Splitting cost of holiday

[CornishTiger]

I mentioned to a friend that I was thinking of going somewhere for a caravan holiday. I was going to have to have 3 Bedrooms due to how the children sleep/sex of them.

However my friend suggested she also comes- fab. Adult company - her daughter is a nice child and will be company for my youngest.

Going to try and get my youngest in with my eldest and I’ll share with my other child.

She will share with her child in twin or have sofa bed in lounge.

Would you suggest a split of 1/3 her and 2/3 me as I have more children. Or 50/50.

And anything else we should discuss before booking ?!

We normally get one meal out as a family and self cater rest of time. We are a picnic type of family rather than buying lunch out which I think she is too.

A third for her...if the caravan costs lets' say 1000 pounds, she should pay 300. You'll still be making a saving but not taking the mickey. After all, she only has one child and could get a one bed place for a holiday.

Oh yes, definitely discuss eating out and what you each like to do. Also discuss bedtimes for the kids...she might let hers stay up late...you might put yours to bed same as usual....or the other way around.

I'd get a 4 bed, and they pay the difference between the 3 bed you'd already planned to get and the 4 bed! If you'd planned a 3 bed, why sacrifice and squish in, just because extras are coming???

Unfortunately 4 beds are really hard to find and when you find the pare £££££ more. She did originally say about getting a caravan next to us if possible but we’d prob both be getting basic and If we split costs fairly can get an model with central heating

Ah yes Bed times. I do like mine in bed at decent time at least one night of holidays.

I'd let her get her own van then! You will likely hang out at one van anyways, but still have you own space in the evenings if wanted, or if the kids don't get on a times.

I used to like mine in bed and out of the way when they were small but two sets of my mates always let theirs stay up and run wild. I never thought it was appropriate as the adults would mostly be having a drink and a laugh and then the kids hear things not meant for little ears.

My mates also used to cook separate meals for the kids....so they'd make a curry for the adults and hot dogs or something for the kids....mine were used to eating well and eating what we ate so a curry was fine for them but I always felt like I'd be judged or something!

We normally get one meal out as a family and self cater rest of time. We are a picnic type of family rather than buying lunch out which I think she is too.

I would establish this too, before you go.
Just have a chat about all the things - it can be difficult for dc if one adult is buying their dc icecreams, chips, candy floss, pop, etc etc and paying out for them to go on trampolines or donkeys or rides or arcades 3x a day, and the other adult doesn't have that budget.

Then, are you having a kitty for the self catering, or splitting what you buy (in which case how) .

Hope you have a lovely time.

@Kite22

We normally get one meal out as a family and self cater rest of time. We are a picnic type of family rather than buying lunch out which I think she is too.

I would establish this too, before you go.
Just have a chat about all the things - it can be difficult for dc if one adult is buying their dc icecreams, chips, candy floss, pop, etc etc and paying out for them to go on trampolines or donkeys or rides or arcades 3x a day, and the other adult doesn't have that budget.

Then, are you having a kitty for the self catering, or splitting what you buy (in which case how) .

Hope you have a lovely time.

This is great advice....my friends and I say "Shall we give the kids a budget?" and we'll give them a certain amount per day....and that's their lot. So for icecreams, junk in the gift shops etc. The kids didn't look after the money until they were about 11...we did...and they liked working out what they had left.

A third for her as she has one room vs your two.
Food wise, either soy own costs or put in the kitty per head.

This is all really great advise.

I love my friend dearly. We’ve shared caravans before but when I only had one child and they were on their own. Tbh my friend is so so chilled as am I. I just don’t want any niggles.

*advice

There was a thread recently, where someone’s holiday was ruined by the other parent letting one child stay up until v late with them. Not sure what happened in the end.
She could pay a third but sort out food plans and bedtimes etc before you go.

I saw that thread @icelollycraving hence me wondering about this!

If you’re both chilled, just discuss it before you go. Separate caravans sounds ideal to me

Problem with separate caravans is even if sited next to each other (not guaranteed) then neither would feel comfortable leaving child/ren unattended whilst we chilled in another.

Think it will be together in one caravan but I’ll chat with her.

I also think she should pay a third, but if at all possible I'd avoid a set up where someone is sleeping in the living area as caravans are pretty small and means the DC have nowhere to go when they get up.