RELATIONSHIP charity Relate Gloucestershire and Swindon is giving advice to families about coping with one another during the summer holidays.

Calls to Relate Gloucestershire and Swindon often increase dramatically after the school holidays as family tensions simmer during the long summer break.

Relate family counsellor Janet Jorgensen said: “Most of us look forward to the summer holidays, but sometimes it can end up feeling like a very long time to keep the kids entertained. Tempers can get frayed and families can end up counting down the days until September begins. But summer is actually a good time to reconnect with all the important relationships in your life – from your kids and your partner to your friends and wider family.”

Janet’s six tips include planning together, make the most of what’s special about summer, diffusing tensions before things get too heated, switching off during the break, reconnecting with friends and family and spending time with your partner.

Relate Gloucestershire and Swindon offers information, advice and counselling for all stages of your relationships.

Call the charity on 01242 523215 or visit www.relateglos.co.uk for information.