Mum's the word: Forget the emails - Go and have some fun with your children

Around mid-January we booked a week away in Portugal last minute. We had completely missed out on Christmas as all three of us got that nasty virus that struck down most of the country.

And frankly we couldn’t face January without having had some decent rest and a bit of fun too. So my hubby, daughter Joan, and I flew into Lisbon, rented a car (only €83 for five days) and took our time travelling south to Faro. We spent four amazing nights in a lovely Airbnb in Quinta do Lago.

The days were split between lots of pool time, visits to the ocean beaches and a day trip thrown in the middle for good measure.

It was complete bliss — and for a number of positive reasons.

For one, it was a chance for my eight-year-old to see new things and experience a new culture for the first time. To take in the sights, a different language and try new food, all wonderful things I think for children to experience growing up.

Joan’s confidence grew in trying to order food in Portuguese and she was addicted to saying “Obrigada!” by the end of the trip.

Another reason was there wasn’t any clock, no routine, instead just time to enjoy being with one another. We got up when we wanted, had breakfast at a leisurely pace (outside too!) and together as a team we could plan the day. I feel it is crucial now that Joan is approaching nine that she feels she has some say in what we do as a family.

So she mapped out the first day, which of course involved being in the pool lots! Then we took her to a beach nearby and it was one of the happiest times I have ever seen her be.

She was thrilled taking her shoes off, rolling up her pants and running into the ocean.

She loved the ocean ‘chasing’ her and the feeling of sand under her feet.

The memory of the three of us running from the waves, and ultimately getting soaked, will be with me forever.

My husband picked our destinations for the next day, which involved a trip to historic Silves. Again I think it is essential for Joan to see history, see culture, and to learn about it.

We walked the old castle wall there and she did enjoy it and asked more questions than I thought she would.

We also took her to the most south western point in Europe, Cabo do Sao Vincent. And while I am not sure if the geography of the place actually sunk in, for Joan to be able to only see ocean for as far as we could see I am sure will stay in her memory too.

The main reason the holiday was bliss and the most important one is we had fun together. Both my husband and I said on the plane home that we realised after the holiday we need to make more of an effort to have fun with Joan.

Ignore that email that has just come in and play mad scientist with her. Tickle her and chase her. Tell jokes and stories together.

These are all things that bubble so easily to the surface when any family is on holiday together but nearly always fall away once we are back at home and in our old routines.

The perfect example is Joan begged us to play tag every morning and there was such a nice green space out the back of the house that we did. The three of us were in stitches each time, breathless from laughing so hard and that can only be the best thing for both kids and parents.