Instead of leaving their offspring in the kids’ club so they can lie by the pool and sip cocktails whilst reading the latest blockbuster, parents prefer to spend quality time with their children doing the activities chosen by them.

Survey reveals that children rule the roost on holiday deciding what trips and activities to do (65%), what meals to eat (50%) and whether to go to the beach or stay by the pool (60%). Parents are quite happy to hand over the reins to their children, because their kids need a break just as much as they do. Over three quarters of parents (76%) believe holidays are an important time for children.

And, putting kids first on holiday doesn’t have to mean keeping up with the Jones’s either - only 15 per cent of those questioned* feel pressured to take their children on expensive, action packed or exotic holidays.

Just under half of parents are prepared to sacrifice lying by the pool with a good book to do things their kids want on holiday, whilst nearly 40% are happy to give up adult only meals and some grown up conversation. A further 8% willingly give up visiting attractions, whilst a tiny 6% say they refuse to sacrifice anything.


As one parent explained: “Holidays are extremely important family time, I would not expect any part of it to be child-free, my children would be involved in everything.”

Over 40% of parents also admitted that they themselves were not allowed any input in the planning of the family holiday.

Study, carried out in March 2014 with over 1,100 parents, with an equal mix of employed and stay at home parents, found that just over a quarter of people believe children should be allowed to make these important holiday decisions from as young as five.

“Our children need a break from school pressures as much as we do from work – in our hectic lives they need down time too,” said another parent.

“At the end if the day if my children are happy then I am happy. As a family we compromise and take into account everyone's needs and requirements,” explained another respondent.