Perhaps a beached whale giving birth to a Lilo? Sadly not.

Located at the back of the hotel was the beach, where an array of water-sports was on offer to all guests. Perhaps this was my opportunity for that perfect holiday ‘Insta-snap’? I handed my camera to the kids, instructing them to “get a good one!”.

On this occasion we visited the South of France, where we spent many days by the pool, in between stuffing ourselves with baguettes, pizza, BBQ food and copious amounts of vino rouge! The problem with this is that your body tends to expand, and if you have skinny legs like me, you can end up looking like a toad jumping into water!

When you leave the holiday site for a day trip out, it is essential that you visit local bars, try out wine tasting, experience the culture and meet the locals.

My quest for the perfect holiday snap has not been going too well.  I think it’s time I stopped trying to look perfect. What is perfect anyway? Who am I trying to impress? The thing is I may not look like some gorgeous young ‘Insta-chick’, but you know what? I quite like being me. I am incredibly lucky to experience lovely holidays and visit new places, and at the end of the day it doesn’t matter where you go, who you are, your age, your weight or what you look like. Be a good mum and give yourself a break!