After the festive season, a time of serious overindulgence over Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve, a parent’s thoughts can easily stray to that elusive goal of detox in the new year.
If only, you think, I could visit one of those strict clinics, where Germanic experts bark self-improving orders at me, and – as I’m on holiday – I would have the time and space to follow their prescriptions for a better me?
Would the circles under my eyes disappear? Might my frown lines turn happy? Wouldn’t it be grand – just for a few days, anyhow – not to be the one in charge?
Utter relaxation; time to apply green eyeshadow: two things not typically associated with motherhood Photo: Fotolia/AP
Alas, such fantasies are quickly quashed with this sobering reminder: I’ll need someone to look after the kids. Not notorious for their patience or zen, children don’t seem a natural fit with a detoxifying, rejuvenating spa holiday.
And yet, more and more spas and hotels are realising that, while parents want to relax, they may not want – or be able to – outsource the children for the weekend or week it would take to really unwind. Thankfully, this has inspired a slew of top-notch spas to offer quality childcare.
You can now have your facial and eat with the kids, too.
Here are a few ideas for your detox-with-child holidays in 2016:
Princesa Yaiza, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
The five-star Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort is offering a three-day detox package, which combines yoga, daily spa treatments and thalassotherapy in a program designed for those who are feeling run.
It promises to heal body and mind, while also tackling fluid retention and cellulite. What fun!
Blue skies in Lanzarote: Princesa Yaiza is a great place to unwind as a family
And while you’re getting rid of these unmentionables, there are babysitters and a kids’ club for your kids – who will also be made welcome via Princesa Yaiza’s ample family facilities, including an entire area of the resort dedicated to families, with family suites, babysitting, a family restaurant, a kids’ pool, a theatre, a climbing wall, tennis courts, paddle courts and a football pitch.
Bagni Di Pisa, Tuscany
If you have older kids, and are after group bonding in the sauna, the stunning Bagni di Pisa offers an attractive three-night detox program.
The family-friendly 18th century summer palace will offer at three-night program, which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner with a personalised healthy menu.
Medical consultations and evaluation of biological age will help staff tailor the programme to suit each individual.
These measures are complemented by fitness activities, five spa treatments, including acupuncture and underwater massage, a thermal steam bath and a cooking class with the chef and nutritionist are all included.
Guests also have access to pools, saunas and Turkish baths. While no babysitting is available, Bagni di Pisa offers spa treatments for teens; mother and daughter treatments; and sweet spa dressing gowns for kids.
Carlisle Bay, Antigua
Escape to the tropical waters of Carlisle Bay on a holiday that promises a welcome escape for parents at the award-winning Blue Spa.
Leave your troubles at the door at Carlisle Bay
Where many Caribbean spas can be dated or gaudy, Blue Spa is fabulously restrained and oozes a steely glamour. Welcoming children of all ages, this hotel offers kids’ clubs catering to children aged 6 months to 19 years!
While the little ones hunt for buried treasure, juniors will love raft building, and teens will try out a range of exhilarating water sports. Make the most of family time family time zip-lining through the rainforest or playing a game of tennis.
Time for something completely different. 9 Unusual Destinations For A Family Holiday
Here are our favourites. Top 5 International Spa Hotels
HolyMama, Ibiza
Does yoga make you a better mother? Probably. And at HolyMama yoga retreat, in Ibiza, children can have one-on-one childcare for the mornings when mothers do yoga, have treatments and laze about their brunch, so there’s no minimum age limit, unlike kids’ clubs in larger hotels.
There are even sessions for kids, so you’ll all return more supple, and more relaxed.
HolyMama retreats welcome children of various ages at different times - so your child's cohort will be of a similar age to him or her, making your life easier Photo: HolyMama
The perfect week-long break for a mother (some retreats welcome dads, too) looking to unwind in the company of her child, HolyMama will run Ibiza retreats from the second week in May for a month, and also for a month from late September.
Manoir La Croix De La Jugie, Limousin
For the youngest of children, Manoir La Croix de la Jugie, in Limousin, is a small, family-run farmhouse that offers week-long retreats with an in-house post-natal specialist personal trainer.
Designed for the whole family, or single parents, the retreat offers mothers time to themselves, to focus on fitness – cardio, toning, stretching and pilates are all elements of the workouts – while fathers are given time to bond with their babies with plenty of childcare support.
Just add babysitter
Families can also enjoy the heated, gated pool, six acres of grounds, and plenty of games, making the retreat suitable for families with newborns and toddlers.
Home-cooked meals are shared around the big outdoor table with other, like-minded guests and within baby-monitor range of all rooms: mums can put their little ones to bed and enjoy dinner with their partner. Extra babysitting can be arranged on request.
The next post-natal retreat at La Jugie will take place over the Easter weekend from 25-28 March, or you could book ahead for 25 June-2 July.
Visit your local Flight Centre store or call 131 600 for more advice and the latest deals.
This article was written by Sally Peck from The Daily Telegraph and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.
