Would you go away with your in-laws?

Holidays are about kicking back with your nearest and dearest, but we ask...

- KERRY HARDEN

YES

It gives me a chance to relax' Nic Smith, 42, from Clitheroe, Lancashire, is founder of Joy First, an agency specialising in colour psychology, offering 'joy makeovers' at jnicholesmith.​com.

Holidaying with the in-laws started out as a necessity for us. Me and my husband Phil, 44, have our own businesses, which involve travelling. In 2019, when our daughter Chloe was three months old, we took her to Toronto. My mum Sherryl, then 63, lived in Seattle, so she met us there to help out. Phil and I were both grateful for the extra pair of hands, and Mum got time with her new granddaughter.

Six months later, when we went to Cyprus for Phil's work, we invited Phil's dad. We all stayed in a villa for two weeks and Grandpa took on the childcare while we worked.

In February 2021, we had our second daughter, Emily.