When did you start enjoying holidays with the kids?

We are going to Mallorca in June with (then) 13 month old DD. We’ve rented a villa with pool & grounds, and are going with friends, their 2 DSs (3yo and 10 mo), childfree couple and my parents. Love cooking / BBQs etc so not bothered about that - we always went self catering anywhere pre DD anyway.

Hopefully it will be fun, but this thread is making me nervous!

Do you specifically mean holidays abroad, in the sun, with a pool?

We did that once when dc1 was about 18mo and I hated it for the reasons you’ve mentioned - she was too little to have any sort of common sense, so I was constantly helicoptering her, so that she didn’t wander into the pool and she’s very fair skinned and there was a heatwave at the time, so I was always trying to keep her out of the sun. She’s a good traveller normally, as we have to fly to visit my family, which we have done with her since she seas 5wo. But on that trip, we had enormous queues for security and then passport control, which she SCREAMED throughout. She then wouldn’t sleep in the hotel as it was a new place and too exciting. We had a wedding to go to on that trip as well and the hotel we all stayed at was lovely, but not good with a toddler at all. She was so tired from the lack of sleep that we actually couldn’t attend a good portion of the wedding as she fell asleep in the car there. We woke her to try and go to the wedding as the bride was about to arrive and dd went bananas. I could not calm her down at all so I had to take her back to the car and drive around till she went back to sleep, missing the wedding ceremony. The drinks reception which we came back for was actually pretty poorly planned as there was very little shade and it was blazing hot sunshine all day. We ended up having to leave before the meal as it was so hot and dd was on the edge of a massive tantrum. It was horrendous. There was a very smug couple wheeling a newborn around who kept saying how good their baby had been and I wanted to say “yes, dd was like that as a baby too” but I held my tongue.

Anyway, it was a stressful experience all in all and I have vowed not to take a toddler on a similar trip again.

We tend to stay in the uk and Ireland for holidays now and they’ve all been fab actually; we’ve been to Cork, NI, Cornwall, Wales, Jersey etc, when dd has been 6mo, 15mo, 21mo, 2 and a bit and almost 3. I’ve always liked uk holidays but also loved going to hot places pre-dc, but really don’t anymore. We have a second dc now and I think we’ll maybe take the two of them somewhere hot when the youngest is about 3. Assuming nobody else in my family or close group of friends decides to have a destination wedding before then, (I’m praying they don’t)!

DD was about 4 before there started being any fun for us in our holidays. Before that she actually didn't enjoy them - she didn't like being out of her home routine - so we had a whinging upset infant to deal with. She usually adjusted to the holiday location just as it was time to come home . We never tried the beach / pool type holiday with her: we've always had city breaks or UK self-catering, but it was all ghastly.

However, there's light at the end of the tunnel: she's 7 now and helps to plan our holidays! We still have intermittent whingeing (she'd spend all day every day on the iPad if we let her), but it's much better and there are moments when it's fun for us too.

PS your dh sounds pretty useless if he can't even pack the bag for the day, he needs to step up. Give him a list of what needs to go in then leave him to it. If he forgets something he goes back to get it, and takes your dc.

Taking kids (7 and 2 1/12) on our first abroad holiday next month. I think it will be fine though, it’s with my parents and sister and my kids are the only smallies and get doted on so everyone will muck in! We found the villa on one of the child friendly websites and the pool can be completely secured so that will limit my heart attacks.with me luck though, the 2 yearb9ld will be a nightmare on the plane!

I feel your pain as well, the only holidays I have enjoyed with a toddler have been where we threw quite alot of money at (eg 5* AI in Mexico). But even then didn't feel easy, just easier.

I wish we had the option of kids clubs but my dc is painfully shy and clingy so I couldn't do that to them.

Got a 3 month old and a 3 year old now so one room hotels aren't an option any more, so not sure what we'll do this year. I guess self catering but I hate the cooking so it's even less of a holiday for me.

I think you have to choose the right kind of holiday. A pool holiday in a hot country is madness. Uk... self catering. We rent a beautiful cottage every year... safe secure garden with amazing views. Go swimming at nearby outdoor pools if we fancy. No lying about but I hate that anyway. Trips out and eat out at lunch so we have a snacky dinner with wine once babies are sleeping safely. No stress. It's lovely.

Try tag teaming. Get dh to take baby for a walk when she wakes up. Being left alone till 8am will feel like a lie in! He can explore resort, find somewhere to buy a coffee and newspaper before it gets too hot.
Go for breakfast, then back to the room to get ready for the pool. Take turns playing in the pool. Use buggy for nap, pop her in the shade, you both relax. Lunch, maybe another nap? This time could be in.your room, this could be your time to get creative if you want a bit if holiday "romance"!
Repeat as necessary.
We did this last year with a 1 year old and 4 year old, the only chill time was when baby napped and ds1 went in the kids club. You do see the families with older kids and feel a bit jealous, but you know I look at photos of that holiday now and I'm so glad we went. Try and enjoy it with no expectations (and let go a little bit so dh takes over more).

When you choose a resort, forget about how many swimming pools and the food - it’s all about which one has the best kids’ club and children’s entertainment! Some even do kids’ movie nights and sleepovers!

Are there babysitters available where you are now? I know not everyone is happy with leaving their kids with a stranger but luckily I’ve never had any qualms about it if it means I get a night off

From age 3/4 onwards it definitely gets easier. We did a road trip round South America last year with pre-schoolers and it was hard work at times but we all had an amazing time!

