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Does anyone actually enjoy family holidays?!

129 replies

weekfour · 16/08/2018 17:29

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.

OP posts:
GrumpyMummy123 · 17/08/2018 20:58

I think to have a good holiday you have to throw the idea of what you 'should' do on holiday out the window. At the very early planning stage consider what you want out of it and how you're going to achieve it. You don't have to stay in a hotel next the beach etc.

We like a bit of exploring the area, sun, swimming, chilling/ reading and a few drinks in the evening.

Like to take life slowly everything at our own pace. We like long lie ins & DS is a pretty good sleeper, but does need early nights. Spending half the morning sitting in bed drinking tea and reading is bliss.

We have one DS 4. He doesn't like sand or sitting in restaurants. Loves swimming and playing with other kids. Is very happy playing on his ipad or with lego etc his own for an hour or so.

So we go self catering in a mobile home, with a big pool complex, kids club. We eat lots of bread, cheese & olives type meals. Or cook a pizza or other simple stuff. We had a gas BBQ this year was was brilliant so ate lots of sausages! We're not big foodies and keep food simple. Rocky beaches nearby are perfect. Might pop to a bar for a cocktail in the evening or occasional meal out. But mostly happy sitting outside on veranda drinking wine, playing card or board games and reading while DS is asleep in bed.

The idea of all sharing a room would be no fun for us! Neither would I be prepared to sleep on a sofa bed in the lounge. Need our own bedrooms so at least a 2 bedroom place and some space like a lounge and veranda to be able to sit and chat in the evening without worrying about disturbing DS. Which pretty much rules out hotels as suiting us!

Having to get dressed and go downstairs and sit in a restaurant together for every meal doesn't sound like any fun. Grabbing a bowl of cereal whenever fancy in the morning is fine. Then DS usually eats dinner at about 5 whereas we prefer to eat about 8. Eating together can be pretty stressful if we're all hot and tired. I'd much rather chuck some fish fingers in the oven or do some pesto pasta and wash up a couple of plates than drag the boy to a restaurant when he'd rather go to bed. It's fine a couple of times a week, but 3 times a day no thanks!

I'd certainly need a way to make a cuppa to drink in bed in the morning and a fridge to keep my wine and bars of chocolate cold so a kitchen is essential.

We all have to comprise in some ways, I think it's just about finding what works for you to get what you want out the holiday without the stress!

Aqua25 · 18/08/2018 00:09

Love family holidays, my dc is almost 3 and had 5 holidays, i thought the flights would be difficult but ahe really well behaved and slept throughout most of them. As hubby works long hours holidays are my time for me as im a sahm so always with her. Its father daughter bonding time. When we get back is the issue as she whinges for daddy and i have try and get some control back asap otherwise it's 'no' to everything which is a struggle

Longdistance · 18/08/2018 00:21

You are doing it all wrong. 4 adults 3 kids. Easy, throw 3 kids at other 3 adults direction, and walk off and have a day to yourself by the pool sipping cocktails.

We’ve taken Dds on holidays abroad since the day dot. Both would have arm bands/rubber ring or seat. In the pool, taking it in turns. There’s enough adults around in your group 🤷🏼‍♀️

Seniorschoolmum · 18/08/2018 03:24

“Don’t negotiate with the under 12s or the over 65s” Grin. Grin. Grin

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