Travel company TUI has published research showing that a family holiday can be an ideal moment to help children develop independence and confidence. The survey found that 58% of parents feel more comfortable giving their children greater freedom while travelling than they do at home, and 77% admit that they relax the usual rules when on holiday.
According to TUI, 63% of children feel more independent when they are away. Against this backdrop, the company’s retail expert Alex Wegstaff advises parents to use everyday “holiday” situations as small steps towards greater confidence for their child.
Her tips include letting children order their own food or ice cream in a café, or choose dishes from the buffet. Such small decisions help them feel trusted by adults. Another step is to give a child their own budget for souvenirs or treats, so they can learn to plan their spending and handle money responsibly.
The expert also recommends encouraging children to make friends with peers in kids’ clubs, during hotel activities or by the pool – this naturally builds social confidence. It is also helpful to suggest trying something new: a dish, a sport, a swimming skill or a new water slide, so that these “first times” are associated with positive emotions.
The importance of small responsibilities is highlighted separately: a child can be asked to carry the boarding pass, pack a day rucksack or help choose a family activity. Tasks like these give them a sense of their own capability.
The TUI study also revealed a “perception gap” around independence: children feel they are ready to walk around the resort on their own from the age of seven, while parents see ten as the approximate age for this. Similarly, children feel ready to stay out late with friends roughly three years earlier than adults consider acceptable.
According to the survey, 41% of children said that it is their parents’ trust that helps them feel more independent. Almost three in ten parents also noticed that on holiday their children are more willing to try new foods and activities and find it easier to make friends.
This summer, TUI has introduced a special “My Holiday Firsts Passport”, available in selected company retail stores. It includes stickers and space for drawings and notes, so children can record their “first achievements” – from trying a new dish to making a new friend on holiday.