To not have attempted to go abroad yet

My two were 5 and 7 the first time we took them abroad. We did a week in an all inclusive and they were happy as larry with the pool and the entertainment.

I think it depends on the children. Took our daughter from 9 months. Then had our son too and never any issues. However I think my nephews are another story and they find taking them quite stressful.

It’s obviously not the same as having a relaxing child free break, but we still enjoyed holidays abroad with the kids when they were little.

Playing on the beach and in the pool, warm sunshine, afternoon naps, all meals included, no housework. It’s not really the same as being at home is it? They used to love the mini disco in the evening then we would sit on our balcony and have a beer/play cards once they’d gone to bed. Lovely memories 🥰

3 kids, each had their first holiday abroad between 6 and 7 months old. We go abroad at least a couple of times a year. The kids love it, I love it! But...each to their own!

If you go expecting it to be the idyllic couples holiday you used to enjoy pre kids - endless hours lazing in the sun, reading books and doing not a lot - you are going to be so disappointed.

but if you go expecting to play with them and knowing they will get grumpy and overtired at times, that the alcohol will not be as freely flowing but that you will be spending time messing about together - you will be fine.

Always taken my child long haul since the age of 8 months. She’s been to Thailand x 4 , Bali, Singapore, loads of European countries. I actually find long haul flights easier as there’s more room and things to entertain them as well as the mood lighting, food etc. the worst flight we ever had was to Tenerife at the age of 16 months on Ryanair due to her not having her own seat and refusing to sit on our lap as she wanted to run everywhere. that was a lesson learnt- always get them their own seat.
We did a solo trip to Thailand, just my DD & I when she was 7yrs- 3 flights, 24 hrs of travelling and she was a dream.
Bali we did there and back in less than a week due to Covid cutting our holiday short and again she smashed it. It was all an adventure.
Defo take them! I always say get them used to it while they’re young.

We've had brilliant holidays with DD and she is well travelled. However we only have the one. I'm not sure it would be so good if we had more children

Going abroad with 2 kids was a fucking nightmare for me till they were 6 & 3. After that it was still hard, but somewhat more enjoyable. The trip we did when they were 4 and 1.5 was HELL.

I think you should do whatever you feel like doing!

A UK break with young children can be really lovely, and there’s no need to go abroad to have a nice time

Equally it’s perfectly reasonable to take them abroad and won’t necessarily be harder work than a Uk break. An AI hotel for example can be relatively stress free as you don’t have to worry about food!

We took 2 under 5s camping in the Netherlands, holiday cottage in Denmark, caravans in Spain and Italy and a holiday park in Belgium. Their joy and enthusiasm made up for tricky bits.

My first 2 kids were fairly high maintenance but they always loved holidays and new experiences. It was fun finding things to do together. I loved seeing the world through their eyes.

We took DD abroad from 4 months and have done so regularly since.

But I think it depends on how good your husband is - 4 months post partum I was swinging on a hammock, with a coconut in one hand, a trashy book in the other, overlooking some cliffs and ocean in Thailand - and loving life! We swapped so he could have some downtime.

Since she started toddling it is really nice doing things like walking along the beach or chilling in a nice town square of an evening and just enjoying the vibe.

Ok, we aren't sunbathing all day or getting wasted. But I never loved that kind of holiday anyway.

@Zov - we cross posted! You don't need to apologise, I was merely being ironic (bearing in mind the meaning of the acronym).

Might name change to "sideorderofsarcasm" :-)

I wasn't being sarcastic - it has been answered more than once on the thread. You didn't need me to explain it, you could have just read the explanation already given more than once

Yeah, I was only joking.

@FedBeGone I wasn't offended or bothered. I've read through the thread now - and can see 2 or 3 people have already asked sorry. 😘

@eatery I don't blame you for not wanting to go somewhere as it will be SSDL!

As is being discussed on a couple of other threads right now, women do generally tend to end up doing most of the wifework and childcare no matter what, and no matter where they are!

Personally I agree with you, but that is because simply I don't see the point. Parts of it probably would be enjoyable but parts will be stressful, depending on the children in question of course. DS is 7 and I'm hoping to take him abroad for the first time this year. He's had many UK holidays of various types and I honestly don't think up to this age he would've got any more out of holidays abroad than UK. I've been abroad a few times since he was born but money is tight and trips are always done on a shoestring, not always appropriate for a child.

Thank you for explaining.

I could have done without the side order of sarcasm though.

You can have a holiday cottage anywhere! There are homes for rent in Spain, France, Italy, Greece, you name it. You don't have to stay in a hotel or a caravan. You need to get passports and the travel may be longer, that's all.

We have some lovely pictures from what was essentially the holiday from hell.

Same shit, different location.

It has been clarified more than once on the thread.

Same explanation, different poster