Newborn / centre parcs

That's such a beautiful thing to say and I wholeheartedly agree.

How are you @Grinchismybestie . Did you make a decision? I hope things are ok for you

Go 💐

@Grinchismybestie I saw your previous thread.

I think, given the circumstances, if you want to do something, you do it. You are the framework of the family upon which everything that needs to be done is hanging. You need to do anything and everything that you think you need to keep functioning.

Go and have a lovely time. Don’t allow anyone else to guilt you. Hug and kiss your kids and make those memories.

The hard part will be packing and getting there.

If you feel able to do that then being there will be fine - likely better than fine if you know you won't be disturbed by endless visits and you have the funds to pay for eating out/takeaways or taking food with you. They stock some good "homemade" meals in the supermarkets but they are not cheap.

I'd just caution you that the villas don't have washing machines (though there are onsite laundry facilities) so for a newborn you might want to take more baby clothes than you think necessary if you decide to go.

I've been multiple times (including when DS was a baby) and really enjoyed it - especially at Christmas.

I personally found it much more relaxing with a baby than at home. I'm not really sure why though if I'm honest.

Every time I go go CP there are what look like days old babies there. I think it’s a lovely idea! Enjoy.

And congratulations on baby Lucy x

Is it ,short drive away?
Are older kids old enough to go buy milk or bread from the shop? Or whatever needed? Do you have enough funds to order in as much as needed?
How will you drop off car at car park ?
If you feel up to it and other kids are self sufficient and helpful go for it

Personally I think it's a great idea based on your opening post.

It's a very child friendly place where you can chill out in the knowledge you won't be disturbed.

I'm so sorry for your loss and appreciate why being at home would be very difficult for you.

Changing the environment can be helpful when navigating grief and going somewhere where the older children can keep busy and you can navigate that with a baby in a child friendly place seems sensible to me.

CP is also so pretty at Christmas with the forest and lights so just walking around can feel quite magical.

Good wishes whatever you decide OP

Recent experience.....full of kids coughing and sneezing all over the place. It's a terrible idea with a newborn, esp early one. When they catch a nasty cough, cold, flu it can lead to rsv problems later. No way would I do that.

I'm so sorry for your loss though, I'd want to nit be home too. Sadly i think it's best for your new baby though.

I understand why you would want to, but I think it would be difficult.

The driving, the logistics, unfamiliar surroundings, all the stuff you would have to pack, having to entertain/supervise older kids on not much sleep.

If you stayed at home could family help with the older kids?

I'm sorry, it must be so difficult. Congratulations on your new arrival though xxx

Sorry for what an awful time you've been through, and congratulations on the birth of your new baby. Whatever you decide is the right thing to do, yanbu!! Take care xxx

Personally I don’t think it’s a good idea.

Congratulations and I’m so sorry that such a wonderful thing has happened in amongst so much grief 💐

If you’re up to the drive, I think it would be an amazing thing to do. Your newborn is going to be at the stage where they’re at their most portable, while the other two will be old enough to go for a bike ride or swim while you sit there with the baby. Their ovens are an absolute pain in the arse though, so you might want to do something relatively low maintenance for dinner. Also, if you go on one of the FB pages for your location, lots of people who have paid for trees are offering to leave them behind for the next person. If not, just string some fairy lights up to make it cosy. And Home Bargains do the smokeless logs for a couple of quid, rather than paying £87 for three logs at CP.

I'm sorry for your loss OP. Congratulations on the safe arrival of your little one.
My advice would be to do what it is you feel you need. Is there a friend who would come with you? Even if not for Christmas day itself the other days?

is the other child's Mum still alive?

Which CP are you going to hun?

I took my 3 week old to Butlins Skegness for a week in 2017. She loved it and was spoilt rotten.

I'd breastfeed or express to boost her natural immunity. I did.

First of all, massive hugs for all you’ve been through.

I did similar after our youngest got out of NICU so the older ones had a holiday after a long slog going back and forward to visit youngest in hospital. CP itself is great for babies and young kids.

Only advice I can offer is take loads of clothing for newborn as there was no washing machines in the lodge or anywhere within the CP we visited. I’d taken only a few outfits and assumed I’d be able to wash stuff while there.

Maybe hold off on telling them and try to enjoy your newborn bubble for a few days.

You've a lot of emotions to deal with and I think you can allow yourself some grace and privacy for a few days while you get used to having a baby again.
If you still feel it's going to be a bit much after a few days, maybe go to CP, perhaps with a friend?

Personally, I think having that peace may be nice while you navigate the first few weeks.

I would totally go.
How old are older children?

Then go. I had post natal anxiety after first baby and the Christmas stress set it off with second. That's why we went.

They make everything very easy for you.

Contact access team. Ask for help if needed. Presumably many things will be booked already? By you?

If it's whinfell PM me as a magical person I know is going and I'm sure she would be a friendly face if you needed one.

Very close to what I did.

Dd was born a week early on 18th. By 2nd January I was a near wreck from the visitors so went for a week from the 3rd with the children. DH didn't come as was working.

Utter peace. Walks from door. Loved every second and is still one of the best holidays I've had with small children.

It sure how the bedrooms work etc but could you take another adult with you ?