To ask for help with holiday planning?

It will, undoubtedly, be tiring and stressful for you but in your situation I think I would actually go for it, but do a lot of planning beforehand to try to make things easier. I wouldn't take the children out of school, so would probably choose early in your school holidays (before schools in other areas are on holiday so it should be cheaper and less busy). Having been on more than my fair share of cheap UK caravan holidays when our DC were small my tips would be:

• DD15 and baby would be best in the living room- travel cot will probably not fit in a bedroom and it's probably less disruptive for others if baby wakes in the night (and she can walk around/get a drink etc easily if she has a baby awake in the night- voice of experience!)
• Hope to have days at the beach etc if the weather is good but pre-plan a bad weather itinerary, finding out about cheaper options in the area (even if it means a bit of a drive) so you don't end up paying £££ for things no one really enjoys in desperation on a rainy day.
• Plan easy food- there is very little room to cook. We used to take a pre-cooked and frozen meal for the first evening (eg bolognaise etc) then do a supermarket shop the following day for easy to warm up food. Check the cooking equipment before you shop.
• Assuming budget is tight, plan spending before you go, especially eating out. Otherwise it's really easy to thing 'we're on holiday' and spend on silly things on a whim. Plus it's easier to say 'no' to the older children if it's 'not this time but remember we're having X tomorrow'.

Enjoy the chaos.

Youre a better person than I am.

I'd have to have a vodka infusion directly into my veins to make it even tolerable.

Oh I love a caravan holiday and I have 5 kids. Dd 15, ds 8, ds 6, ds 3, and dd 8 months. We've booked skegness this year.

I deffo think its lovely but dd and baby may be better in lounge the travel cots dont really fit in the bedroom.
Id go in the summer when its less likely to rain. Also before baby can crawl and they'll be in everything otherwise

Please do book it and enjoy the chaos it'll bring.

I think you need to wait and see how your 15 yo parents her baby. If it is going to end up that it’s you doing most of the caring for the baby, then it’s going to be impossible for you to holiday all together. Too many in a small caravan, you trying to mind your own three young children, as well as baby grandson and then your two teens. How could you bring your younger children children swimming if you’ve a small baby to care of?

The reality here is that if you want your younger children to have an enjoyable time, your 15 yo and her baby should stay home, maybe with her boyfriend’s family?

There is no legal limit for when you can leave them alone. Clearly this is complicated by the fact she is now a mum. Can’t your ex look out for her. You have said she has had family holidays in the past, now its the others turn. You can take her and baby next time.

Honestly I think thats the only way you will make a 3 bed caravan work.

Where’s her dad? Grandparents?

Sounds a bit hectic.

Your 2yo will have to stay up last if they're sleeping in the living room. Surely they're the one in need of the routine and early bedtime?
You'll have crap sleep on the crappy soft bed/ everyone might if the baby is having a rough night.
Will the rooms even take a travel cot for the baby?
Does your car even fit 4 car seats in it? I thought max was 3 isofix.

I'd leave DD and baby behind and give your kids a holiday, she might actually appreciate some time at home just her and the baby.

If you have to then I'd definitely go before baby is 6 months as weaning/highchair in caravan sounds cramped.

Surely if she was mature enough to have a baby then she's capable of staying home with said baby?

Your other children deserve to enjoy their childhood and unfortunately the holiday will revolve around the newborn which isn't really fair.

Go the first week of Leicester holidays, it’s always cheaper than the main holidays. If your dd is back at school she can’t then be missing for a holiday. It’s probably better to book somewhere that includes some entertainment for the younger ones, arcades would get incredibly expensive. 4 bed caravans do exist if you can run to it.

I went to a haven caravan with my DP , DD and 3 GD….so 6 of us in a 3 bed caravan ….advertised as suitable for up to 8….I won’t lie it was grim….no space….all on top of each other …it was first week in June…it rained for 3 of the 4 full days….it was cold ….the shower was small….the caravan was cold….we spent a fortune ….the entertainment was shite…..Ithe pool was freezing….I wouldn’t ever do it again….we had more fun going camping last year….far more comfortable and pleasant surroundings and better shower facilities….it helped that the sun shone though!

I’d leave your DD and her baby at home. It will be no fun in a caravan with that number and a baby.

Go for it. Not sure why everyone is being so negative. I took mine on caravan breaks when they were younger and we always had fun.

can you and your ex divide and conquer? Let him take DD15 with baby, plus the 2 year old, on holiday somewhere.

Then take the 12, 5, and 4 year old to the caravan. Get a 2 bed plus sofabed. You will be allowed to supervise the 2 youngest in the pool and the 12 year old will likely be allowed in without supervision (do double check the rules though).
12 year old will probably make friends and go out to spend time with them, leaving you free to look after the 2 youngest.

Allow PLENTY of spending money - and budget carefully:
-activity passes
-arcade
-sweets and ice creams
-any additional paid for acitivities
-buying food at the on-site shop is extortionate if you forget to bring something from home
-an over-priced meal out on site

Good luck!

I would take your three youngest to a caravan from a Monday to Friday. Leave the others with your ex.

I'd go in July/August to give you the best chance of good weather.

There are 4 of us and we book a 3 bed caravan as my sons can't share a room, and we still find it incredibly cramped. If possible, I would upgrade the caravan as much as you can to give you more space, especially as the baby may need a lot of stuff (pushchair, high chair, etc). The dining area is typically very small as well.

With regards to DD sharing with DGS, keep in mind that a travel cot will probably not fit in the bedroom.

The sofa beds in the living area tend to be quite uncomfortable, and whoever sleeps there will also need to be ok with being the last to go to bed and the first to wake up.

I would definitely get entertainment passes etc to ensure you can use all the facilities at the resort. With that many kids, it may be tricky to go out every day, as well as expensive.

Also recommend staying in a resort within walking distance of the beach.

I love a caravan holiday but that sounds like hell. It's not just the sleeping arrangements, you'll all be on top of each other.

What do I suggest? I suggest you skip it this year, save the money you would have spent and put it towards some bigger accommodation next year.

How much is it going to take to keep 5 kids entertained in an arcade when its peeing it down?

My son wen through £5 in about 5 mins!

So?

Check the adult to kid ratio in the pool. You might not all be able to get in. And that would be annoying

What is your transport OP? Can you get everyone there and back easily?
I'd book a trip that is not in term time, to avoid potential fine dramas.

You'll not be able to use the pool together I expect but you can do the arcades and go to the beach. Eat fish and chips and icecream.

I’d not venture too far, you only need to get away from your own kitchen sink to feel like you’re on holiday.

Research the prices for all the different dates and go for it!