Ah, summer holidays. That magical time of year when school is out, the weather teeters between glorious and totally miserable, and parents all over the UK nod sagely to one another, knowing that, yes, this is the season of relentless chaos masquerading as family fun.
And this year, mine kicked off in spectacular fashion: three weeks in Australia with 24-hour stopovers in Singapore at each end. Long-haul flights, knackered kids, and frankly, knackered parents. And yes, my husband and I survived. Barely.
Week 1: The Flights from Hell and Singapore Adventure
Let’s start with the outbound flight to Singapore. Twelve hours in economy with limited leg room – even for me, and the passenger in front who wants to recline their seat ALL the way back, meaning I am going cross-eyed trying to watch telly. Yes, I gave up! Add in overexcited but tired kids, a backpack full of snacks, toys, electronics, chargers, and a bag full of just-in-case items that mostly stayed unused, and yes, I was already questioning every life choice that led to me boarding this plane.
Our 24-hour stopover in Singapore was an unexpected delight. We explored Gardens by the Bay, which was spectacular, and the covered Botanical Gardens were perfect in the heat. The Jurassic World exhibition was a huge hit with the kids, and they ran around like little explorers, genuinely excited about the displays. Even with jet lag and long flights behind us, this city was a brilliant start to the holiday. It could have been exhausting, but the kids coped brilliantly.
And then Australia. Land of endless beaches, sunshine, and, in theory, complete disintegration of routine. In practice, the kids were amazing. They handled the flights, the time changes, and the constant moving from one place to another like seasoned travellers. There were, of course, the odd tired tantrums and moments of grumpiness, as you might expect, but mostly they were flexible, cheerful, and genuinely fun to be with. It could have been chaos, but it wasn’t. It was far better than I had dared hope.
We spent long days exploring beaches, wildlife parks, and the whole shebang. The teenage eye-rolls and tween dramatics were occasionally present, but they were small, funny, and fleeting compared to the joy of seeing them experience new things. And there were beautiful, quiet moments too, like holding hands with my kids on a beach at sunset, when I remembered exactly why I put myself through the twelve-hour flights. These memories are priceless.
Week 2: The Push-Pull of Tweens and Teenagers
If you have a tween or a teenager, you will understand the delicate balance of the push-pull. One minute, they want you to spend every waking second with them touring the zoo, chasing waterfalls, or sampling local gelato. The next minute, they are rolling their eyes so hard I think they might give themselves whiplash and telling me, in the sweetest tween or teen phrasing possible, that I am so embarrassing and literally the worst mum ever.
Despite the occasional eye-roll or dramatic sigh, they were genuinely brilliant. We explored beaches, wildlife parks, and local attractions, and even the teen moments of sulking became funny stories to laugh about later. The kids embraced the holiday, joined in the adventures, and I got to see sides of them I rarely get to at home.
Week 3: Heading Home and Singapore Inbound Stopover
The flight back via Singapore was equally challenging, but once again, the kids were amazing. We were all exhausted, and by the time we landed for our 24-hour stopover, I was ready to collapse. But the stopover was brilliant. We stayed at the Airport hotel and spent about sixteen hours exploring the airport and the surrounding attractions. We did everything we could fit in, from the skywalk to little exhibitions and shops, and generally treated it like a mini-adventure. It was surprisingly fun, and the kids handled the long day like pros.
After that, it was the final leg home. We arrived tired, sunburned, and slightly dazed, but happy. And ready for the rest of August at home.
August at Home: Lazy Chaos and Day Trips
Back in the UK, summer took on its usual form: a mix of sunshine, drizzle, and do we really need to leave the house vibes. The kids were home, which meant no routine, endless snacking, and somehow managing to create mess in every room simultaneously. I had grand plans for quiet mornings with coffee and a book. That lasted about five minutes.
We did manage some day trips, including a visit to the local farm park, an afternoon at the seaside, and a walk in the country, where the kids spent more time arguing about whose turn it was to carry the bag than actually enjoying nature. There were laughs, there were tears, mine included over a particularly muddy pair of trainers, and there were moments I will treasure forever. Despite the chaos, the noise, and the bickering, this is the life we have chosen.
And yes, there were perks. Afternoon ice creams, discovering a new favourite café, and watching my kids run around like hooligans on a playground where I did not have to chase them every two minutes. Small wins.
School Shoe and Uniform Shopping or How to Test the Limits of Your Patience
Fast forward to mid-August, and the moment every parent dreads: back-to-school shopping. School shoes, uniform bits, sports kits, and those impossible-to-find trousers that somehow shrink three sizes every summer. The kids were opinionated, to say the least. Why does this school shirt feel like sandpaper? Why do you make me wear shoes that hurt my feet? Do you even know what style is, mum? Despite the whining, the foot-stomping, and the minor arguments over can I just wear trainers with the uniform, we survived. More importantly, we left with all the required items and not a single child missing a sock or a pair of trousers (well, mostly).
But I also needed a bit of me-time. So on another day, I headed off to Bicester Village on my own – no kids, no uniform lists, just me. Designer shops, bargains, and a quiet moment with a latte. And yes, I may have accidentally purchased a Burberry bag. It was right there. It looked lonely. I rescued it.
Back to the Home Chaos
The rest of August was a mix of calm and calamity. Lazy mornings that quickly descended into arguments about who had touched whose device, mysterious disappearances of headphones, and the constant hunt for snacks. The kids would spend hours on their devices, then suddenly demand to go out and do something. The push-pull continued.
I tried to be the fun parent with trips to the cinema, a picnic in the park, and a day at the local pool. Yes, there were arguments about sunscreen application, snorkel gear, and who got the last packet of crisps. But there were also giggles, playful splashing, and the brilliant sound of my tween trying and failing to belly-flop perfectly into the pool.
The Heartfelt Chaos
Here is the thing about parenting tweens and teenagers. It is messy, loud, expensive, exhausting, and utterly wonderful. They challenge you, push your buttons, and occasionally make you question your entire life’s choices. But they also surprise you with their compassion, humour, and moments of unexpected insight. My teenager gave me a massive hug one evening and whispered, thanks, mum, for putting up with me. My tween laughed until she cried at a joke only she found funny. Moments like these are worth every eye-roll, every flight, every whinge.
Because the truth is, while the summer holidays are exhausting, they are also fleeting. Soon it will be back to school, back to routines, and the kids will be out of the house before I know it. These chaotic, sunburned, snack-fuelled weeks are memories I will carry with me.
Reflections from a Slightly Frazzled Mum
So, dear reader, if you are currently staring at your tween or teenager, wondering how they can be so infuriating and so delightful all at once, know this, you are not alone. The summer is a rollercoaster. You will lose your patience. You will question your sanity. You will contemplate a week-long silent retreat in the Highlands, preferably sans children. But you will also laugh, hug, and create memories that are worth every frazzled moment.
I would not have it any other way.
Even if it means I am Googling how to remove slime from the carpet at 9:30pm, sipping a glass of wine, and simultaneously trying to hide the Burberry bag before my daughter notices.
Summer with tweens and teens is messy, ridiculous, exhausting, funny, heartwarming, and absolutely, unconditionally worth it.
I’d love to hear how you survived (or avoided!) the back-to-school rush. Come and join the conversation over on Facebook – Mylifeandstyleover40
Take care, stay safe.
Becks Xo
My life and style over 40 