The 'perfect' family day out

We really enjoy days out as a family and normally go to National Trusts or outdoorsy places. Recently we went to the Peaks and decided to climb Mam Tor. Tim is good at pushing us and is always up for an adventure which I love. I thought it was quite ambitious with the four of them but we started pretty near the top and everyone was very enthusiastic about it. It started well with Harry, Lucy and Sophie running ahead. Little Sophie stormed up the hill flying past lots of other walkers! It only took about 20 minutes in the end and we enjoyed stunning views from the top. We walked down the hill and enjoyed a café stop at the visitors centre, found a fun little playground and then a lovely dinner out. We posted about our fun family day out on Facebook.

Only that wasn’t the whole story. At the top of Mam Tor Sophie had a wee accident so we had quite a traumatic change as it was quite chilly at the top – not really the place to expose a bare bottom! We quickly started to descend but the wind picked up and it started to rain and then hail. Lucy and Sophie were distraught and I couldn’t blame them as little icicles were hitting our faces and our hands were slowly freezing. Sophie wasn’t even wearing a raincoat! I tucked Lucy in behind me and tried to shield Connie with the baby carrier. Tim was carrying Sophie. Lucy was beside herself saying she was never coming here again and wanted to go home now.

We didn’t share that bit on Facebook and it wasn’t to portray that we always smile and nothing ever goes wrong its just the pictures of everyone smiling are much nicer to share and those are the bits we want to remember. It did make me think though that sometimes we might think everyone has wonderful family days with no mishaps and happy children all day. I confess we rarely if ever have a day out without some sort of mishap or whining or fighting but I don’t want to report those times. We expect them and deal with them as best we can and focus on the positives.

The rain did eventually stop and a beautiful rainbow appeared. This cheered everyone up and we got back to the car to warm up. After a change of clothes and a café stop with hot chocolate everyone was feeling happier. I thought the rainbow would be a good opportunity to talk about God’s promises but to be honest the kids were more interested in talking about treasure or sleeping unicorns at the end of the rainbow! Harry did share that he had prayed in his head that the storm would stop – I find it really encouraging to know He is starting to have his own conversations with God and God answers them.

So all in all it was a brilliant day out just not perfect but I don’t think perfect days out exist!