Holiday dilemma with DC

[Timepoorandpoor]

Only one of my children sees their dad (lots of reasons) and he is inevitably taking that one abroad for a holiday in the summer.

My other children have not had a holiday in many years due to finances.

They are pushing to go abroad whilst DC1 is away with their dad. I have looked and it does bring the price down to “affordable” but it’s sitting really wrong with me.

I feel like I’m saying to that DC1 that I’ve waited until they’ve gone and booked something nice. I know DC1 would love to come on holiday with us all and I think would be incredibly hurt by this (she’s 8) as her relationship with her siblings can be strained due to her volatile behaviour at times and she would feel we’d left her out.

If I’m honest I’m torn with guilt whatever I do. I feel like if I can’t afford for everyone then we don’t go, but in reality I can’t afford for everyone to go.

I feel shit over the holiday situation in general anyway.

This is very cheap. When I'm looking for 4, self catering during school holidays they are double this. Even going out of school holiday time didn't bring it down this much, then we need spending money etc .

Could you hold off and go October school holidays, gives you more time to save?

I couldn't leave 1 DC, but I understand why it's an option.

I like Cornwall and Devon. But we have to go on 24th August and can only do 1 week

Why does it need to be the same dates as the 8 year olds holiday with her dad? Surely the prices over school holidays are much of a muchness.
Or could you book somewhere in October half term? May be slightly cheaper than summer.

I am thinking I might book something for Easter. I’m not sure where would be nice enough in March/April.

Failing that I will book for next summer, and pay over the year, which I think is my best bet. Then I could do something nice

Like people have commented I reckon you could get somewhere in the UK self catering with that budget for the summer or go in October half term, I’ve just been looking at cottages in Scotland for the week and they’re a really
good price.

They are not great places or holidays either 🤣

I think you should take your older two away, while your younger one is with their Dad. She's getting a holiday, so they should be able to get one too.

If you can afford to take them away I think you should - even if it's a hostel stay in a city or countryside, it doesn't have to be too expensive.

You say that you'll feel shit either way, so why not give them the pleasure of going away, so at least they enjoy themselves.

Your youngest miggt feel aggrieved, but she'll have to accept it - she's getting a holiday already.

https://www.cottages.com/cottages/lodge-46-w42910?adult=1&child=3&infant=0&pets=0&range=3&nights=7&accommodationType=cottages&placesId=38946&regionName=South+West+England&start=23-08-2025&index=search&accommodationTypes=&features=&siteFeatures=&page=3&sort=priceasc&newflex=true

I'm in a cottage in Wales atm. £700 for four people. I can't see how we could go abroad more cheaply. I accept it may not be what you / your kids want but it's doable.

https://www.cottages.com/cottages/little-blagdon-bungalow-uk36218?adult=1&child=3&infant=0&pets=0&range=3&nights=7&accommodationType=cottages&placesId=38946&regionName=South+West+England&start=23-08-2025&index=search&accommodationTypes=&features=&siteFeatures=&page=4&sort=priceasc&newflex=true

Take your eldest two on a budget caravan sort of holiday. Do that this year not next. They deserve a holiday too as do you. Your youngest is not being excluded she’s on holiday with her dad.

And yes the SW is really dear every august so a static caravan is probably the cheapest option.

We do the same but out of season nowadays, next year we need to go in august due to an event and it’s £1700. So we aren’t sure what to actually do right now.

https://www.cottages.com/cottages/lanes-cottage-50191?adult=1&child=3&infant=0&pets=0&range=3&nights=7&accommodationType=cottages&placesId=38946&regionName=South+West+England&start=23-08-2025&index=search&accommodationTypes=&features=&siteFeatures=&page=5&sort=priceasc&newflex=true

Thankyou @soupyspoon i will have a look ❤️

https://www.cottages.com/cottages/copper-penny-apartments-hare-lodge-ukc214?adult=1&child=3&infant=0&pets=0&range=3&nights=7&accommodationType=cottages&placesId=38946&regionName=South+West+England&start=23-08-2025&index=search&accommodationTypes=&features=&siteFeatures=&page=6&sort=priceasc&newflex=true

We used to go to Cornwall every year but the prices got so silly...we then discovered south Wales. The beaches are just as nice, it's nowhere near as busy, and it's less than half the price. We used to go to Stackpole in Pembrokeshire, which is near Barafundle beach, which is often voted one of the best in the UK, and now we go to Kidwelly in Carmarthenshire specifically for nearby Pembrey country park.

You cant stop me now, I'll be here all night!

There are plenty of affordable options during the summer holidays I have no idea why its portrayed that going abroad is cheaper.

Yes its more fancy, more sunny probably, more varied, I get all that. But to take the kids away, all they want is to have fun, be with mum, enjoy something different, see new things and new places.

If you're not too restricted to Devon and Cornwall, which are pricey areas, Gloucester and South Wales are cheaper, Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset

Or up north.

Thank you I’d agree wales is a much better option the SW is completely overpriced but we need to visit family there so tied to a set area.

What’s worse is we’ve seen/started to plan a road trip style holiday taking our car to the south of France/Spain which would cost us much less.

https://www.cottages.com/cottages/sundowners-19516?adult=1&child=3&infant=0&pets=0&range=3&nights=7&accommodationType=cottages&placesId=38946&regionName=South+West+England&start=23-08-2025&index=search&accommodationTypes=&features=&siteFeatures=&page=7&sort=priceasc&newflex=true

Keycamp/ euro camp holidays are great value , we loved duinrell in Holland. Lots to do. Travelled there by train/ ferry once and once by flying. Or one just outside Paris and we used eurostar to get there.
But loads of different campsites in different countries to pick from. Just look into cheap flights( skyscanner) and find a campsite easy to get to from the airport.
And you pay for accommodation not per person so all your kids could go, assuming you could afford the transport costs.

https://www.cottages.com/cottages/the-briars-23986?adult=1&child=3&infant=0&pets=0&range=3&nights=7&accommodationType=cottages&placesId=38946&regionName=South+West+England&start=25-08-2025&index=search&accommodationTypes=&features=&siteFeatures=&page=6&sort=priceasc&newflex=true

I'd go and wouldn't have even of given it a second thought. Then they are all getting a holiday. Why should she get two. But then my grandparents would take my brothers away and not me so my dad took me away and we were all happy.

Look for holidays with a free child place

https://www.cottages.com/cottages/rosecraddoc-holiday-village-trebah-b6523?adult=1&child=3&infant=0&pets=0&range=3&nights=7&accommodationType=cottages&placesId=38946&regionName=South+West+England&start=23-08-2025&index=search&accommodationTypes=&features=&siteFeatures=&page=8&sort=priceasc&newflex=true

Im looking for places with 3 beds by the way as Im assuming the 24th is the date you can take all 3 away with you?

If you could afford to go without one child this year, take the cost of the lower price holiday and save it all in a dedicated account. Then don't got his year. Save again next year and you will have more than enough to take you all. Repeat every 2 years. Don't add another wedge between them.