traditional family setting with a
working father and stay at home
mother – would the father spend
the whole day doing nothing while
on holiday since he does not have
to work, while the mother carries on
with her daily routine of taking care
of the children, cooking, cleaning –
these roles should be shared during
a holiday environment, as the
routine is somewhat changed. The
sleeping pattern of the children is
also another thing to bear in mind
when planning a holiday, since there
are no school days. The planning of
this has to be thought of beforehand,
also with regards to travelling time.
How often is it recommended to go
on family holidays?
E.G.: This obviously depends on the
financial situation of the family, a
family who manages to take regular
family holidays is truly blessed, as
these offer new experiences and
broaden the horizons of all the
members of the family, especially
the children. Unfortunately not all
families can afford a family holiday,
however even a local trip can benefit
the family as a whole. It has to be
made sure that in order to take a
holiday the other family’s needs
are not put under strain. However,
money spent on holidays is invested
in memories, and never goes to
waste. Holidays can be educational
and are mind-opening to the
children.
Do psychological benefits increase
when travelling with extended
family
members
(grandparents,
aunts, uncles), or should family trips
be kept to the immediate family
members (parents, children)?
E.G.: It depends on the type of
relationship there is between these
family members, so it varies from
family to family. In our culture in
Malta, it is quite common to be
connected to our extended family, so
being on holiday with them can work
out as long as the family members
get along well. One must see that
all the family members share and
uphold the same core values, as
sharing a home with someone who
holds different values from you
could be difficult. However, as long
as differences can be respected and
boundaries are set, a family holiday
with the extended family is a very
beneficial experience.
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