Lee's blog: Making Summer A Verb

In my youth I was obsessed with the type of books and TV shows that depicted rich American families who did not take holidays in the way in which I understood holidays existed but rather they “Summered” in the Hamptons and spent the ski seasons in Aspen. Quite specifically the summering was the concept I fell in love with. It has always stuck with me as the ideal way to enjoy life – peppered with summer romances, society gossip and seemingly endless freedom to hang out on beaches with your friends including beach bonfires. While that was the teenage dream the adult equivalent still sticks – a true break from the daily grind, allowing your children the freedom to roam and learn in a different environment and having a chance to only concern yourself with which wine pairs best with lunch all while wearing beautiful flowy summer dresses!

Realising that Summering in the Hamptons was probably a stretch too far with the lack of generational wealth and no American society circle to speak of I rejigged my aspirations and have just returned from my reimagined idea of Summering on a beautiful French island.

A few years ago, we happened upon this island on a drive taken purely to keep my daughter who had chicken pox entertained and away from the general public. After 5 minutes driving through the streets, I could tell that this epitomised the concept of summering to me and reignited my desire to do so! Beautiful small towns, food markets that would make you want to cook every day, cycling as the best means of transport (allowing lazy lunches with wine or beach bar cocktails) I will be back to Summer here I thought!

This year we worked out how to do this -while time off was not an issue for my teacher husband or the kids I had to consider my corporate 9-5 in the planning, our other commitments and the practicalities – working for a European bank helps as the attitude to holiday leave is generally enthusiastic and accommodating. My very competent team had it all covered, and I literally had no worries on that side. Very early on in parenting I acknowledged that holidays with kids is just parenting abroad but this is getting easier every year as they are now 8 and 4 and pretty resilient little characters with a sense of adventure.

And so, I summered in my own way for just over 3 weeks! From day 1 I was immersed in every bit of this new French life. I read books, ran beautiful scenic runs, swam in the sea, we ate ice creams and croissants.  We shopped in the food markets, the kids rode carousels, we all made some beautiful new friends. We practiced our very limited French and rode bicycles wobbling down the streets. We watched the fireworks on Bastille Day and became connoisseurs on crepes. We were able to give the girls the freedom and autonomy they crave, and they spent hours in the playground or games areas building friendships and playing games, there was no bedtime and no real schedule to keep to.

I am back now refreshed (but maybe not as rested as I had anticipated) and I am really glad to say that my idea of summering delivered, and it was a privilege to be able to do it in this way. I cannot wait to get planning for next year. I hope you all get to Summer in the loveliest way this year.

Lee is a mum, accountant, coffee lover and sometimes runner. She is married, has two young girls and works mostly remotely for a London based bank.

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• Families