Any other overwhelmed mums there secretly dreading school holidays and going away with your kids?
The holidays only started two days ago, and I already find myself wondering: how am I going to cope taking three kids away tomorrow?
It’s not even a long trip – just a few days – but the thought of three little (and not-so-little) humans constantly underfoot, endlessly demanding whatever they want, with no thought for anyone else… well, it’s enough to make my stomach knot.
Of course, family holidays are supposed to be this perfect opportunity to reconnect and spend quality time that normal life rarely allows. You plan, you look forward, you even dare to hope it’ll feel magical.
But deep down? The tension grows as the departure date looms, stress levels rise, and the pressure to “get everything right” bubbles up inside.
The pressure we put on ourselves
Today is one of those days: packing, food prep, tying up loose ends, all on a ticking clock. And I catch myself expecting it all to happen in this serene, Instagram-worthy atmosphere.
In my mind’s ideal version, the kids are entertained (without screens, of course), cheerful, helpful…
How naive of me.
And more importantly: how unkind to myself to expect perfection.
Why #PeaceOverPressure?
Earlier this week, I decided to launch something very close to my heart: a movement, a reminder, #PeaceOverPressure.
It’s more than just a hashtag. It’s a choice I’ve had to make again and again while raising my son solo for the past nine years.
It’s what carried me through the healing process, through full-time work, through parenting alone while clinging to impossible standards of “perfect” parenting: wholesome meals, quality connection time, minimal screens… all while balancing work and a home.
But today, I chose peace.
Not because I stopped caring but because I finally realised: trying to hold it all together perfectly isn’t the point.
Permission to let go
So today, with a headache and a growing to-do list, I let the kids play on their screens while I cracked on with packing and prep.
It’s not what I advocate for every day, but sometimes we need to break our own rules to protect our sanity.
And that’s okay.
Because choosing peace over pressure isn’t about giving up, it’s about showing up as the best version of yourself that day, however imperfect that looks.
If you’re reading this, frazzled and already exhausted before the holidays even begin: take a deep breath.
You don’t need to be perfect.
You don’t need to do it all.
Choose peace, not pressure.
You – and your kids – deserve that.
Have a lovely holiday, however it looks for you. 💛
