Just want to go home

@holly201 this is bringing back memories of dd at 18months.
She caught a cold on the way out, kept us awake every night, it was the hottest summer in Greece for 40 years, dd wouldn’t eat anything except strawberries.

We ploughed on through and the next few years we stayed in the UK.

I'm not sure how suggesting butlins now when OP is already there is helpful...

Yes holidays with small children are not really holidays. Better to choose something child orientated (Butlins) or rent a villa with your own space where you can make food you know the kids will eat.

At that age dd used to love butlins. Honestly I would just do that for five days until they’re older

I went with my 1 year old the first couple nights were rough, but we just went with the flow. Shared beds and all sorts, it's not home and a new environment for us all so we just winged it. Had a blast. If they don't like the swim outfit, maybe a T-shirt and shorts? Just throw out ideas around and see what can work. X

Can you and your partner not take turns so you both have time dealing with the the stress of a one year old and some relaxing time?

Oh and another thing...sorry I keep thinking of things that got me through

Walk to local supermarkets and buy some snacks etc for the room and then when nap time you can try and relax and take snacks with you for little one

Also. Can you go to the beach? We found this much better as the kids could play.

But cheap beach toys from local tat should. Annoying having to pay for sunbeds but you will get sun bed with brolly. Dip in and out of sea to keep cool.

I found it far more stressful around the pool. Wasn't helped that the pool was absolutely freezing and we couldn't use it and the weather wasn't overly hot. Beach was a much better option all round.

Other think buy a brolly from again said local store and use it on pool sun bed. I would buy some string and scissors and tie it on if you can't get one in the morning. The sunbed rush is the actual worst.

Holidays with under 5s are never really holidays, especially with a 1 and 2yo - the day has to end with bedtime and meals are tricky. Sorry your accommodation is rubbish. Is it just you or do you have a partner with you?

Oh. I could have written this three weeks ago. We were in exactly the same position. I was googling flights home day 2. By day 4 it's eased off. Mine are 4 and 2.

Everyone asked me if we had a nice time. The truth was a bit of it was nice. A lots was very tricky and some was down right horrible.

Learnt a valuable lesson this holiday.

If they live off ice cream all week so be it. They won't die. But like you I found it so stressful. I knew the whinging and horrible behaviour would ease off slightly if they just had something to eat. We resorted to looking for a macdonald and I've never been so glad to see them eat a happy meal.

Keep giving water/juice fruit juice etc.

Would they nap in the pram?

I get it. It's bloody hard work and not a holiday. We won't be doing it again for a good few years.

Yeah we learned this when DS was one. Took him to Fiji (closer to us!). Every time we'd go to leave the room he'd want to nap or activities weren't child friendly. Getting decent food he'd eat was tough.

My issue was that I hadn't adjusted from adventurous child free travel to holidays with kids. Mine are 11 and 8 now & it's a whole other set of problems!!

We've learned to accept those days are gone, for now, and compromise. We also make sure we do things for ourselves. I like early morning beach walks (I hate holidaying at the standard beach places) & DH sleeps late a couple of days.

But yes, we stay closer to home, as much as we hate it!!

It is a difficult age for holidays. Two weeks earlier, heat wise would have been better. Try to think if the positives, no cooking or housework.