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Graziadaily
3 hours ago
- Graziadaily
Why I Feel No Guilt When My Children Go To Kids' Clubs
A close friend is baffled by parents who send their children to kids' clubs on holidays. 'What's the point in having children if you don't even want to spend time with them?' she asks me. Now, I agree that the best thing about holidays is spending time with my children: I love that we can enjoy each other's company without the rush to get ready for school punctuating our days. I feel my heart lift when I see them invent games together; am frequently taken aback by how perceptive and emotionally intelligent they are - and they all make me laugh hugely. But I feel utterly unashamed when it comes to encouraging Astrid, eight, Xavi, six and Juno, aged two, to try out kids' clubs. In fact, it was only when I heard criticisms of kid-club-parenting that I realised how divisive a subject it is. On Mumsnet, one camp of parents believe 'we go on holiday to spend our time together as a family' while another say their children 'meet friends and you get a couple of hours to yourself'. Each side judges the other. On a recent trip to Portugal, we stayed at Club Med's cliffside resort Da Balaia in Albufeira. The green lawns of the resort are set above winding steps that lead to pale sands and the Atlantic Ocean, framed by fiery orange cliffs. My children don't enjoy indoor kids' clubs - they tried one for an hour once and never went back. But throw in activities and they ask to go. Here, Astrid and Xavi tried archery and learnt circus skills, including the high flying trapeze. We'd drop them off after a buffet breakfast each day and two hours later their confidence had grown as they told us about their new skills over lunch. Xavi's often too nervous to play football in the school playground as he's not quite sure of the rules, but he joined in at the kids' club and enjoyed it so much that he's now starting regular sessions after school. Many of the children at the resort were French, and after a few games of cache-cache (hide-and-seek), Astrid and Xavi picked up ca vas , saluts and mercis . Juno went to a smaller kids' club for younger children, which had its own spacious playground with slides, rockers and ride-on cars. I'm always struck when I meet people with the rare, calm and secure energy that children instinctively trust. Here, it's part of the job description: the childcare team can't spend a week or two settling new children in, as they would at a nursery, when their stay is temporary. I was amazed at how happily Juno got involved with treasure hunts, playing in the paddling pool and around the playground, making art work and 'reading' lots of stories. It's strikingly unusual for me to have two hours free with absolutely no demands. I'd injured my knee but watched yoga sessions from afar in case I could pick up the benefits vicariously. I felt a rare sense of calm when swimming in the wonderful, wild adults-only pool, fringed with rushes, among tadpoles, frogs and dragonflies. My biggest indulgence was lying on a lounger, sipping freshly-made juice and spending an unreasonable amount of time deliberating on the most luxurious of decisions: whether to read another chapter of my book or swim a few more lengths. Did I feel guilty? Absolutely not. We'd have all our meals together as a family. One of the benefits of a French-feeling resort is that the food is excellent: different areas around the restaurant would have seared tuna, seafood paella, roast suckling pig, noodles or ceviche. Each would be manned by servers. In what might be peculiarly British behaviour, I felt concerned they might take it personally if I didn't choose 'their' dish so I'd tell them all I'd return later. The buffet set up was brilliant for the children: they ate olives with every meal, discovered they love squid and would have happily spent the whole night dipping strawberries in a chocolate fountain. We spent our afternoons in the family swimming pool, on the beach or down by the beach volleyball court - occasionally running back to our interconnecting, functional rooms (with pleasingly comfortable beds) to change out of wet swimwear. On our first afternoon, there was a picnic for all the children and their families, with a bouncy castle, giant games of Connect Four and lots of doughnuts. Entertainers dressed as superheroes and I'm sure it helped Juno feel more comfortable when playing with them at the kids' club. For me, the best moment of the holiday was when Astrid showed me all she'd learnt on the trapeze at the kids' club. She was clipped up to a safety rope and climbed a ladder, past the safety net, up 10 metres to the platform where she grabbed onto the bar. She swung through the air, wiggled her legs to gain momentum and on a count of un-deux-trois dropped onto the safety net. As someone who occasionally gets vertigo and is slightly scared of heights, I admired her hugely. Until she challenged me to have a turn. If it weren't for my eight-year-old daughter, there is no chance I'd have climbed that ladder. My hands were sweating so much by the time I reached the top the trapeze team had to cover them in chalk so I didn't slip. I don't know whether it was nerves, or simple daftness, but I didn't realise that my conversation up high could be heard by children on the ground. 'I'm scared of heights, but I can't let my children know,' I told the trapeze assistant, who kindly didn't point out that I'd just broadcast the information to them. 'There's nothing to be scared of, you can do it,' she encouraged me. I did it. I leant forward, grabbed the trapeze with my tightest grip and swung. I've never been on a high trapeze, and the last time I was on one in a gym I was in my teens and would happily hang by my knees. I was very aware of the different body I now inhabit, and grateful that it didn't let me down as I flew back and forth. Then the instructor on the ground told me to let go in un-deux-trois . There was no way I could! I kept hold for two more counts before eventually releasing my grip. I was shaking with nerves and pride as I got down from the safety net. I might be too old for a kids' club, but I'm not too old to get a confidence boost from learning from my children. Without Flights Seven nights all-inclusive stay at Club Med Da Balaia, Portugal from £1,129 (was £1,188) per adult (based on double occupancy). Price based on departure date 31.08.25. Book now at [ target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener'} or call 03453 676767 London Departure Seven nights all-inclusive stay at Club Med Da Balaia, Portugal from £1,467 (was £1,526) per adult (based on double occupancy) with return flights from London (LGW) with transfers included. Price based on departure date 31.08.25. Book now at or call 03453 676767
