Why don't people take their kids on holiday?

Ah, but are you DIM?!

That’s not particularly insular though. Most people have been abroad. I’m not sure I know anyone who hasn’t been abroad. I’m aware that some people haven’t, but it doesn’t make me insular just because I don’t know anyone who hasn’t.

You could do both.

Not friends but I have a few work colleagues who are like this and were amazed we took our children away as babies.

I think from speaking to them they have a concept of what a holiday should be and the logistics plus taking kids away is very different and they don't see it as a holiday so don't do it.

Holiday with children is very different but is still fun! Mine absolutely love camping and always ask when we are going next. We tend to do 4 day trips as found that's the optimum.

"Maybe we just have different tolerant levels for stress or maybe I just plan better for my ASD Child.."

Come back and tell us what an expert you are when your child is an adult.

We could travel abroad now because mine is now in supported living but I just not interested. I did some travelling in my 20s but it doesn't have the appeal now.

This is so true. I grew up in a very rural area and found it suffocating couldn’t wait to leave. After living all over the world I have returned home due to a set of circumstances. I can’t believe my arrogance now. Some of the people here who have gone precisely nowhere are some of the wisest and most content people I have ever known.

I don’t know anyone that’s not been abroad.

Time and time again it surprises me on MN, why people advertise how insular the circle of people they ever meet or talk to, is.

The 11-15 age group travel prices/cards is confusing and baffling for actual born and bred Londoners 😂

Because not everyone does the same thing and not everyone likes holidays even children it cant be that hard to work out that people have their own reasons that no else has to understand

Yes we holiday but I dont wonder why people dont do the same as us

Im surrounded by farms..... theres a thing called farm hands that come in to allow breaks for farmers and their families yknow.

And regardless its a generational farm..... so theres always folk on hand, but the current generation are always away on mini breaks.

Actually it's a royal pain to travel with a young person aged 11-15 around London. You have to apply for a Zip Oyster before you go. At least it was a few years ago, maybe you can get the card immediately online now.

Most cities allow youths to travel cheaply with a form of ID.
I am not dim, but don't tend to plan a day out in London with my kids weeks in advance.

They don't want to.

They are environmentally conscious.

They don't think things further away are necessarily better than things that are close so instead use their time on more nearby things..

They don't sleep well in strange places.

They don't poop well in strange places.

They want to spend the money on other things like fancy cars.

They have kids in dance/horseback riding/hockey.

They have special expenses like a parent they support or a medical condition that is expensive to deal with.

Can you give me some tips op please?

My 5 year old is good on transport but so far hates swimming. And also has meltdowns generally.

My 2 year old doesn’t sit still and doesn’t sleep.

Any tips for me managing these 2 on a holiday abroad?

You know actual farmers really struggle to leave the farm. There is jobs 24/7. You can’t easily leave livestock ( think of the huge industry around dog sitting and then imagine 200 cows). Those tractor protests have come at a huge cost to the drivers.

Same. My whole life used
to be travel.
Not how
I expected life with kids to be.
Also it’s priorities l.

What a grown up response.

I’ve seen several threads where theOP has said they don’t enjoy holidays with children. Reasons given vary. Self catering holidays are the same work in a different, less well equipped kitchen. Young children are unsettled by the change of routine and become more hardwork. Ditto for over excited. Teenagers continue being non communicative, even wanting to remain in their room. It feels the family are corralled together with no outlets like regular clubs, school, work, the gym and that can get stifling.

All that and having to pay a cart load of money for it. I can see why many opt out

We tried it, didn't enjoy it with young kids so knocked it on the head for a few years and will start again soon. We have been camping and to Disneyland Paris in the interim 6 years though.

I just don't enjoy holidays with toddlers.

Also some people are just happy with a simple life. Some of the happiest people I know never go anywhere and have rich inner lives.

We can't afford to go abroad but even if we could I don't think we would at the moment with such young children. I'm surrounded by families who do and lots of them just seem to complain about how awful and difficult x y z part of it was and it's just put me right off. I'd definitely want to take them abroad as they get older though if we could afford it but I can't see that happening sadly. It's the outside of term time prices we just can't afford. We always do at least one small UK break a year though and always enjoy that.

I think we are all different. I’ve enjoyed holidays and travelling but never quite with the same level of enthusiasm some of my friends had. My best friend lives for travelling and holidays and had taken her 9 month old on 5 holidays already since he was born. However, she has deliberately chosen a cheap house in a fairly crap location so she could continue to prioritise these experiences. I’m the complete opposite and would rather spend my money on my home where I spend the majority of my time.

I think a lot is to do with personalities because I’ve been away a few times with my travel mad friend and she absolutely raves about some of the places we’ve been to and I have no idea why!

Well obviously travelling is your thing and you want to expose your kids to it. But another person might prioritise spending their time and money on something else. Like hobbies or culture. They might say that they don’t understand why people don’t introduce their children to the joys of artistic performance or museums or whatever.

Having said that, I don’t know a single family who never ever goes on holiday. Even my poorest friends will occasionally do a week in a caravan.

Everyone i know takes their kids on holiday. You have an unusual circle.