Why don't people take their kids on holiday?

I don’t know anyone like that so can’t help. What’s up with the group you’re in?!?

I don’t know anyone who hasn’t taken their kids abroad and none of us are fabulously rich, we’re just normal middle earner families who like a bit of sunshine and different food and culture.

Having said that, school holiday prices are ridiculous so I can see why many don’t make it a priority.

When my kids were younger, I took them away in the UK... they never seemed that interested. They just about liked a beach or park but to be honest, seemed to have just as much fun in the local park, where they can literally spend hours or we do quite a bit of walking. Last few years I have taken them abroad but the 15 year old has told me she doesn't want to go this Summer.. hates the travel and finds it stressful and not worth it. Shame as I have enjoyed the break. They don't mind a city break but even then their fave bit seems to be bed picnics in a Premier Inn. I love spending time with them and we have a lovely time at home.

I think for some people they have the mentality of "a holiday MUST be abroad otherwise it doesn't count" (as the OP of this thread possibly thinks....).
So yes I know children who have been to places all over the world. Several times a year (not just in the summer but every half term).
They might go on day trips to a UK theme park like Chessington or something but would they spend a week in Bournemouth or the Cotswolds or hiking in the Lake District etc?
No. Because to them that's not a "real" holiday.

I don't know anyone like this. The only people I knew who never went on holiday were my grandparents

We went to Bali recently, it was full of stunning temples, festivals, daily rituals etc

We were lucky enough to be there for Nyepi, the silent day. The country falls silent, no TVbroadcasts, no going outside, no light, airport closes etc then in contrast street parties, huge monster like statues are erected everywhere, we were over the moon to see it all.

We have seen fabulous Indian weddings, spoke to so many different people. My son is quiet shy but he seems to come alive when he is away.
A few weeks ago we were in Thailand, he was playing cards with a couple of Thai guys and a proper cockney bloke in a little bar in the moutains, it was fabulous.
There was fire shows for Halloween, boat trips with snorkeling etc

We have been to Mexico for day of the dead festivals. We fill our holidays with so many activities, seeing wildlife, interacting with so many people.

I think the bog standard tourist holiday doesn't get you a lot of culture (but it is still a lovely time away) but I certainly make it a priority to see the world and experience everything we can.

I live in Wales and am always astonished by the amount of people (adults and children) who've never been to London for example.

I've never taken my children on holiday. I didn't want to listen to them bicker and just have to be a parent in a different place.

Plus just to make parenting in a different place even worse the kids get to stay up even later than usual unless you put them to bed and end up stuck in your hotel room.

So yeah, sounds great.

I don’t know anyone who hasn’t travelled with their kids. My son went to Spain at a few weeks. Australia for a month when my kids were 20 months and three years (only opportunity- we would have I referred to wait until they were a bit older). My duster has a profoundly autistic DD who has health issues and even they have been to Mexico three times, Spain three times, England twice.
But there’s plenty of places to go and explore within the UK that are doable by a train or car. We’ve been to the inner Hebrides, Falmouth, York, Glasgow and Isle of Wight among other places.

The first time we went on a package holiday as a family, what really got me was the number of people on the same trip who had actually left their kids behind in the UK.

Admittedly this was term time (DC1 was only 16 months) but we counted at least three other couples on the plane and a further four in the resort who had done this. Ever since, I've figured there are a lot of Brits who don't actually like their own kids.

I’ve honestly never come across it, that’s very sad.
I know lots of families that don’t go on holidays or visit many interesting local places except the local shops. They seem quite affluent but of course it’s impossible to know if money is the reason why.

I have 4 kids. I haven't found a holiday that doesnt cost 3-4 grand. I just don't have that kind of money.
I went on one caravan holiday As a chils

Absolutely agree with this.
And as for escaping to warmer weather, we had a pretty record breaking summer here this year (tho maybe people are talking about winter sun hols?)

Genuine question, what culture do you actually learn about from travelling?

Don't have kids but my DH is autistic and absolutely hates flying and being in unfamiliar places. We got the train from Berlin to Amsterdam last year which was lovely so we could recreate our honeymoon, but flying to Berlin where his brother was living was so hard. He had a panic attack while we were out sightseeing so we spent most of Berlin in the hotel watching Succession (which is very good). We do plan to visit Japan, as it's a dream destination for us both, but the flying is a major issue for him.

I always imagined travelling more, but I would want DH there and for him to enjoy it too. Also we miss our cat! Instead, we want to see more of the UK by train or ferry. There's so much I haven't seen here and we love hiking and history. I'm sure Japan won't be the only trip, but I hate hot weather so the idea of an annual holiday to Spain or similar isn't appealing to me.

Maybe they're just alarmed at your astronomical carbon footprint

Maybe they don’t want to and it’s not a priority for them. Things that seem utterly key for you and your family can just be less important to others.
Why don’t your children do ice skating lessons?
Why don’t your children learn a musical instrument?

Etc. People make different choices about how to spend their time and money.

Have you tried travelling with someone with complex disabilities? When we go away I pack one case for me but my little boy's equipment takes up half the van. Add into the mix the fact that he is unable to sit unsupported and needs a change of position every two hours to prevent skin breakdown and pressure areas. Then we need level access, hoists, a profiling bed, access to a good hospital, a shower room that can take a trolley because he can't sit on a shower chair. I need to take all his feeds because he's on prescription milk via a feed pump.

I don't know how the language barrier would work if he were taken ill abroad and seeing as he's had several sepsis' it is likely that he could end up in hospital. If we were delayed how do I feed him without his milk.

We do go away but not abroad. Just the whole lack of suitable accommodation that is reasonably priced is a barrier before we even get on to the other hurdles in our way.

Seriously.... it's a thing.
Children taken on holiday abroad but barely leave their home town/city any other time.

That's not offsetting carbon, that's making your life easier and saying you're doing your bit.

I’ve never come across this.

I’ve taken my DC to 45 countries (including the UK extensively) and they have loved visiting many wonders of the world. I started taking my DC abroad when they were 10 weeks old and never had a bad trip. I didn’t take them long haul until my youngest started school and then gradually got more and more ambitious. Our most recent big trip was to China which was my joint favourite holiday ever and my DC’s favourite destination so far.

@Micnerhss do you also take your children to big UK based events like Comic Con?
My daughter gets plenty of culture just by going to events like that (and it cost £££).

As the parent of an ASD child who's a reasonable traveller and therefore able to holiday often, having autism absolutely does stop some people from travelling and you sound like a tit here.