Does anyone actually enjoy family holidays?!

[weekfour]

You can probably guess, but I'm currently on holiday with 3DC (aged 1, 3 and 6), DH and my parents. It's fucking hard work and I feel like I'm spinning bloody plates trying to keep everyone smiling.

I'm too hot. DC are too hot. There's too much traffic. Everything is expensive (I've got enough money but resent being ripped off). No one will sleep at the same time so I'm feeling the need to burn the candle at both ends. I just want to be at home, where I know where everything is and I don't have to police a fucking swimming pool.

There we go. I feel better already.

Apologies if I don't reply. The air on keeps knocking off the circuit board in our 'luxury' villa which takes the WiFi with it. Or somebody wants something. Again.

These sort of ‘holidays’ only work if someone, ( the mother) spends the whole time keeping everyone happy without any of the usual tools.

Have been on family holidays with my parents and in laws (different holidays!)
Before we booked it we we made it quite clear that as in pp the following day would be organised the night before and we'd meet at x time. It worked well, but we both have very hands on and active parents!
still needed our own appartments so we could all have time on our own each evening.

Yes but we don't do anything more exotic than a UK caravan park... I find travel very stressful, DH and 2 of the dc hate hot weather, one of the dc has behavioural and MH issues and the mere thought of him kicking off in an airport/on a plane/ abroad makes me anxious...

I do relax during holidays though, it's a holiday from work and normal life, even if it's not a holiday from being a parent.

These sort of ‘holidays’ only work if someone, ( the mother) spends the whole time keeping everyone happy without any of the usual tools

I (luckily) don’t find this at all. DH more than pulls his weight on holiday (he works long hours and I’m a SAHM so he sees it as an opportunity for him to spend quality time with the DC while I get a break from them). We usually go with my mum or the IL’s. My mum is more than happy to babysit so we can go out in the evening, the IL’s are less helpful and a bit more of a pain but they still take the pressure off with the DC and let us have some relaxation time.

I love them, however, we have a new addition to our family. My thoughts might change in few weeks

It gets better as they get older I think. It was nice this year as DH cooked with the boys all the time so a break for me. Could sit with a glass of wine and relax.

Yes cruises. They are great for any age. Food, entertainment, kids clubs, lots to do.
We've been on some good holidays with the in-laws where they have stayed at the same resort but different hotel to us. They like cheaper, quieter hotels we like hotels with waterslides/spas/watersports etc. Meet up most days for lunch/afternoon/at night and go on some trips together. Rest of the time relax/do stuff on our own.

Wales is fantastic with younger kids. Scotland is too.
Lake District’s probably a bit too close to home
Get a caravan or a cottage and a small fishing net - and No Parents!
Mine are 13&11 and it does get easier to be abroad at this age although the 13 pines for his mates from about day 10.
I loved it though I’ve read loads of books and not had to listen to any bickering about Fortnite.

We love our family holidays, but would never dream of taking our parents. I could not be bothered with faffing and pandering to what everyone else wants to do.

I love them, and always have done even when DD was small but I have one child. Its easier when you're only managing one child's needs in many ways, although obviously they don't have someone around their own age to play with when smaller.

Only did our main holiday in the UK once when DD was small - it rained more than half the ime. I vowed never again, and have always gone abroad for warmer, drier weather. So much harder entertaining children when its wet.

My parents do help, or they try. Prime example just now.. I sit next to pool holding baby. My mum come to relieve me of Baby (great) then plonks her on the floor and wanders off. Baby falls over and now has a red mark on her head. (she's fine).

And yes to being called 'stressy ' for thinking, planning or saying bloody anything!!

My parents are lovely and very hands on. I think they've just underestimated how difficult three children are when there not in my baby-proofed home.

It also helps that DH pulls his weight and is totally on full form on holiday, enjoying time with me and DD.

We have been away with family over the years, but it does change the dynamics. We've enjoyed it but you need a bit more give and take, make compromises - and everyone needs to do their bit. No excuses.

I live holidays but it's so much easier now they are all old enough not to need constant entertainment or supervision around a pool. They can do what they like and we can relax reading a book or sleeping by the pool, bliss! Some children do find holidays stressful with the changes it involves but it will get easier & more enjoyable when they grow up a little

We found holidays that did work when ds was tiny - they involved tents no more than two hours from home. Abroad was awful.

Every thread I’ve seen moaning about holidays this summer the OP has been away with parents, PIL, brothers and sisters IL etc etc. Why? Just go as your own family unit and it’ll be much nicer.

I love holidays, and in fact DP tends to take the lead with pretty much everything. Sorts car out, decides on activities, goes to the shop and all that.

There was definitely a window between having a baby and primary school age where holidays were particularly stressful. Babies are nice and portable so they’re easyish to take away. Once they’re primary school age they can stay up later and enjoy days out etc a bit more. But that window in between is awkward. They’re hard to entertain and really hate the heat etc. I think you’re doing very well to entertain three different ages, but maybe a less adventurous UK holiday next year?

I'm with Feral. The least relaxing holiday I've ever had was with my parents, DH and three children age 5, 4 and 3. And one car for all of us. My dad was a complete pain in the arse. It was my mum's cousin's villa and for some reason this meant DF took the keys with him when my parents went out a couple of evenings, but we were not allowed them when we went out Never again!

In contrast we've just come home from a week in a villa with our own pool, and all had a lovely time. IMO the key to making sure you have a good time is factoring in a period each day where one parent deals with the kids and the other has a bit of time to themselves.

Love them! 3 year old fine but was a load of crap with a 1 year old. I have a limit of 3+ but now really enjoy it. Wait a couple of years!!!

From about 5 onwards they were great but uk only. From about 7 or 8 abroad was fine.

We went abroad once when DS was about 2 and everything about it was awful. The flights, the heat, the sand was too hot and pool too busy. We spent the whole time in the air conditioned hotel room being ripped off for room service warm milk. Horrendous.

Hard work all round.

18 of us in a rented cottage. Try making sandwiches for 18 people I. E. It takes ages.

Got to the beach this morning (half hour drive there, then setting up the frigging umbrellas, sun screen, hat, buckets etc etc) by 11am DD was a screaming wreck. I had to bring her back to the cottage to nap. Covered in sand, miserable, etc. And that was just me haha

anyone?

What Tom says is true. 4.5 year old is larving it

I do but only because we go to kid friendly places such as Martinhal and use kids clubs

Holidays only become bearable when the DC are too old to come along. I won’t holiday with anyone but my DH now. We have a wonderful time as we like the same things - and each other.

Agree with @FeralBeryl - North Wales is great for kids holidays

I enjoy them, but they are hard work. We have 4dc 13,7,4 and 3.
We are organised now as we've been away a lot with them. We know what works and what doesn't and although it's a bit boring at the moment we take our summer holiday in the same place. We try somewhere different in the May holiday but the summer is always the same area in Spain so we know where everything is, which restaurants are good and where they nearest supermarket is.
We are lucky that our kids nap in the afternoon, love staying up late and going to nice restaurants. It wasn't as easy when they were toddlers but they are much much easier now.