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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

When did you start enjoying holidays with the kids?

183 replies

Holidayhell18 · 26/04/2018 19:33

I'm going to sound like an absolute cow I know, but here goes.

DH lost his grandma recently and she left him some money which he decided he wanted to spend on a family holiday to a 'dream destination'.

We're here. It's hell.

DD is 12 months, has just started walking and is into everything. This means she won't keep still and is forever darting off, giving me a heart attack whenever we're near the pool. We took her to the beach but she hated the sand. It's so so hot and I'm struggling to find anything to keep her occupied. The resort is ok but only has a small play area and I don't want her there all day especially in the mid day heat.

I'm a SAHM and normally it's fine because I've built a great little routine for us of groups and classes and friends but here it feels like those first few weeks again where I was totally clueless. DH tries but he'll pack the bag and forget nappies or wipes or hats etc... so I have to take control of everything.

Where we are is beautiful and somewhere I'd have loved to come before children, but I feel like I'm in mourning for my life (my holiday life) pre children where we could eat late and get drunk and lie on a sun lounger reading trashy novels.

So how long was it before you could relax and actually enjoy your holiday? Or does everyone do that already and I'm a shitty person and terrible mother??

OP posts:
onemouseplace · 26/04/2018 19:47

The first holiday I booked a resort with a kids club. Honestly, it was a revelation. It meant I actually enjoyed the time spent with my children as I knew I was going to get some childfree holiday time each day as well.

noenergy · 26/04/2018 19:46

Enjoyed last years holiday when youngest just turned 3. We got into a routine of breakfast, pool all day on slides, snacks and lunch around pool, beach late afternoon, change, dinner, funfair rides and then kids entertainment/ disco and finally bed. We used to stay up after kids fell asleep exhausted. The 3 kids had a ball and lived the waterslides in the kids pool.

LyannaStarktheWolfMaid · 26/04/2018 19:46

Mine are 13 and 6, and holidays are lovely. They get more relaxing every year. They improve dramatically when the kids are 3 or 4 can be mostly trusted not to fling themselves off things or into things.

underneaththeash · 26/04/2018 19:45

I think after the age of 4. Before that self catering and hotels with a creche are essential....

TheSconeOfStone · 26/04/2018 19:45

We mainly camp or do static caravan holidays but with theme parks/lovely towns/interesting historic stuff close by. Cheap and cheerful and flexible. If it goes to shit you don’t feel £1,000s have been wasted. Started being fun at age 6 and 3 as kids made friends on site and got thoroughly worn out.

AvoidingDM · 26/04/2018 19:43

Pools & beaches are stressful with mobile babies. We loved our first holiday with at 7 mths took him on a walking holiday.

lessthanBeau · 26/04/2018 19:42

Family holidays are awesome, just don't ever take one with a child aged between just started walking and 2.5yrs, before and after that it's great. Grin

iambreezy · 26/04/2018 19:40

You're very normal! That was me a few years ago.
Last year was our first holiday where I didn't come back looking like utter shit and feeling exhausted and stressed. Kids 7 and 4 then. Beach holiday with rock bottom low expectations but we made a holiday routine (up, breakfast, dress, pack, beach, sandwiches, ice cream, back to hotel, pool, shower, dress dinner, bed). It's still not remotely relaxing for me but it's got elements of being really enjoyable as opposed to just same old shit but more chaotic and hotter. Have fun!
Try buying a mini paddling pool - set it up on the beach with water and toys in. She can sit or walk around in it. Under umbrella?