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Original poster

When you book a family holiday, do you consult your children?

81 replies

amaryl · 20/02/2020 08:52

Do they have any input? Do you sit down with the brochure and go through it with them?
Currently in Tenerife and I think ds (12) would rather be at home. I booked it because I couldn’t bear a week at home doing nothing

OP posts:
Gazelda · 20/02/2020 08:55

I consult about where we go. I give them a shortlist of places I think we'd all like and then we all share opinions.

Original poster
amaryl · 20/02/2020 08:55

Oh, and any tips what to do in playa de las Americas?

OP posts:
DaphneFanshaw · 20/02/2020 08:56

To some extent yes.
Often we have asked them to have a look at hotels / areas and asked for their opinions, they know that they might not get their way though as quite often we all have different ideas of what a perfect holiday is. They know we try and compromise though.
Other times we have seen a good deal and booked it when they’ve been in bed and they’ve just seen it as a lovely surprise.
My dts are 9 though, so I suspect that has something to do with it.

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DaphneFanshaw · 20/02/2020 08:57

What sort of thing does he like doing ?

Pascha · 20/02/2020 08:57

Well mine are are younger so they haven't really had much to do with choosing where we go but I've always taken note of their interests and tailored the holidays to include something they like.

I think at 12 I would be running it by them though they wouldn't have a veto or the final say.

Beechview · 20/02/2020 09:04

it depends. I’ve not consulted on a main holiday but I did go through where I’ve booked to get them excited about it. We looked at the interesting stuff to see and do and they’ve had input there.
We also looked up greetings, please and thank you in the language and learnt them. I do try to get them to get the most out of it but usually, it’s my choice where we go.

Ds1 said he wanted to go to Rome. We did a short break there so he had input there.

Would your ds be interested in any excursions?

reluctantbrit · 20/02/2020 09:05

Yes, it is DD’s holiday as well.

Also, she is borderline ASD/ADD and needs to know where to go, where to stay and when. Surprises are a disaster.

DH and I normally research locations first, give DD a shortlist and then do the same with hotels/Appartements.

No way I would spend the whole Summer at home, we only go for a week as we are also away for May half term but a break from home is a must.

MimiLaRue · 20/02/2020 09:06

No. That said, I would only go to places that would have some interest for them. But in terms of actual choosing specifically no- I'm paying and I'm the adult so I choose where best suits the family as a whole.

ChicCroissant · 20/02/2020 09:07

Yes.

I don't think a holiday has to be planned to the last second either, but picking a holiday because you'd rather be away than at home doesn't sound like a recipe for success with children! We do look into what we can do before we go, so there is always something for our DD to look forward to in the day - there will be one place for her and one for us, for instance.

cece · 20/02/2020 09:10

I ask their opinions and then make the final decision. Although, I plan it so they are happy. Happy kids leads to happy mum.

This year I've booked an all inclusive with loads of water slides and activities to keep them happy and 7 bars to keep me happy.

BobbyBlueCat · 20/02/2020 09:11

No. They are the children. It's not debate club.

CherryPavlova · 20/02/2020 09:12

We always consulted and still do. It was our choice but we usually involved them. They were our priority and we wanted them to be excited. It was rarely full choice but discussion around which Centre Parcs or Neilsons resort etc.

The only time we didn’t was when we booked a boating holiday that was planned to be inordinately boring during the day to encourage revision prior to public exams. We did it with another family and had fun in the evenings after the work was done.

Now we say what our intentions are and they can come or not. If they come they get some say over which restaurants or activities. Just had a week away in UK. They spent time with us but also did their own things too. Taking miserable people isn’t ideal.

Original poster
amaryl · 20/02/2020 09:13

I spent hours researching for the best hotel facilities for him
But the water slides are too shallow and the kids club a bit young
We’ve done a few of the excursions on Tenerife, and he gets seasick on boat rides
Water sports and Siam park, but I have a really bad back, so can’t really join in.
I feel sorry for him sometimes being an only child

OP posts:
Booboostwo · 20/02/2020 09:14

Yes, of course. It would be kind of odd not to, especially with older children that can understand more. Of course they don't just get to pick what they want with no consideration for cost or the needs of everyone in the family but why shouldn't they get a say especially for a family holiday?

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 20/02/2020 09:14

Yes, everyone puts an option in and then we decide together. It’s everyones holiday so all should enjoy it not just the adults.

MarshaBradyo · 20/02/2020 09:14

Not really. I might show them to see if they like it but they don’t have strong feelings on one resort over another.

Except that the middle dc likes water sports a lot and all like a good pool so I take that into account.

Original poster
amaryl · 20/02/2020 09:15

His choice would have been skiing. Which is not my thing at all.

OP posts:
MarshaBradyo · 20/02/2020 09:16

And good food. So whilst I probably wouldn’t say x or y I’d make sure they’d have what they like to do too.

MarshaBradyo · 20/02/2020 09:17

Skiing is a big difference, I don’t think you have to pay to go skiing if you don’t enjoy it.

lilgreen · 20/02/2020 09:18

No we never did.

okiedokieme · 20/02/2020 09:19

Consulted - yes, listened to - not necessarily! Dd1 would never leave home and dd2 was obsessed with star ratings.

Starisnotanumber · 20/02/2020 09:53

PDLA regular here.
Would he like mini golf near safari centre.
Monkey Park or go-kart racing.
Viking ship to look for dolphin and whales i know you said he may be seasick but they dress up as vikings and play viking themed games so may distract him.
Star discovery tour to Mount tiede where guides explain the night sky.
Shopping trip to Santa Cruz by bus about 6 euro each way with tenmas card.
Plane spotting from beach near airport

ExpletiveDelighted · 20/02/2020 09:55

Yes, always have done since they were old enough to have an informed opinion. I want everyone to enjoy the holiday so their opinion matters. DH and I have the final say, and we always give them options which we are prepared to go with, we don't just say "where do you want to go".

peaceanddove · 20/02/2020 09:55

No, not really. Now they're teenagers we might listen to what they have to say but DH and I always have the final say. We do have friends who have heavily involved their children in holiday decisions since they were little. Actually letting an eight year old decide the hotel FFS.