Tomorrow we embark on a 3500 mile round road trip with 4 DC - AIBU to say that I don't want to go now?

[IMustBeLoopy]

It was a good idea in theory, now I can't face it! We can't afford a 'proper' holiday with planes and hotels so will be driving and staying at Europecamp, hostels and relatives.

5 weeks on the road with 4 DC aged from 3 (still potty training) to 16 (absolute nightmare). We are travelling through Europe from Calais to Greece stopping off at various destinations on the way. I had looked forward to us bonding as we cannot escape each other in the car! and seeing new scenery. Today I have the jitters about it. The sheer exhaustingness of being alert and on call constantly. The utter nightmare of packing (which I have not yet started).

We have done similar before btw (road trip across Canada/US with 3DC and a similar European trip last year with a then 2 year old ). Maybe that is what has put me off. It was haaarrrddd.

I have a headache just thinking about it.

[LadyBeagleEyes]

It sounds wonderful.You can have lots of stops in beautiful places, the kids will sleep in the car some of the time and make sure they have plenty stuff to do like portable dvds and computer games.
I'd love a road trip like that.

[HollyBerryBush]

How much is the petrol going to cost? Where are you sleeping?

My friend has done this every year since his 3 DC were very small and taken MIL along too, but he is the master of the cheap holiday and out of the way B&Bs - he uses youth hostels. He also precision plans, he can quite easily cover 4 european countries (usually France, Switzerland, Italy and 1 other) in the summer holidays and get change back from £2,500 for 6 people.

its not as if you are going to be driving for 14 hours a day for 6 weeks is it?

[eccentrica]

it will be great for whoever gets to sit in the front!

[Justforlaughs]

YANBU - you are totally barking bonkers!
Actually, try to stay positive, and make it an adventure. Your DCs will pick up on your vibes. and make sure that you have a portable dvd player in your car, with headphones so you don't have to listen to the Peppa Pig song incessantly. If it gets too awful, is there anyway that you can turn round?

[scratchandsniff]

Hmmmm you're brave! It's all planned now though, so just go with the flow and try enjoy it. At least at 16 the older DC can help out with younger DC if he/she isn't a complete Kevin the teenager type. There will probably be times you feel like tearing your hair out, but there will also be lots of good times and lovely memories made. Enjoy!!

[hadababygirl]

My parents used to do this, and it was bloody awful. Baking hot car, both of us throwing up, squabbling over what music to play and my dad nearly killed us on 3 occasions, one driving on the wrong side of the road, one time falling asleep at the wheel and driving into a ditch and once when a deer charged across the road.

Have you got a DVD player in the car or anything?

[WaitingForMe]

We did trips like this a few times as a kid and it was great (my parents didn't tolerate squabbling). We got involved in looking at maps and loved it.

A friend just did it with a six month old! She had an amazing time.

[Justforlaughs]

I'm struggling with how this was a cheaper option!

[OhMerGerd]

It will be FANTASTIC! You lucky lucky people. Go enjoy. The DC will follow your mood and you will have an amazing time.

My parents used to do this in the 70's with us 4 DC and no aircon or fancy gadgets to keep us amused just eye spy and copious bottles orange squash plus 'bushies' loo breaks.

We've done it with our DC and now they're grown up they're trying to get their package tour everything planned and totally boring chums into the freedom of just booking the ferry and going.

It's a massive adventure. Tell yourself that, tell the DC that. Treat any unexpected challenges as part of the adventure and everyone will take in good spirit. Even the 16 to and especially the 3 yo.

Have amazing fun. Bon voyage!

[thistlelicker]

You can't afford proper
Holiday?
I think you could have in comparison and had
Change! :-/

[WorrySighWorrySigh]

We have done something similar though only 3 weeks when DCs were 1, 3 & 5.

It was a huge adventure. DCs dont really remember it clearly but DH and I have some great memories.

[OhTheConfusion]

We did something similar before DC3 came along... but we went by train! We had the best time and we will definitely do it again when DD2 no longer needs to be carried/pushchair! Pack light (you never NEED all that stuff) and enjoy... Happy Holidays!

[ZillionChocolate]

It'll be great. Don't panic.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B005K15D4W?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21
This is a lovely book about a long road trip with small people.

[gallifrey]

We are going to Portugal in August to stay with my dm who lives there. The flights for the 4 of us on easyjet was £1500 so we are getting a ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo and then driving with 1 stop near Pamplona. I wasn't going to potty train my 2 yr old dd until we came back but she decided to start using the potty last week!

[Sparklingbrook]

I am having trouble imagining doing that.

[TheGinLushMinion]

Sounds fantastic, sure you'll have a great time!

I too am struggling with how it's the cheaper option though tbh...

[grumpyoldbat]

I don't understand how this is cheap either

[DumSpiroSpero]

And there's me worrying about driving from Brighton to Cornwall with one nearly 9yo !

In theory I think your trip sounds like great fun - I presume you and your DH are fairly laid back to even consider it?

[mrsminiverscharlady]

YABU. Since when has a 'proper' holiday had to include planes and hotels? You do understand that being able to go away for 5 weeks driving around Europe is out of most people's reach? Perhaps you should realise you're actually quite lucky instead of hard done by - the kids will take their cues from you and if you make an effort to enjoy it you're more likely to actually have a good time.

[Meglet]

How cheap is cheap? you are very brave! it sounds like my idea of hell

Surely you could have a great week down in cornwall plus days out for that money. Or a couple of weeks camping in the south of france?

[3littlefrogs]

My brother and his wife plus 3 dc are both teachers.

They go camping on the south coast (UK) for 6 weeks every summer, have done for the last 15 years, it costs very little and they always have a brilliant time and come back well rested and relaxed.

I think a road trip across Europe would be expensive and tiring. Could you reduce the distance and stay longer? Maybe just stay at a couple of places?

Camping in France and Spain is very cheap. You don't even have to find a camp site in France, you can camp anywhere. 2 of my DC have just cycled across France, camping in fields and buying provisions from the farmer!

My DH always overestimates how much it is possible to do with DC in tow. I would suggest you reduce things a bit, then you will be able to relax a bit more.

[2old2beamum]

Did similar to galifrey with 3 DC's Down Syndrome 2, 5,and 8 it was brilliant. Send my love to Pamplona.
Like you youngest decided nappies no longer necessary great fun

IMustBeLoopy Just enjoy the memories will be with you for ever!!

[Angelfootprints]

Another one who doesnt understand how 5 weeks with all that petrol, food, accommodation, laundry bills, tourist attraction costs etc could be cheaper than a one week package?