Am I under-thinking this? (First holiday as a family, 2yo and 4yo)

[Essie274]

Genuinely... am I missing something?

We have just booked a holiday for this summer with our children who will be 2 and 4. We've never been abroad with them before, and actually haven't ever been on a holiday with them even in the UK (we've had long weekends away visiting family in various parts of the UK, travelled to by public transport). It's a Eurocamp holiday at a camp that has been recommended by friends as being good for kids but not designed FOR kids, we're going for two weeks, it's easy enough to go into a city or other nearby towns for the day by train if we get bored at the site/in the local town/local beach, etc. We are flying but only a 2hr flight.

I'm excited. I can't see how it is going to be another other than lovely? I'm not expecting magic and rainbows, perfectly behaved children, etc... but how bad can it be? I'm a SAHP for reference. I spend a lot of my time with just the children so idk how different it could possibly be on holiday?

DH has just got back from visiting his friend's family who are parents of slightly older children (5-8 ish) and has come back panicking that it is going to be a hellish disaster, that we need to buy travel entertainment packs (not a clue what these are), iPads, fidget toys, prepare for constant tantrums and strops, and basically that we won't enjoy ourselves at all (as parents).

I think he/they are being ridiculous... but maybe I am? I DO have a tendency to just say "ah, everything will be fine, it'll be what it'll be" and hope for the best, whereas DH is much more of a "fail to prepare, prepare to fail" kind of guy. I genuinely want you to please tell me what I actually NEED to prepare for with the holiday and also travel days? DH now thinks we need everything

I feel like I'm probably doing my usual thing and am going to get there/be at the airport thinking "oh I wish I had done xyz"... please help?

Take some colouring books and smallish favourite toys, snacks, a change of clothes, baby carrier for little one, it will be fine!

Are you hiring a car or getting public transport to the site? For me that would probably influence how hard it would be. I normally bring a few little treats for mine for the plane - new magazine, little tins of play dough or putty, colour etc - nothing crazy. In Europe it’s not a long flight anyway. Bring more snacks than you think you’ll need and a change of clothes in case anyone gets travel sick - you’ll have a great time

It really depends we flew to Greece last summer DS is quite energetic not a quiet still child, skipping in the airport talking at a million miles an hour, asking the staff questions about the plane, but he was very happy to just be on the plane, look out of the window, look at a new comic, do some colouring, had a nap (early flight), he was 4 at the time, there was another child about the same age a few rows ahead she was a dream in the airport queued nicely no bouncing around, quiet, well behaved, my god did she scream once the engines started and the tantrums continued for the 4 hour plus flight, shouting, kicking etc. I have no idea if she had additional needs, ears affected by the pressure , just hated flying or this was just typical behaviour but I felt very sorry for her parents who did everything possible to placate her. Only you know your children and how best to occupy them.

How long are you kids used to travelling for vs how long the journey will be? How are you travelling - generally kids will be more bored driving than public transport which they tend to quite enjoy. If flying take some sweets for them to suck at take off/landing (ds had earache after our first flight) and a few quiet toys incase they kick off. Other than that, I would say at those ages being on holiday is a lot like being at home!

I'm not sure if you've camped before, but something else to bear in mind is they may not be happy to sleep in the tent by themselves even if usually good sleepers at home, so you might need to compromise (later bedtime for them, earlier for you).

I've traveled a lot with my kids and trust me they feed off your anxiety so please tell your DH to chill out and just to trust you.

You know your children and it sounds like it will be amazing! Your attitude is the best way to be 100%!

I think it helps that I travelled a lot on my own before DH/children - 'bad' stuff happens, but you just figure it out and move on! But I do appreciate that isn't as simple with children!

I think I'll need to find a middle ground with DH so that he knows we are 'prepared' and he can calm the fuck down a bit.

That is exactly what I'm assuming! That it'll be just like being at home, only there will be a beach!

Journey (assuming no delays); <1hr drive to airport (or potentially 20 min bus then 1hr train to airport, but we will most likely drive), 2hr flight, 30 min bus direct from airport to camp. Obviously the waiting around at various points makes it much longer, but can't say how long those bits will be.

We use public transport all the time. They're used to being on the bus for 1hr+ at a time regularly as that's how we get to my mum's for visits.

We are not camping this time, that felt like a bit much as we aren't experienced campers. We have a caravan/chalet type of thing.

It’s pretty full-on at that age, tbh. The airport and flight, yes, be prepared with snacks, water bottles you can refill, download loads of games or shows onto tablets or phones before you travel, have spare clothes in your carry-on etc.

But really be super clear with your DP that this is a family holiday. Last trip, I was beside a dad with his headphones in the whole journey (he was in seat D; I was in E). His wife and kids were an ABC and he COMPLETELY ignored them as she exhaustedly fed, consoled and entertained them for 2.5 hours.

If you’re in a Eurocamp, you’ll have lots to do, but get into some sort of family routine like 1-4 you are always back in your home/tent for naps and down time.

I suggest you bring a buggy with a step on the back (I forget the brand names) so the 4yo can hop on so s/he is not traipsing in the heat.

Sunscreen every couple of hours; rinse out swimwear every night - make sure this is not mum’s job!

If in a mobile home in the summer, I hope you have air con …

Buy micro towels if you don’t already have them.

And divide and conquer, one child each!

Do you or your husband get ear problems when flying? If so it’s more likely that your children will, too. Sucking on a boiled sweet helps to equalise the pressure and stop it hurting so much. I speak as someone who is usually in pain for days after a flight!

