Parents are having to resort to travelling without their partners when holidaying with their kids, due to pressures at work and childcare issues, a study has found.
Almost three quarters (73%) of the 2,000 parents surveyed by Nationwide Savings have to take different days off work than their partner in order to look after children during school holidays, leaving less time for the family to enjoy a break together.
Three in ten said they have had to go away on holiday minus their partner, with around one in ten (9%) regularly doing so, due to work pressures.
"Holidays are an essential part of family life, offering a break from the hustle and bustle, and quality time spent together," Andrew Baddeley-Chappell, Nationwide’s head of savings policy, said.
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"But the timing is often crucial with costs continuing to spike during peak seasons," Baddeley-Chappell continued.
"This cost differential is one of the reasons why we continue to encourage customers to start budgeting and saving as early as possible, so that they can take into account the cost of going away."
The research also showed younger parents are most likely to be affected by having to travel solo with their children, with 39% of 25- to 34-year-olds stating they have had to go on holiday without their partner due to having to split leave to ensure there was someone availabale to look after the children.
This compares to 28% of those in the 35 to 44 age bracket and 25% of those aged 45 to 54.
More than four in five working parents (81%) reported experiencing difficulty in booking off the time they need for holidays.
Three in five have to book holidays at least three months in advance, while one in five (21%) said they usually book their holidays as soon as the work calendar starts so that childcare can be covered at difficult times such as Christmas and summer holidays.
This tactic left 45% of respondents feeling guilty about the effect on their work colleagues without children.
Only one in ten (11%) of those surveyed reported they were not adversely impacted by the need to cover school holiday childcare because it was either covered by a non-working partner, other relatives or friends, or because they paid for additional care.
“We’re seeing a trend in families seeking out more authentic travel experiences that will inspire rather than distract their children,” says Tom. “There are plenty of unexpected destinations that are kid-friendly without being completely kid-focused that offer incredible experiences that will excite kids and grown-ups of all ages. Follow in the footsteps of Darwin himself and visit the Galapagos Islands—perfect for any budding zoologist. Heading to Australia? Try going walkabout with Aboriginal tribes in Australia. Or if you fancy a safari then why not meet the young Massai and learn of their ‘rites of passage’— even in our well-travelled world, there are still opportunities to find truly unique experiences, as long as you know where to look.” (credit:Alamy)
Find A Helping Hand(02 of10)
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“Sometimes just getting your family out of the door can feel like an impossible task, let alone planning an entire holiday. This is where travel specialists come in,” says Tom. “For example we make sure that every single visa, airport transfer, flight and hotel is booked and ready to go so that all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride.” (credit:Alamy)
Be Prepared – And Do Your Research(03 of10)
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“The new generation of family traveller is not boxed in by perceived limitations, but even the most intrepid traveller needs to do their research”, warns Tom. “Life is full of unexpected twists and turns and you don’t want to arrive in your destination to find yourself stuck in the monsoon season or in the middle of an unwanted national holiday.” (credit:Alamy)
Get Physical(04 of10)
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“Nothing brings a family closer than a thrilling physical challenge and in our internet age we’re seeing an increasing number of parents eager to get to get their children to ditch the computer games and explore the great outdoors. From jungle trekking in Borneo to hiking the cracks and boulders of Yosemite National Park, there are plenty of exhilarating trips to choose from these days.” (credit:Alamy)
Learn Something New(05 of10)
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“For a trip that your children will truly cherish forever, why not try giving them a new perspective or introduce them to a new sport?” suggests Tom. “Experiences that can ignite new passions and hobbies.” (credit:Alamy)
Go Wild(06 of10)
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“A safari is a classic option for that big family adventure but if you truly want to capture their imagination then give them a safari holiday with a twist. Swap your traditional 4x4 for a quad bike and skid across the plains of South Africa or grab a canoe and see the Big Five in action from the water in the magnificent Selinda Spillway in Botswana—there’s nothing better than ending the day hotly debating your favourite wildlife encounters of the day.” (credit:Alamy)
Find A Good Crèche(07 of10)
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“There’s no need to wait until children are walking and talking to take that trip of a lifetime—there are plenty of resorts and hotels that offer spectacular kids club facilities to keep the younger travellers entertained and give you a well-deserved rest.” (credit:Alamy)
On The Road(08 of10)
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“One of my favourite choices of holiday for 2013 is the quintessential road trip. For kids that are happy in a car, America’s West Coast offers the ideal combination of adventure and incredible scenery. From behind the bars of San Francisco’s Alcatraz to the majesty of Big Sur, the constant change in scenery is sure to keep the whole family entertained. You can even make the obligatory day trip to Disneyland and be back sipping cocktails in Santa Monica by sundown.” (credit:Alamy)
Something For The Weekend(09 of10)
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“You don’t have to travel half way across the world to create a family holiday that will stick in the memory bank—a quick trip or city break can offer just as many rare and memorable experiences for even the most discerning (and tiny) travellers”, suggests Tom. “ For something more exotic, a quick flight to Marrakech gives kids a chance to revel in the chaos of the souk, ride camels, and try their first tagines. “ (credit:Alamy)
Time To Yourself(10 of10)
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“As parents look to enrich and inspire their children’s lives with travel, they too often forget to include time to themselves in their busy schedule. A holiday should be just that and it’s important to give yourself some downtime while the kids are entertaining themselves. Indulge in a spa treatment or try an evening of wining and dining in a gourmet restaurant.” (credit:Alamy)