A day at the beach is the most relaxing thing you can do and that’s why you can buy CDs with the noise of ocean waves! However, if you’re going with kids it’s far from relaxing and you’ll definitely need to purchase one of those CDs because there’s no chance you’ll hear the waves breaking yourself!

Preparation
Before Kids: Sunglasses? Check. Sun lotion? Check. All sorted!
After Kids: Nappies, wipes, nappy bags, change mat, ‘baby’ sun lotion, ‘kids’ sun lotion, my sun lotion, change of clothes, sun hats, buckets and spades, books, football, soft tennis set, beach mats… Erm, do you think we need the roof rack?

First priority
Before Kids: Let’s grab a magazine each.
After Kids: Everyone use the toilet please!

Get settled
Before Kids: Here’s a nice spot to lay back and relax.
After Kids: What about if we stay in the car and each take it in turns to get out and build a sandcastle.

Sun lotion
Before Kids: This lotion leaves a lovely sheen on my skin.
After Kids: I feel like I’m being exfoliated with the amount of sand that’s stuck to me!

Craving
Before Kids: I’d love a Magnum!
After Kids: Need strong coffee! 

Paddling
Before Kids: Let’s take a lovely stroll at the edge of the water.
After Kids: If anyone wants to go for a paddle we need to take their shoes off and roll up their trousers. Oh, too late…

Lunch
Before Kids: The view from this restaurant is stunning!
After Kids: Is anyone else’s sandwich full of sand??

Sand
Before Kids: It’s lovely and cool if you bury your feet into the sand.
After Kids: Who buried the car keys!!!

The drive home
Before Kids: Do you mind driving I think I’m going to close my eyes for a while?
After Kids: Everyone close your eyes it’s NAP TIME!

Feedback
Before Kids: We should do that every weekend.
After Kids: We’re never doing that again!

Written by Jennie-  Irish mummy blogger and staff writer at www.familyfriendlyhq.ie
Check out her blog www.mummyvstheworld.com and facebook page