The arrival of children can throw a spanner in the holiday works of the most seasoned traveller. Packing for a holiday with young children is so gargantuan that flying seems out of the question, and yet with the vagaries of the British climate, a holiday in the UK can seem a bit of a gamble.

Where better to go therefore than France? Everything can be thrown in the car and you don't need to drive hundreds of miles to find a good holiday spot. If the weather's poor then at least the food and wine should provide some compensation.

Here are my five top tips for ensuring that your holiday is every bit as enjoyable as those pre-children!

• 1. Plan your holiday like a military campaign. Think carefully about your choice of destination and don't be over-ambitious with distances. Only you know how long your children will tolerate travelling in the car without driving you crazy with cries of "Are we nearly there?" If in doubt book a hotel for an overnight stop and remember that there are lovely areas of Northern France which are ideal for family holidays.
• 2. Be prepared for every eventuality. You may feel that you are risking a slipped disc as you stagger up the stairs of the ferry carrying everything but the kitchen sink but when your child is seasick and both he and you require hourly changes of clothes you will be glad that you came prepared.
• 3. Accept that you may have to sing "The Wheels on the Bus" fifty times and play I-Spy ad nauseam if that's what it takes for peace to reign in the car. Take goody bags with stickers, colouring books and puzzles. If you wrap them up that kills even more time! Have frequent stops to kick a ball or throw a frisbee and if you're lucky the children might fall asleep. Pack drinks and snacks so that you don't have to stop every time someone is peckish.
• 4. By all means expose your children to French food but at the end of the day don't let it become an issue if all they want is French bread and ice-cream. If you need a fortnight's supply of baked beans to keep your child happy then put it in the car. Holidays are meant to be enjoyable for everyone!
• 5. Remember that the French in general are far more child-friendly than we are and that a "bonjour" or "merci" from your little one will have a magical effect. When we were rendered car-less in Brittany following a mechanical breakdown, the local baker ran us to the beach every day for a week, all because our two-year old had mumbled "bonjour" a couple of times when we went to get our morning baguette.

For a few more tips on travelling with kids take a look at our guide to Holidaying in France with young children.