Beyond embarrassing the kids on the dancefloor, fathers play an important role on holiday – here’s how to play your part best
Being a parent on a summer holiday is tough. While every family’s approach is different, a break in the sunshine with your offspring can be a constant juggling act in hope of finding the perfect balance. Why then, despite all the effort, have dads abroad become the laughing stock of Europe’s holiday hotspots?
As thousands of British families enjoy the last weeks of the summer, social media platforms are awash with footage of men becoming all Sergeant Major about catching a flight under the hashtag #AirportDads. Inspired, Heathrow Airport has recruited staff to present frazzled fathers with complimentary restaurant vouchers, lounge access and facials. easyJet has also launched a club for embarrassing dads at one of its Spanish resorts, designated for those who complain loudly on holiday, dance badly and wear socks with sandals (fashionistas might argue this is actually quite in vogue these days).
Why do we find these old stereotypes so funny though? Is it because parental roles are now much less defined? On holiday, my husband cooks, carries, drives up daunting mountain roads, gets up early to hunt for fresh pastries and goes to bed last, locking up at night. My grandfather used to make all the arrangements for my mother’s holidays. He drove everyone to the beach, but once he was settled into a deckchair – often still in his jacket and tie – all that followed was granny’s domain.
Fast forward to the TikTok generation and we now are laughing at dads for taking such responsibilities too seriously. But do dads deserve to take all the flack? Emma Citron, a consultant clinical psychologist, believes that being ultra-organised “is down to personality, rather than gender.” In fact, I know several airport mums. “Some people like to be in control and that can be mum or dad,” she says.