Brits put kids first on holiday

We have finally broken free from the corsets of Victorian parenting. According to a new survey we now put our kids first on holidays - no more 'seen and not heard'! In possibly the largest survey of its type, over 7000 UK mothers bared their soul on travelling as a family, letting children have cake and [almost] forgetting who the adult is.

Sponsored by Sea-Band travel bands, in conjunction with netmums.co.uk, the survey shows that over 70% of mums value the family time together that holidays afford, above all the challenges that family holidays inevitably bring: hard work planning and keeping the show on the road (25%), cost (36%), stress and the unpredictability of today's travel (29%).

Once on holiday, other factors made the experience haphazard and challenging: children misbehaving ranked highest (82%), followed by illness (47%), with tummy-related problems (47%), colds (45%) and travel sickness (34%) among the top health problems likely to scupper meticulously planned activities.

On the topic of which parenting strategy worked best, respondents were split along two schools of thought - for half the key to success is in the precise planning and organizing of every detail ['plan, plan, plan!'], for the rest flexibility and a touch of free spirit keeps them ready for any challenge ['don't sweat the small stuff and relax!'].

Says Siobhan Freegard, founder of netmums.co.uk, and parenting author, "Holidays are for the whole family to enjoy, not just the kids or just the adults and that means, as usual, getting the balance right. It's fine to let children enjoy the kids club, but perhaps not so great to leave them in holiday childcare all day every day. Choosing a holiday that suits the whole family is key - while a hot, deserted Caribbean beach was perfect for your honeymoon it's not so great with babies (eating sand and getting burned) or teenagers ("boring!"). As with all things "parenting" recommendation is the best way to get your information.

"And further words of wisdom ... 'Bring along a grandparent' was a great suggestion by many survey respondents, that way mum and dad also get bonding time!”

Netmums.co.uk top tips for putting kids first, without forgetting the adults:

* Bring along your sense of humour
* Plan for travel sickness, always pack travel sickness wrist bands (Sea-Band)
* Divide and conquer, use strategic seating to keep the kids apart
* Travel at night, or plan travel around their sleep time
* Pack a few surprise treats
* Get the kids to pack their own rucksack with things they like, and keep their stuff separate from adults for ease of access!
* Bribery always works

And a final word of wisdom, in case you worry about fellow passengers who "tut, tut" while you are in the middle of a crisis. ... "let the kids be themselves, don't care what other people think. Join in with them when they start squealing, and play games with them. You are on holiday too!"

Best product for travel sickness...

Sea-Band is the travel sickness remedy choice of one-third of survey respondents.

The bands are available in fun, fluorescent or new khaki and green, camouflage, coloured bands for the kids, or larger, grey or black bands for adults. These acupressure wristbands are drug-free, do not cause drowsiness or interfere with other medications, and are suitable for everyone, young (from aged 3 years) and old.

Nausea is reduced within five minutes after applying Sea-Band wristbands and they may be used before or after the onset of nausea. The recommend price is £7.99.

Sea-Band is available from Lloydspharmacy, Superdrug, Tesco, Sainsbury, Waitrose, Morrisons, and other pharmacies.