Joking apart, it's crash diet time as we dispel all thoughts of the big freeze by cheering ourselves up with thoughts of summer holidays.

I love holidays. I spend all year dreaming of long, summer days, frolicking with the children and the dogs, having fun with all the family, creating those magical memories that everyone will look upon fondly in the future.

That's right, fantasies are so much nicer than the reality, which is much different in our house.

But while I love holidays, my husband finds them stressful, as do many people.

Holidays compel you to live up to the expectation that you should have a good time when, actually, it might be disappointing. Being displaced from your comfort zones can be upsetting for some people.

While I love holidays, it still amazes me that we, like so many others, spend thousands of pounds on a holiday, to be squashed into a living and sleeping space smaller than our kitchen at home.

Why do we pack ourselves into such tiny accommodation? And force a smile to each other telling ourselves that we are having a good time?

My husband doesn't travel well, so it becomes a military operation for me to organise everything with precision to avoid the usual raised voices before we even get to the airport.

The first argument usually takes place at the baggage handling, then on the plane. We're usually staring tight-lipped out of opposite windows of the taxi by the time we reach our hotel.

Maybe I am kidding myself when I think I am going to spend hours lounging by the pool, feeling that searing heat bronze my pasty English skin.

I'm more likely to run around ensuring the brood aren't drowning/choking/burning/thumping each other.

Everyone looks at me with horror when I say I'm going away with the kids. I've even had comments such as "I pity the people sitting next to you."

It's these comments that infuriate me. What is it with some people? We don't even pack the dogs off to kennels, so what am I supposed to do with the children?

I am surely not alone when I get cross with people who tut and mutter when you take children anywhere. My advice for them is to go on a singles holiday or go to a dedicated child-free resort.

Don't drop disparaging remarks. Children are a blessing and certainly make my life worth living. One final great benefit to holidays (apart from the kids' clubs) is, of course, the food.

Eating is essential to living and, to me, enjoying life and food go hand in hand. Guilt is a waste of energy on holiday, so I say tuck in.

As Woody Allan said: "If you don't like it you can always complain."

One lady to another: "You know the food here is terrible."

The other shakes her head. "I know, and such tiny portions, too."

Have a nice holiday.

E-MAIL: ablack@jewishtelegraph.com