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?

Thank you for this input! Especially the cafetière, I wouldn't have thought of that! Also thanks for the positivity

Thank you for this input! Especially the cafetière, I wouldn't have thought of that! Also thanks for the positivity

I honestly think things like this are what you make them. I have loved all my holidays with my now 4 year old because I don't set unrealistic expectations.

There's still going to be moments of overwhelm and tantrums and all the normal every day stuff but I like to try and put a positive spin on it all. You're still on holiday, enjoying something new, not at work etc

Just be prepared. Whether then means in your expectations or physically prepared and you'll be fine, you'll have a great time. Take an iPad or tablet for the journey if you have them. If not then colouring, stickers and little toys to keep them busy. You don't need to buy anything new. The same little toys for the plane will be great when you're sat waiting for dinner etc

It won't be like a holiday pre children but I'm sure you know that. Have a great time 😃

@MumMumMumMumMumMumMum I'm just expecting it to be like our days at home/days out in the UK but a bit sunnier; a mix of lovely times and stropping and whining - youngest doesn't sleep well at home still so not expecting miracles on holiday either haha.

It'll be great! I'm a sahp and I always enjoy the holidays because DH is around... everything is more fun when the whole family is together. Even if the kids are acting up you'll still find it easier and less of a big deal because you'll have another adult around to commiserate.

I'm the same as you - if you're chilled and cheerful, kids respond to that. Kids don't need entertaining every second with iPads or whatever. Take some books / coloring for the plane. And talk to them in advance about what will happen at the airport etc. Of course do anticipate sleep changes, but you're on holiday! It doesn't matter!

This.

I took a 2yo and 4 month old to Italy on my own. It was fine! Just take it slowly, no unproductive pressure on yourself.

People on here make a meal of the most everyday tasks.

It’s a bit same shit different place with those ages but you sound realistic and of course a change of scene is also fun so absolutely you can go on holiday and have a good time!

I’d take ipad and headphones (splitter if you only have 1) for the plane- there’s no other scenario where you’d strap them to a chair for 2 hours and expect them to quiet and still so use the screen and be sure to practice at home with the headphones to make sure they’re happy to use them. Put a change for everyone and swimsuits in hand luggage- covers plane spills and lost luggage! I don’t think you need much else.

I would just make sure you have everything you need for if they get sick in terms of calpol/thermometer etc. getting stuff like that abroad can be a pain as it’s not the same.

Also prepare for worst on travel days - change clothes for you and them etc.

and just check food shops are open when you arrive etc so you can at least stock up on a few basics

Sunhats and battery packs for phones etc.
The campsite shop should be great for little treats etc.

Have you got microfibre hooded towels? Handy for changing kids under and v quick drying and light.

If it relaxes your DH he can get a little pack of emergency stuff, no harm in a few holiday games etc.

oh yes just seen the post above this one - definitely take medication etc. It tastes different abroad and you don’t want to have to deal with that in the middle of the night! And I agree with sick bags. Nice.

It sounds like you have the perfect attitude. Just go and enjoy it. As with anything, there will be ups and downs but it is much better than staying at home and doing the same old stuff. It might be harder for your partner as it sounds as if he is used to being at work, which is usually easier than being with the kids!

It sounds like you have the perfect attitude. Just go and enjoy it. As with anything, there will be ups and downs but it is much better than staying at home and doing the same old stuff. It might be harder for your partner as it sounds as if he is used to being at work, which is usually easier than being with the kids!

It sounds like you have the perfect attitude. Just go and enjoy it. As with anything, there will be ups and downs but it is much better than staying at home and doing the same old stuff. It might be harder for your partner as it sounds as if he is used to being at work, which is usually easier than being with the kids!

It'll be fine and Eurocamp style holidays are brilliant for those ages. We've always done campsites in France/Spain with a mix of ferry/drive and plane to get there. The only challenging part I found was going through security in some airports where there were long queues.

Happy memories of building a den out of the dryer and blankets with mine at that age on holiday.
Don't expect it to be an actual holiday though for you to relax.

I think it depends on your frame of reference for a holiday. If you’re comparing it to your normal days with a 2 and 4yo (like you seem to be) it’s fine and enjoyable. If you go in with notions of comparing to holidays pre-children then it will never meet those expectations. At those ages it won’t necessarily be much of a holiday for you in that you’ll still be doing work related to entertaining small children but that doesn’t mean it won’t be enjoyable. I found once my children could spend a lot of time in a pool and got better at swimming, my holidays became much more relaxing. Similarly once they could stay up a bit later and weren’t so dependent on naps.

i’d also echo tips about spare clothes for everyone for the flight and also sick bags- (they don't seem to be provided anymore in the seats). One year my then 3yo projectile vomited all over me on the plane. I didn’t have spares for me and had to spend a good hour or two sitting in a wet dress smelling of sick before I got my suitcase. I’ll never make that mistake again!