Honestly? Always enjoyed them even when they were toddlers. But I’ve always worked full time and so for me a break from the madness of dropping off at school / nursery, working a 10 hour day etc was always going to be wonderful.

Holidays suck!

We went will an 11month old...went badly, we went with a 14 month old...went badly. We took some grandparents with a 18 month old...went slightly better but GPs also want to relax and not really help (don't blame them!).

This year we are going with a 18 month old and a 3.5 year old. Gotta keep trying lol!

No idea. Id 2 under 2 and was horribly sick and exhausted with pregnancy, next year 3 under 3. Both years were crap for me as we went abroad and I was exhausted. Then we did a local holiday with 3 under 4 and I was sick and exhausted with pregnancy again. This year we’ll take the 4 locally again and for the first time I’m looking forward to it. I’m not pregnant and the two oldest are able to follow instruction and play lots. In my mind it can only get better!

I love all our holidays. The first was long-haul when DC1 was 4 months old.

DH travelled a lot for work and we were able to downgrade his seat from Business and get 2 economy seats for about the same price.

Make use of some childcare - most hotels/resorts will have a list of trusted babysitters. Have some babysitter time both during the day and also for some lovely evening meals. Don't feel in any way guilty about this, and use the time to reconnect and enjoy time with your DH.

Could you take it in turns? DH takes her to the playground for an hour while you swim, then swap. We used to do this before we had dc2. Now it's just chaos!

I've enjoyed every holiday - started when DS1 was 10 months. And we've never used a kids club.

We did AI when they were tiny and took it in turns to look after D.C. Whilst the other parent did a sporting activity.

Then we started self catering houses near the beach and with a garden. They were fab too.

Now (DC are 4&7) we tend to take turns playing with the D.C. And relaxing on the beach. Easier on a beach than by a pool. Then do trips out to zoos etc. Only "bad" holiday was with a 3 year old and 7 month old and it rained every day. That was tricky.

Food wise, we just do quick easy food. Not as tasty as usual but quick to prepare.

sorry,didn't mean to imply that you are a terrible mother.
It's ok to change the routine and have long naps to avoid the worst of the heat,but be outside early morning and late afternoon instead!

The more active you are first thing in the morning, the more chance of a a nap (or watching cartoons on the tv) at midday.

Holidays with kids are completely different to holidays without. They can be just as great, but do not try to replicate the first ones, it can't work.

4yr old would get up before everyone and disappear we were caravaning at well known holiday camp

When they were 3 & 6

But only because the 6 yo is the horror

If they’d been the other way around it’d’ve been 9 & 6

honestly? From birth - or 6 months old which was the youngest we went away. Until the end of Primary School, we only went on short flights, so not so much entertaining to do on a plane.
Toddlers are the most challenging on a flight, but with enough snacks, games and new toys, very manageable for up to4 or 5 hours on a plane. (and plenty of exercise before hand)

Plus of holidays: there are 2 adults, instead of 1 to handle the kids.
Everything is new, so no lack of entertainment and distraction, places to visit and so on.
You are so much more relax: no strict routine, no school run, no work, you can enjoy yourself and it doesn't matter if your breakfast last 10 minutes too long. No train to catch.

Holidays are genuinely my favourite part of the year. Disclaimer: we take a tablet and a laptop, so kids can watch cartoons on the plane, or when we want to enjoy a glass of wine in peace!
We have a schedule to occupy everybody even if it's pouring with rain non-stop for whatever time we have booked. It has never happened, but we always have "something" to do when we fancy.

I am never bored or stressed when we are away, even with the little ones, and have never used a creche or holiday club, never needed to.
I am waiting until they are old enough to stay home alone to book a trip to the Maldives though

Me and my husband use to take an hour each on duty so we had an hour of relaxing in rotation. They all slept for a couple of hours after lunch usually when we could chill together.

Things that entertained them, taking a clean empty paper cup or two in the baby pool to pour water in and out of at side of pool. Those long tubes you squirt water out of, wandering around for walks and chatting to anyone that stopped us, youtube on a phone or tablet (don’t care if anyone judges that) playpark, get some snacks out, playpakr, all go play in the pool together.

The alternating hourly defo helped though.

I am a single parent and take my 3 on my own. I think this year and last year were a huge improvement, youngest DS was almost 5 and almost 6.

Previous to that there were enjoyable moments but also it was very difficult at times. The older they get the more the balance shifts.

Mine don't like kids club but do play together for a short period each day which means I can eat h from the sunbed.

Also and I will prob get slated for this but an hour in the shade with YouTube at the hottest time of day was a miracle for me.

When they are much older, just had a more reasonable holiday with 13 & 9 yo. Mine always flatly refused to go to the kids clubs too, so we never managed that when they were little.
We can now manage a few drinks, an hour or two of un interrupted reading & sunbathing by the pool, and cultural visits. Not going to lie, it's not enjoyable when they are young.

I think last year was the first one I truly enjoyed! DS was 3 and it was miles easier and more fun than previous holidays which were just stressful!

He was at a great age - could eat proper good, no nappies, no pram, sleeps well. We went to Cornwall (around 6/7 hour drive from home) and he loved the beach, exploring little villages/towns, having picnics. We chose a cottage with outdoor space where he could play which meant we could have some afternoons sat outside relaxing while he played.

Going again this year and I can't wait!

We've decided no fancy hols till the kids are older. Total waste of time, money and energy. A duck is the same as a Bengal tiger to a 4 year old.