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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:

EmmaStone · 20/02/2020 10:06

Not really, mine ar enow 14 & 12, and they just don't know enough about the world to have a significant input. Having said that, our holidays have become quite formulaic - we go to the US at Easter (we try to mix up to a certain extent what we do, and make sure there's something for everyone), and do a big group holiday in the summer in Europe (different locations, but tends to be France/Italy). I think teens are programmed to be a bit sullen on holiday TBH.

My eldest is really keen to go to Thailand, so that will be something we consider for the future - DH and I went before kids and loved it and commented on how great it would be to take kids there. But TBH, cost is an enormous factor (I've got a great system in place to make sure I'm getting excellent VFM on our US trips!).

We tend to self cater, and I'm quite particular about what I want in a property, so they don't really need any input.

The only place youngest wants to go is Center Parcs - we try to get there once a year for a weekend to keep him happy!

CeeceeBloomingdale · 20/02/2020 10:07

Now they are older they have input from the short list I make.

DimplesMcGee · 20/02/2020 10:09

DS is only 5 so no. On the other hand, we do make sure we’re going somewhere he’ll really enjoy.

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drivingtofrance · 20/02/2020 10:11

No.

Tenerife is amazing. PDLA isn't my favourite though.

Hire a car and go off exploring? Or take a coach trip and go up to Mount Teide. You can get the cable car up to (almost) the summit. It may have snow so wear socks and trainers plus a light jacket /sweater.

The local bus service is great. Cheap and covers much of the island. www.titsa.com/index.php/en/20-lineas-y-horarios

Also have a quick look on Trip Advisor forum page for Tenerife. You'll get loads more good ideas.

Mamimawr · 20/02/2020 10:12

No, we do plan holidays with them in mind but no we don't ask for their opinions.

SisterAgatha · 20/02/2020 10:16

Yes but we don’t go to places like Tenerife. This year it’s between France or Italy, or no holiday this year and San Fran next year. I pick the resort thoigh.

MozzchopsThirty · 20/02/2020 10:18

I do but it's just me & them so it's important that we all enjoy it (and they don't irritate me or each other)

Anjelika · 20/02/2020 10:25

DCs are 13 and 10 and we have never consulted them! We have one "big" holiday a year which is 2 weeks in the sun somewhere in the 6 weeks holiday. Costs an arm and a leg so DH and I choose then show them the lovely villa we are going to and all the stuff nearby they might like to see. Never even thought of consulting them! Teen would love to go to a number of places out of our comfort zone and budget but I tell him he's got that to look forward to when he goes on holiday with mates at a later age . Makes me laugh that he complains about "only" going to Europe. My family holidays at that age were to grandparents near the East Coast or Wales!

TheOrigBrave · 20/02/2020 10:26

Definitely.
I have a 20 and 10 yo (lone parent). I want us all to enjoy ourselves. Obviously with the large age gap it can be tricky to find something we all like. Since being a lone parent we have been to an apartment in Spain, which was essentially a beach, pool, lazy days break with some days of hopping in the hire car to explore castles and lovely villages.

We've also been on caravan holidays in the UK, the success of which is pretty much dependent on the weather.

Last year we went overland to Zagreb for a more city break. This was great for DS1 as he went off in the evenings making friends in the bars.

This year it's just me and DS2 and we are going to Germany to stay with old friends for a few days and then heading to Berlin.

Both boys, but especially my older son, have been very involved in the planning. I'm happy that he still wants to come on holiday with me, but also it's lovely for me to have another adult.

m0therofdragons · 20/02/2020 10:30

No. Last year we visited dB in Canada and decided on a road trip through the Rockies. Dc had no real concept as to what to expect so they wouldn't have chosen it. They loved it though. We choose holidays that offer experiences we want to expose dc to. Next summer we're going to Orlando but the following one will probably be a static caravan in France with a water park. We obviously take dc into account when booking but realistically, dh and I will choose where.

Mlou32 · 20/02/2020 10:31

OP there's always Loro Parque, a zoo, that's quite fun if that's your kind of thing.

