Specialising in postnatal clients, I see a lot of women who are simply tired. Tired of the hectic weeks and weekends, exhausted from being a mum, wife, friend and who generally feel like they ‘just need a break’. Often this just isn’t possible with a young family, it’s hard to just up and off when you have people relying on you. That’s why I say stay. Stay and take a mini-break in your own home.

Give yourself something to look forward to this weekend by organising a family staycation. It doesn’t have to take an entire weekend either. Simply take a break from your usual Saturday routine and do something different for an inexpensive family fun day or combine a few adventures and make a weekend of it, whatever suits your lifestyle.

Give yourself a rest from your usual chores (or get them done early) so you have an entire day to take a little ‘holiday in your own home’. Here are some of my favourite activities for making your weekend feel like a mini-break from the norm. Even if your little ones are super little and can’t get involved, a lot of these activities are accessible and fun. That means no excuses to not take the stroller along and have a little adult fun with some of these ‘kids’ activities. It’s all about doing something different and giving your normal routine a shake up – a change is as good as a rest.

If the weather is good:

• Join a guided walking or bus tour of your area. You may live there but do you really know anything about the area and it’s history? This is perfect to educate the kids, and you!
• Get outside and fly a kite. If you don’t have a kite, make your own as part of the fun! Take along a picnic packed with yummy, healthy food and let the flying begin. Try some of these inclusions in your picnic basket to keep it clean: vegetable crudités, clever chips ‘n’ dips, perfectly packed pizza, salads, finish with some fresh berries and voila – finger food heaven.
• Create your own water park. Turn on the sprinklers, grab some old school water guns and water balloons from the dollar shop and get wet!
• Grab your camera to spend the day playing model and photographer, capturing some amazing family shots. This can work indoors or out and as well as being super fun it leaves you with some great pics and memories.
• Set up a tent in the garden – no further effort required. It is such a novelty it will keep everyone entertained all day long.

If the weather is not so good:

• For something different to the usual bowling / movie fall back, arrange a behind-the-scenes tour with the pinsetters at the bowling alley or the projectionists at a movie theatre. It’s a refreshing change.
• Visit your local museum or art gallery.
• Go to karaoke. Your first reaction may be ‘isn’t that what used to happen at 3am, in a past life’? Maybe. But karaoke can actually be a really fun rainy day activity for the family; it breeds creativity and confidence – completely different to 3am karaoke.
• Set up a tent or fort in the house – no further effort required. It is such a novelty it will keep everyone entertained all day long.

Top tip: It is also a great idea to visit your local visitors’ bureau; they are experts on your area and often offer fun activities you had never even considered.