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We have been on holiday for several years running with another family, and (mostly) get on very well with them. I think the key reason for this is that when we first started doing this we weren't especially close friends. I think that this meant that we made no assumptions about each other or our children, or critically our views about child rearing.

Conversely we went on holiday one year with some very close friends, assuming that we would all get on very well, and it was actually quite difficult. We were astounded by some of their views about what was/wasn't acceptable for the children - and they felt similarly about us, I'm sure!

With the first family we have become much closer friends and, over the years, have developed clear roles for each of us that makes the whole holiday work much better. I and the husband of the other couple share the cooking, my dh fills the dishwasher, clears up after dinner and empties the dishwasher in the morning, and the other wife cleans and organises any washing.

we have been holiday with dps extended family (every member of i think!!) and close friends of thiers.

everyone got one really well and it was easier as you could take turns keeping an eye on what the kids were upto and some of the family friends had older kids who took of the little ones so it took pressure of the parents and every one was able to have a nice holiday.

although every one stayed in different apartments we met up every morning after breakfast and spent the day togteher doing what had been decided as a group and would meet up on a night after dinner.

i wasnt expecting it to go well as i hadnt known dp long at that point and hadnt met most of his extended family or thier friends and was worried about what they would think of dd1 as she can be a horror at times. they all got on well with hera nd thought that she was adorable but spoilt rotten it was her first holiday and hse got away with murder.