If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a youth hostel to give their parents a break | Nell Frizzell

Going to a youth hostel with four babies was as bonding as joining a band—it felt like an unexpected family experience. These hostels, once home to wealthy aristocrats, now offer affordable stays with fresh air and nature for working-class families, teenagers, pensioners, and more. The author loved the shared meals, laundry, and fun without the usual family chaos, even relaxing in sandals on a beach or enjoying fresh fish and chips in a converted kitchen. Now, as summer approaches, she's stomping through fields to a former mansion, relishing the unique bond with other women who've done similar experiences with their own babies.