To not have attempted to go abroad yet

We used to mainly get the ferry to France. That way the car could be loaded up with everything we wanted, book a gite so there's still plenty of space. Go on days out, go to beach, eat french food, drink wine. Space to relax in the evening. Somewhat better weather than the UK. It was a lot easier because we were within a couple of hours drive of the cross channel ports though - if we had been hours and hours away I'm sure it would have been a different story.

We took our 3 from age 3 months. Breastfeeding so easier to travel. But it's far easier than a holiday at home: in my case Ireland. There is nothing as nice as seeing tiny tots running into a warm sea and being able to come out and not shiver until they are well wrapped up again. They loved the lrish sea but it's bloody freezing. We absolutely loved our holidays: two weeks every year in warm..not scorching hot climates. Longest flight was to US to visit family which was actually fine. We never did city breaks until they were older and interested in their surroundings.

I would say you would be surprised how easy it is as everything is so relaxed. Just go!

We like CP for an occasional weekend, never been for a week.

The swimming pool is totally different to anything available in a typical city. My kids can spend hours and hours on the rapids, lazy river, slides etc.

They also like trying out different activities - archery, falconry etc.

The countryside setting is nice but not really the point.

It is expensive but we always come away feeling refreshed and happy

I flew to Australia with my then 16 months old many years ago. We had no problems with flights or being there and both really enjoyed it.
We did regular flights to Europe on holiday before he was 5 and also Canada as I have family there.

I went with my 15 month grandson and his family to Thailand last year. We all enjoyed it.

As others have said it depends on your kids. I had one that was easy and could go anywhere and do anything, and one who needed watching like a hawk, had constant temper tantrums wherever they couldn’t do something they wanted to eg licking all the bread on display in the supermarket, never settled in a different bed, fractious at a different routine, refused unfamiliar foods etc etc. it really didn’t make for a good holiday. Once they were both over 7, holidays have been great, and they can both remember them!

To be honest, while I’ve never been, I find CP mesmerisingly expensive and deeply puzzling. I could absolutely understand its appeal to people who live in a very built up inner city, but when we lived in a village in the midlands, all the elements (woods with walking and bike paths, lovely countryside, swimming pool etc) were all freely available locally, and yet local people still paid vast amounts of money to stay at CP.

Its often cheaper to go abroad.

We are going to France, accommodation travelling in le shuttle, fuels and tolls....it's still cheaper than just accommodation in the UK.

We took DD to places like an all inclusive at 3-5. Was very easy. Spent days by the pool, on the beach. Didn't have to think about food.

Worked out nicely.

Now she's 6 weeks can do things like city breaks etc

Well, I only have one, and DH and I would have been going anyway. Usually staying with friends, or in their houses, so just (cheap) flights and food.

I've always enjoyed it but we go to Euope and stay with relatives or self catering.

Rome I thought was a bit too hot for DS2 (4 at the time) but he keeps asking to go back.

We took ours aboard from when the youngest was 6 months. His first flight was a 10 hour one. We did at least one long haul trip a year with them.

We never found it difficult, quite the opposite.

I think it depends on your children. I often see people on here saying how much they are having a terrible or exhausting holiday with children.

Our three were taken on holidays from being babies a couple of times a year and were always brilliant travelling and when away, as they were used to it from a young age.

It’s not necessarily expensive.

Same. Just organise things largely like your home routine and enjoy the change of scene.

Is this a weird rich person problem where it’s meant to be obligatory to take children abroad? 🤔

I don't understand center parcs. I’ve looked at going before and it was just over 2k so a similar price to what we paid for our all inclusive last year except no food is included at CP obviously and then they also expect you pay for most activities on top! Just seems overpriced for what is effectively a middle class version of Butlins.

For boring reasons we did centre parks witha 1 and 3 yo then did an all inc 5 star resort 3 weeks later.

I thought centre parks was a holiday but the All inc changed my mind.

I won't be doing centre parks for a loooooning time.

2 x more all inclusives booked this year.
I never understood who AI was for.... its for tired parents who dont want to think!!!!

I do feel you on the SSDD thing though. I quite selective and its short haul allllll the way

I do not understand this mentality. It depends on the child / children.

DS travelled a lot after 12 months and before the age of five because it was easy! We just plonked him in a backpack and carried him if he got tired.

We also took things to amuse him and engaged with him. We liked spending the time with him. He got used to traveling so it's never been a problem - for me that's part of why he travels well - it was normal. It was also cheaper.

You eat out at lunch (which is cheaper) and then either at hotel or self catering dinner as the evening is when you have meltdowns. Work out any other pinch points. Temper expectations from the start to stop them getting too wound up. Give five minute warnings that you will be moving on from an activity so they understand transition time.

If you have been away in the UK, it's really not any different.

i think it really depends on how used to travelling your kids are. My parents took us abroad from 6 months old, so it was fine

Well you’re not being unreasonable because if the idea of it would stress you out then it probably wouldn’t be fun. But I’ve always taken mine abroad since young babies and had a great time. In fact the worst holiday I ever had when they were little was to Cornwall. It took about 6 hours to get there - could have flown somewhere quicker - and they grizzled in the car, then it rained for 3/4 of the holiday and we couldn’t really do anything so they were trapped inside. And it was expensive! Always had a far better time overseas

No, we didn’t take our dc abroad at that age either. What’s the point? Much easier to have a break in the UK that they enjoy: familiar food, not too hot, what they can drink, no travel delays, loads to do….

I love to travel and so do my children. Lived abroad when they were small so flying long haul / being in different environments was normal for them. Some of our best memories are from holidays. Enjoy UK holidays too but weather can be hit & miss…