As the kids have grown older, finding a common window for a family holiday has become surprisingly tricky. School breaks no longer align neatly, and everyone’s calendar is packed — with work, studies, CCAs, or simply life pulling in different directions. On regular days, we’re often like housemates passing one another in transit. That’s why, when a few overlapping weeks appear, we try to take them seriously. They're not just trips but rare pockets to slow down together. Whether it's a remote village or a busy city, what counts is that we’re away from routine and in each other’s company. Our recent trip to China was one of those moments — although not all of us could make it. Nigel had to miss it due to reservist, which was unfortunate but also a reflection of where we are now. Sometimes, not everyone can be there, but we’ve learnt to adjust accordingly. Better some of us than none at all. What’s been heartening, though, is watching the kids step up in ways they didn’t before — ...