Time Out
4 hours ago
- Time Out
This iconic Paris museum has just reopened after a mammoth restoration project
Paris's art scene is pretty incomparable – it's the main reason we picked the French capital as Time Out's best city in the world for culture this year. And, excitingly, it just got bigger and better, as a blockbuster gallery space has just reopened. The Grand Palais has been under restoration for the last four years, but now the mega €466 million project led by Chatillon Architectes is finally finished, and its doors have officially reopened. Originally designed for the Universal Exhibition in 1900 by French architects Henri Deglane, Albert Louvet and Albert Thomas, the Grand Palais represented a blend of Beaux-Arts style and the use of glass and steel (considered modern materials at the time). In the '60s architect Pierre Vivien led the revamp of the building's northern wing, which was damaged during the Second World War, but the Chatillon upgrade is the most comprehensive in the building's history. So, what's new? Well, the central nave and its surrounding galleries have been granted a new lease of life. They've been reconfigured to accommodate the technical requirements of contemporary exhibitions – until 2030, the Grand Palais will house works from the Centre Pompidou, which closed this year for its own overhaul. Recommended: The best art galleries in Paris, picked by a local. The central axis of the Grand Palais from Square Jean Perrin to the Seine has been redone to create a huge public gathering space, and more than 40 lifts and 30 staircases have improved the building's accessibility. Alongside its symbolic role as a pioneering example of institutional adaptability, the Grand Palais will offer a broader programme of cultural events beyond traditional exhibitions, including art fairs, public installations and fashion shows. 'The Grand Palais is no longer an isolated monument; it forms part of a broader cultural context.' said François Chatillon, the lead architect on the project, according to The Art Newspaper. There's a new pedestrian entrance, and brasseries by chefs Thierry Marx and Loulou. But it's not just the building's interior that's been given some TLC. 60,000 new plants have been incorporated into the re-landscaped gardens, which also now boast rainwater harvesting to support its irrigation.
Edinburgh Live
5 hours ago
- Edinburgh Live
Mark Labbett issued warning about The Chase bosses to Anne Hegerty over big decision
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The Chase star Mark Labbett issued a warning to co-star Anne Hegerty as she faced a major decision on the ITV show. Mark, 59, was one of the two original Chasers on the show alongside Shaun Wallace. They were joined in the second series by 66-year-old Anne. During the initial 10-show run, Mark became known as The Beast, a moniker Anne says he offered to producers as the French version of his surname. With the imposing character starting to take off, Anne says producers decided she and Shaun should also be given a nickname. Shaun, 65, became known as The Dark Destroyer, while Anne was given the title The Governess. Although the quiz master revealed she could have adopted a very different persona on the show. She says producers originally intended to call her 'The Headmistress', which prompted a word of warning from Mark and an impromptu change from show host Bradley. Speaking on the Towards Understanding podcast, Anne said: 'They wanted me to be The Headmistress, and I was like, 'Erm, okay, sounds great.' And I remember Mark saying to me, 'You should choose your own nickname, otherwise they will impose one on you that you don't like'. (Image: ITV) 'So I thought, 'Fine, fine, I'm going to be The Headmistress,' and then during rehearsals, it was a year since the boys had done the show and I hadn't done it at all, and during rehearsals, Bradley, I noticed, started calling me The Governess, and I said to producers, 'Could I be called that instead?' 'I think what appealed to me about it is that a governess is much more of a free agent. A governess is like Mary Poppins, she can do whatever she likes, while a headmistress is bound by the board of governors, she is essentially a salaried employee, whereas a governess can take off when the wind changes. So I thought I'd rather be a governess I think.' Anne went on to explain that she decided to base the character of The Governess on one of her grandmothers, an aunt, and the headmaster's wife at her secondary school. She said: 'I think originally I wanted her to be a bit nastier and creepier. (Image: Getty) 'I wanted her to be a bit more like Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter. Somebody a few years ago, an American actually, said my character was [Harry Potter character] Professor McGonagall-ish and I thought, 'Yeah, she has moods of being from Umbridge to McGonagall', and I'd rather be McGonagall really, I mean she's a goodie for one thing.' Professor McGonagall was one of the teachers in Harry Potter who worked alongside the young wizard and Albus Dumbledore to defeat evil wizard Lord Voldemort. Meanwhile Dolores Umbridge was known for her harsh treatment of the children in JK Rowling's series. Anne has previously revealed there was also a more x-rated reason why she chose the moniker The Governess. When asked about the name by former Countdown host Nick Hewer, she replied: 'Well, originally I was going to be called The Headmistress and then during rehearsals, Bradley started calling me The Governess. 'I said to the producers, 'Can I be called that instead?' I think I said, 'It's more kinky'.'
