A Holiday at Home

Living on a caravan park, it’s inevitable that our kids are going to want to stay in one of our caravans at some point. They see everyone come and spend their holidays here – but it’s their home – not their holiday.


It’s the final Saturday of the school half-term holidays and everyone was going home – we had one of our brand new caravans available so we promised they could sleep in one.

Excitement was an understatement – they were up early Saturday morning packing their bags ready for their “holiday”. Naturally packing by a four year old isn’t a good thing – but we went with it – if she hadn’t packed something she needed it wasn’t going to be a problem – we were at home afterall!! So, Troy the Teddy Bear and a Curly Wurly were all she really needed!?! The bags stayed at the front door while we got on with the Saturday routine – changeover day, ballet lessons etc.

After tea they turned into “guests” – they trundled off to reception with their suitcases and sleeping bag – I wandered after them with the things they really needed (and a bottle of wine for myself). Daddy continued his job in reception, giving the girls their key and the map of how to get to the caravan. Sophie (aged 7) was in charge of the key and Amelia (aged 4) was in charge of the map and getting them to the right caravan – didn’t take too long and soon they were choosing their beds, unpacking their bags and relaxing in the front of the TV.

They were having the time of their lives and I was making notes about how we could improve our services for the guests – now I was one. Fans are at the top of the list – I was always worried about being too cold in the caravans and last night we were all sweating buckets so now I’m finding ways of keeping the guests cool.

The midnight feast was eaten by 9pm, we texted Daddy to bring us more supplies – the things we’d forgotten (not a service available to all guests – sorry) and he joined us on our holiday. Getting the kids to sleep was a nightmare – too hot and too excited. They played Musical Beds for about an hour and were threatened with going home once or twice but they fell asleep........eventually.

A few more rounds of musical beds went on during the night so when I woke up at 7.30am (had to turn back into Park Manager at 9am) there was no one in the bedroom with me. Have a look where I found them..............Note to caravan manufacturers - who needs bedrooms!

We didn't take breakfast with us - we had that back at home - its only 30 seconds away so it didn't take long to get back. Not sure that any of the guests saw us while we were on our holidays - goodness knows what they would have thought. The kids had a great time - after a really busy half term holiday for Mummy and Daddy it was really nice for us all to spend some precious family time together. And secretly, I had a lovely night - despite a lack of sleep - and I've got some really positive ideas that I plan to make reality over the coming weeks. Then we'll do it all again......