Are my kids just harder than other peoples or AIBU and it’s just bad parenting on my part?!

A long holiday is hard going. They’re out of any kind of routine, don’t have home comforts, and likely don’t have the language or skills yet to fully identify how they’re feeling emotionally about this, or convey it - so instead it comes out as frustrating and bickering etc. You say you’re exhausted - amplify that by x amount and you’re probably at your kids level of this (especially as you’re the adult and will have organised this, be aware of schedules and plans in advance, where I imagine things are much less so for them, so they will have feelings of lack of control etc). All of this contributes to feeling out of sorts.

I would try and take a step back from the frustration if the moment, ground yourself, and try and see what’s beneath the behaviours that are annoying you, so you can help the kids navigate their emotions a bit better, and hopefully feel more empathy and compassion for them as they’re struggling (and loads of self compassion for yourself, as it is HARD navigating this stuff, especially when you’ll also have all these ideals in your head about how you wanting this holiday to go, and no doubt feel some discomfort and resentment at the fact that it’s not perfect and idyllic). I don’t know what the practical answer is, besides seeing what you can do to take the pressure off a little if you’ve been super busy with activities. Sometimes we just need some down time, especially if it’s a long break and you’ve been travelling a lot.

I hope you can salvage your break, it sounds like a wonderful trip. It’s just definitely hard going when travelling with kids ❤️

My two are almost 5 and 8 and the squabbling this summer has been so intense. I don't know why. The eldest is a girl and the youngest is a boy. She orders him around too much, he doesn't comply. They scream at each other. He decides to play some game with her and gets too rough, she wails. They are constant in asking for things and whinging and it is all just a lot! We've used minimal holiday camps this summer for childcare and juggled work a lot but in the October holidays I will schedule more childcare. They are better when we are out and doing activities but without that its arghhhh. They both love the holiday camps etc and playing with kids own ages so the part of me that has mum guilt about them going is eased. Good luck, you are not alone. We are not terrible parents, just parents juggling a lot with kids in modern times. If anyone says 'back in my day the kids just got on with it' then yes that may be true but sending kids off to play in fields or roam woods at 8 and 5 on their own would be frowned upon now.