Just made sure you have your family’s essentials, eg that one toy each child can’t fall asleep without, and a well stocked first aid kit (plasters, savlon, insect bite relief cream, Calpol sachets etc). That and a few entertainments and changes of clothes and you’re fine. It’s worse I think for people who aren’t used to being at home with their children much, as there’s always an added anxiety related to not being able to escape them 😂

If you are in a position to buy anything you need but forget, that will help. If that risks blowing your budget then you have to think ahead a bit more, but it’s still doable. Have a lovely time!

omg they're 2 & 4, download loads of shows & games on screens , seriously ?
Or you know, just talk to your kids.🤷‍♀️

panicking that it is going to be a hellish disaster, that we need to buy travel entertainment packs (not a clue what these are), iPads, fidget toys, prepare for constant tantrums and strops, and basically that we won't enjoy ourselves at all (as parents).

^ the only thing we've ever taken for ours are reusable sticker books for the plane, breadsticks to eat whilst waiting for one us to make breakfast and a lightweight book in case we're not all finished eating. No strops or tantrums. Don't use screens at all. Over the course of the holiday we make sure both of us have had some time off parenting. Certainly do relax.

What I should have said more accurately is, if your children are allowed screen time and you have devices, download shows before you travel. That’s all ✌🏻

Some children are a lot more high maintenance than others. Some adults would struggle with a week or two of being a SAHP. If it's normally fine travelling with them and keeping them busy all day, and they eat and sleep ok and quite flexibly, then you'll probably be fine. But not everyone is dealt your hand. If you are missing something maybe it's a bit of empathy.

Imagine if this were a post about breastfeeding. "Genuinely... am I missing something? I just latched the baby on and they start sucking. I don't see why everyone is making such a ridiculous fuss, it's easy." Great if that is your experience, but no need to denigrate your friends and call them ridiculous for finding it harder.

I've taken 4 under 10s abroad before plenty of times, and with a 2 hour flight time it should not cause you much bother, the time on the flight is the most troublesome. If they even have the slightest ability to be travel sick, a plastic bag ready at hand, and tablets help, plus a spare outfit, water My kids liked flying usually, so the first 20 minutes or so they were occupied with the taking off etc. Then give them something new to do. Whether a new colouring pack, or a their screens unlimited or a game or parent interaction (DD3 used to like making the perfect cup of tea for me), the best thing ever is that they decide to take a nap - take something comforting for them to do this, special pillow and blanket. And yeah landing, 2 out of 4 had issues with their ear pain, but 2 didn't, and not all of the time. Chewing helps, being able to pop your ears helps (but hard to explain to a 4 year old). The flight is the thing that you have to be "on it for" as parents, the rest will be fine. xx

Depends entirely on your kids I’d say.

I have looked in wonder at kids in airport queues who hold their parent’s hand and shuffle along in the queue whilst just looking around quietly. Meanwhile mine will not stand still and start singing loudly, squabbling or swinging from the queue ropes. For everyone’s sake we used screens for plane journeys as soon as they were able to hold them 😂 no apologies! (They now have books in queues but screens on the plane).

Also some kids get travel sick, homesick, can’t sleep, won’t eat unfamiliar food, tummy bugs, sunburned, overheated, bitten by mozzies much more easily than others… all these things contribute to whether travel is easy or not.

Oooft that poor woman! My DH wouldn't dare . In seriousness, he's a hands-on dad just has never been on holiday with children since he was one.

Yes we have air con, and going in June so "shouldn't" be TOO hot (though you never know with heat waves etc).

Oooft that poor woman! My DH wouldn't dare . In seriousness, he's a hands-on dad just has never been on holiday with children since he was one.

Yes we have air con, and going in June so "shouldn't" be TOO hot (though you never know with heat waves etc).

Oooft that poor woman! My DH wouldn't dare . In seriousness, he's a hands-on dad just has never been on holiday with children since he was one.

Yes we have air con, and going in June so "shouldn't" be TOO hot (though you never know with heat waves etc).

It will be fine! Being on holiday is easier than being at home with kids. Never understood holiday angst, you'll have fun! Eurocamps are designed for kids and families, it's all there for you.

I always figure good travel insurance, a credit card and some extra downloaded shows (and a portable battery pack!) covers you for most emergencies

I've re-read your op.
You need:
Cafetiere if you drink coffee (not all eurocamps provide one!!!)
Lightweight towels
Puzzle books for the plane
Snacks for plane
Change of clothes for plane (it's gets surprisingly messy when you're confined in an airline seat, juice boxes etc spill)
Favourite stuffed toys etc
Calpol etc
Lightweight buggy with sunshade if possible
Eurocamps have high chair and baby baths
Extra swim wear and rash vests
Things to encourage chilling out (books or colouring etc)

I think it sometimes depends on expectations. If you think "holiday" is a lot of time to chill and relax, time to sit in the sun peacefully with a beer and a glass of wine, to read several paperbacks, to have a meal that's solely a big bag of crisps and cheese/cured meats - it's not the same if you're also in charge of several pre-school age children.

Holidays with small children is parenting in a different location, without your creature comforts and the familiarity of home, for kids who are out of their routines, may be cranky from the heat, may refuse to eat any of the food, may be hyped up on more ice creams and lollies than usual, have death traps like pools and the sea to hand, while you're paying ££££ for the experience and are expected to be "having a nice time".

If you have easy-going kids, aren't fussed about everyone being out of routine and having ice creams every day, can tag-team a bit so both adults do get some chill time to yourselves, then there's a prospect of having a nice time.

It'll be great. We've always enjoyed our holidays with small children and Eurocamp is perfect for them. Sleep patterns change a bit and you don't get much time relaxing with a book (although we always made sure we both got a bit of that) but I agree with you that there's no reason to think you won't have a lovely time.