You're going to Europe on. 2 hr flight not timbuktoo on a 36hr flight. Europe have shops if you forget something and they have Dr's and hospital's if god forbid something does happen. Your husband sounds neurotic and will end up making them far worse than they need to be. Pack some snacks and juice and some colouring books and you will be fine.

Our sons are now 9 & 11 We first took them abroad to Gran Canaria when they were 3 and just turning 1 year old, again a year later to Lanzarote. I won’t name everywhere we’ve traveled, but have also had holidays in the UK, so long drives and America, so long flights. All have been absolutely fine. One IPad, little toys like teddies or action figures and they were calm, happy, entertained by the actual travelling and no big issues whatsoever. You know your children best, so you know how to parent them. Don’t worry, everything should be fine. Enjoy your holiday 😊

Eurocamped for years starting when kids were 3 and 1. Mostly had great time especially as disposable nappies were priced out of reach in u.k. so using them abroad was a holiday in itself! Just accept they’ll still be small children wherever you go but with more to keep them busy and better weather (with luck) .You’ll have a great time, we have many happy memories of those days.

We don't take tablets on holiday for ours, they're happy with colouring and toys on the plane. Unless you were on a long haul flight I really can't see how they'd be necessary for children that age!

It will be fine! We travel long haul every few weeks/months with our baby and toddler and it is really not a big deal. Don't overpack, having too much stuff can be really overwhelming and I find that on the plane rides that I bring too much stuff (colouring books, sticker books, books, games, etc) that it just becomes overwhelming and then never really gets used. The main items we always bring: Ipad with a couple shows downloaded (we limit television at home and so its a big treat to have the Ipad on the plane), lots of snacks (even with a short plane ride, it is good to be prepared because of delays, etc.), water bottles, and one book each. That is really enough. Once you get there, there will be plenty to do.

The only other thing I always bring is a small medical kit with pain tablets, children's medicine, plasters, anti itch cream (bug bites). It has been used almost every time and so I try not to ever forget it.

I would suggest that you have a lightweight buggy for each child so there are no limitations to walking. You can also enjoy evenings out and the children can just nod off in the buggies. I travelled a lot with my children at those ages.

We are about to do our eurocamp again this summer.
we go with our 3 children and stay in the lodges rather than the tents. mine will be 5,7 and 9 this time but the first time we went all 5 of us they were 3, 5 and 7.
A lot of people tend to pull a bit of a face when we say we are doing Eurocamp but we have had 2 fantastic holidays so far!
never bothered paying for any of the kids clubs, mine are entertained by the pools, play areas etc.
mine do have tablets but we drive and have an electric car rather than fly so no experience of flying there and the tablets are a treat they play on while we charge the car!
once we arrive They only tend to go on a tablet in a morning while we get ready etc because they are just outside playing most of the time!
id say if you think you're swimming everyday- take two costumes each so one can be drying while you wear the other one and then you can rotate. Trying to squeeze children in damp cold swimsafes is hard!!!

It sounds as though your expectations are fairly realistic.

Sometimes holidays can be more stressful because there is less childproofing and more escape routes compared to home. Also more tempting new places for a 2-4 year old to explore.

On the other hand you will have 2 adults.

I like your attitude, OP. There is absolutely no reason why you won’t have a lovely (full-on, active, occasionally chaotic) holiday and no, children don’t need extra equipment or stuff to keep them busy!

mine are older now but weve always travelled with them. Sticker books, colouring books, snacks, and lots of patience for the plane are essential.

once there, give it a couple of days to adjust to a new place/routine. Accept that your home schedule will be somehat disrupted and embrace holiday habits (if you’re going somewhere warm/south, remember, there’s a reason children take an afternoon nap until
theyre 5 or 6 - it gets hot in the middle of the day so plan wind down activity/rest then, and stay up longer in the evening). See what your kids like doing in the new place and go with the flow. Sometimes they’ll bicker or have tantrums but that’s totally normal, they are children! Everyone will be super understanding. Be prepared for things not to go always smoothly and bring enough medicine essentials to be able to manage a fever or a bump.

i remember holidays with the little ones as really tiring but magical - we all really bonded and ended up having lots of small and big adventures we still talk about.