Itsnotquiteright · 20/02/2020 10:36

@SisterAgatha wtf do you mean 'we don't go places like Tenerife'

I have always asked for the three most important things they would like in a holiday and then used this as well as my preference to choose a place we all like, this has changed as they have got older.

okiedokieme · 20/02/2020 10:42

@Itsnotquiteright

Tenerife I'm sure has nice bits but from what I've seen on tv and friends photos it's not my kind of place either - I hate the buffet, ai, fighting for sun beds at dawn type places with drunken Brits in the town centres. I admit that it snobby but I go on1-2 holidays a year and choose places I like, lots of hiking or castles or temples...

SisterAgatha · 20/02/2020 10:44

Tenerife is too hot. Too dry. We aren’t lay by the pool people.

SisterAgatha · 20/02/2020 10:44

We don’t rate all inclusive either. I like restaurants and local flavour.

ReginaGeorgeous · 20/02/2020 10:51

Well, I asked my four year old where she'd like to go on holiday this year and she replied with Guinea-Bissau. Needless to say we disregarded this suggestion and we're going to Menorca

My child is a smart arse

IamPickleRick · 20/02/2020 10:52

Mine always day Disneyland. Every single time.

LondonJax · 20/02/2020 11:01

Yes. I ask what sort of things he'd like to do on holiday. DH and I sort out what sort of holiday we want and we try to find something for everyone. That's what a holiday is about surely?

DS knows he won't be able to have everything, just as DH and I will have to compromise.

MumSlave1 · 20/02/2020 11:01

Yep, we have a big round table discussion. It's actually quite annoying and we never end up getting anything done!

TheTurnOfTheScrew · 20/02/2020 11:12

we all take it in turns to manage the wish list. So when it's one of the DC's turn, they don't get to pick the destination, but can say what's important - warm weather, a pool, a city break, certain activities - and then DH and I will try to sort something that works and is on budget. DC2 was asked last year, and wanted a classic Brits abroad beach and pool holiday, so we went for Spain. This year DC1 wanted to go somewhere culturally very different, with museums and sights to see, so we've planned to go to Asia.

Sometimes it's nice to do something that you might not have chosen for yourself. I was a little bit "meh" about having a beach holiday last year (First world problems, I know) as I prefer to be up and doing stuff, but actually it was the most relaxing holiday I've had in years.

Butterbeeeen · 20/02/2020 11:15

Yes we always consult the children. We went abroad a few years ago and DS hated every second of it. It was too hot for him and he spent the whole time hot and chewed. He is 10. Now we tend to holiday in this country doing something we all like to do as it’s not a holiday for him being made to be somewhere he is uncomfortable. There will be plenty time when he is older to sun my self abroad.

harrietthepie · 20/02/2020 11:18

Yes, our teenagers often suggest places and we've done it with great success

roseelizabeth · 20/02/2020 11:27

What about Loro Parque? It's a zoo on the island. A trip up the volcano is good too on the cable car but you will need to dress appropriately.

I've never consulted my two, it's my holiday too, but they've never had any complaints. My two don't however put themselves out there to make friends as they have each other. Therefore it's often down to me to make the first move. I get talking (small talk) to parents with children who look similar ages, and most of the time this works and the kids end up playing together. Could you perhaps try this?

Stompythedinosaur · 20/02/2020 12:10

We consult, but it isn't a free choice. Generally I say that do and I were thinking we could go to X and talk a bit about what's there, and see how it goes down. Then we might consult more about which part of the country or which activities we want to do.

KoalasandRabbit · 20/02/2020 12:19

Yes have always asked both mine and taken views into account, 13 and 14 now. It's really important to me everyone enjoys the holiday.

They obviously don't always understand the difference between countries but can say things like wildlife, rainforest, skiing, swimming, waterpark and DS always has a strong preference for AI (he's ASD). Both have a strong preference for WIFI. I also take into account what they've enjoyed in the past. It's then a balance of what the 4 of us prefer though find holidays a lot easier when kids are happy so make sure there's activities for them everywhere.

My parents never gave me any choice at all and also budget was tight for them. It does need to be in summer holidays for main holiday.

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