How families can avoid the stress of holidays (!)

When is a holiday not a holiday? That’s the question.

And the answer may be that all the planning and logistics that go into a do-it-yourself family holiday may be self-defeating.

New research has revealed that 49 per cent of Australian parents who responded to a survey admitted they hadn’t come back from a family holiday feeling more rested than when they left!

The independent research commissioned by all-inclusive holiday maker Club Med shows that the time and energy that goes into a family holiday has led them to abandon their plans altogether in the past two years

Do-it-yourselfers start planning months before leaving, choosing the destination, comparing flights and picking accommodation.

Researching activities to suit all interests and finding somewhere to eat all have to fit into the spending budget.

Club Med has “skin in the game”, of course, making the point that it offers premium all-inclusive holidays. All the planning is done, and meals and activities are included.

It pioneered all-inclusive holidays over 75 years ago. From accommodation to meals and all-day snacking, holidays can include land and water sports, Kids’ Clubs and entertainment. The details are taken care of, so they can enjoy family time together.

But Club Med is going one step further.

A spokesperson says: “Club Med is staying true to its mission and helping families do less and get more with a nationwide call-out for parents to share the clever, practical and sometimes unconventional tips they use to make family travel easier.

“Club Med wants to hear the shortcuts and small wins that help parents spend less time doing and more time enjoying. The best travel tips will be brought together in a ‘Do Less, Get More’ handbook, creating a practical collection of ideas from parents, for parents.

“The parent with the top tip will win an all-inclusive family holiday for two adults and two kids to the brand-new Club Med Borneo, opening in just over a month’s time.”

Submit tips at clubmed.com.au/l/do-less-get-more.

The winner will be announced on November 10, 2026. The prize is five nights for a family of four (two adults, two kids) at Club Med Borneo.

The top 50 submitted tips are set to be brought together in the Do Less, Get More Handbook.