This month’s health and lifestyle column from Corinne Yeadon, of the Being Better private therapy practice in Skipton

THE school holidays are drawing to a close and as a grandparent of older children, I feel fortunate they have willingly spent time with me without duress.

Well they weren’t being dragged kicking and screaming to granny’s, but if we reflect on our own adolescent selves often time with family could be a duty or obligation that interrupted the important business of being with friends.

I have fond memories of time spent with my grandparents in Giggleswick; I genuinely enjoyed the simple things, going for walks, helping granny, games of dominoes with grandad and watching Laurel and Hardy. Most of all I loved hearing stories from the past, which I now pass on to my granddaughters.

We live in a different world nowadays, but simple pleasures are not to be underestimated and can be enjoyed by the tech smart generation. We can get caught up in traps and unhelpful beliefs that spending lots of money equals a better time and more fun.

This six weeks' holiday has been a considered balance of the old and the new without breaking the bank. There has been trips out for pizza and burgers, but this has been balanced with baking, crafting, creating a storybook, dog walks and even washing the car, as requested by youngest granddaughter much to our amazement and delight.

We often place undue pressure on ourselves to provide extraordinary experiences for grandchildren, without the realisation that they are already having a different experience.

Grandparents who are not primary caregivers, don’t have the same daily juggling of commitments and responsibilities, so have the benefit and luxury of devoting time to enjoyable activities.

Memory making isn’t solely dependent on the activity or experience, we recall past events because of the laughter, fun and warm fuzzy feelings attached to the experience.