Top tips for hols with toddler

[Rainatnight]

We're going on our first holiday abroad with DD, 2. Campsite in France, but staying in a chalet, not tent.

I'd love your top tips for helping it all go well. What should I buy/bring? Any tips for organising the day to maximise enjoyment and relaxation?

I'm realistic about what a holiday with a toddler will be like But we're having a tough year in some respects and would like it to go well.

Thanks.

Accept that a holiday with a small child(ren) is just doing the same stuff somewhere else - especially if you have to do the catering.

Think of packing some of their favourite books/toys. Plan simple/quick meals and remember that it gets easier

Don't forget swim stuff, swim nappies, Calpol, nappy cream, anti septic cream, olbas or whatever as they or you will invariably need something in the middle of the night. Scope out in advance what you have in the chalet or on site e.g. regards to washing facilities etc.

Hope you have a great holiday.

Get a travel blackout blind.
Take their normal bedding - smells of home
If youre going to tje beach take talc to dry off with. The sand just falls off.
Blue health card.

Ha ha, I like the 'it gets easier' tip!

Own bedding is a great idea. We just got DD a little duvet and pillow and she is obsessed with it.

Bumping for the early morning, CBeebies watching crew

My DS had just stopped afternoon naps before we went on holiday but we found that he needed them again when we were on holiday. I think it was because all of the fresh sea air and exercise and being in a busy new environment. Having afternoon naps meant that he could stay up later when we ate out. One day we skipped a nap and regretted it when he was having a paddy in the restaurant at 7:30pm! We bought him a little cheap pop up tent so that he could nap in the shade whilst we were on the beach.

Take a small portable DVD player and get whatever his favourite shows are on dvd ie . Peppa Pig
It’s great for rest time and you don’t need WiFi
Keep it In hand luggage with euro adapter plug for airport delays

Thanks very much.

RiceKrispie I've been praying for the naps to last till the holiday and it looks like we're doing ok! Did your DS just sleep in the buggy at night when you were out and then you transferred him to bed?

He never liked sleeping in the buggy so he'd stay awake but get grumpier and grumpier. That's why the afternoon naps were so important. We'd try to eat out early so we'd be back for a decent bed time, but the French always eat so much later and we were sometimes almost the only ones in the restaurant!