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Original poster

Why are holidays with young kids so hard?!

51 replies

treetop122 · 31/05/2025 21:12

Just arrived on a little holiday. 3 kids (10,5,2). 3 bed apartment , very nice. Uk holiday (1.5 hours down the road. Only staying for 3 nights, just a short get away (all we could afford this year).

why is everything so bloody hard? Packing took the best part of a day. Air B&B means we have had to bring everything (toilet roll/washing up liquid). Kids are so over excited! They are running around the apartment like headless chickens. We have worked so hard to gather all the bloody equipment we need to go away for 3 days, the food, the beach stuff etc etc…

I just feel so miserable (and ungrateful). I feel it is important for the kids to come away. But it feels like such hard work for such over excitement.. we will be having to pack everything up again in 2 days time.

what am I doing so wrong? Am I just a miserable horrible person? Hoping the kids have a great time, but why can’t I enjoy it? I just see it all as so much work!

god I sound awful!

(also just to add, kids get 2 weeks off for this half term which is amazing… although not for me as I am also a teacher but my school only get a week.. so another reason why it is just a short break).

OP posts:
menopausalmare · 31/05/2025 22:06

There's no such thing as a holiday with young children, it's a change of scene. Now you won't be disappointed when it's the usual hard work in a new place.

Sofiewoo · 31/05/2025 22:08

menopausalmare · 31/05/2025 22:06

There's no such thing as a holiday with young children, it's a change of scene. Now you won't be disappointed when it's the usual hard work in a new place.

There's no such thing as a holiday with young children

Couldn’t disagree more!

Mookie81 · 31/05/2025 22:18

treetop122 · 31/05/2025 21:12

Just arrived on a little holiday. 3 kids (10,5,2). 3 bed apartment , very nice. Uk holiday (1.5 hours down the road. Only staying for 3 nights, just a short get away (all we could afford this year).

why is everything so bloody hard? Packing took the best part of a day. Air B&B means we have had to bring everything (toilet roll/washing up liquid). Kids are so over excited! They are running around the apartment like headless chickens. We have worked so hard to gather all the bloody equipment we need to go away for 3 days, the food, the beach stuff etc etc…

I just feel so miserable (and ungrateful). I feel it is important for the kids to come away. But it feels like such hard work for such over excitement.. we will be having to pack everything up again in 2 days time.

what am I doing so wrong? Am I just a miserable horrible person? Hoping the kids have a great time, but why can’t I enjoy it? I just see it all as so much work!

god I sound awful!

(also just to add, kids get 2 weeks off for this half term which is amazing… although not for me as I am also a teacher but my school only get a week.. so another reason why it is just a short break).

Because it isn't a holiday, it's the same as you do at home but 1.5 hours away. 🤷🏾‍♀️

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Families
CookieBlue · 31/05/2025 22:18

I have just come back from a UK break with my two children and if I’m honest, it has nearly finished me off 🤣. It was very, very difficult at times. Mainly my 3 year old who woke up at 4am each morning and threw some epic tantrums. Hated everything, complained about everything. The days of lazing about in the sun abroad seem so long ago. I cling onto hope that it will get easier but you definitely have my sympathies!

Poobs2022 · 31/05/2025 22:30

My DS is 3.5 and I find going away so stressful as there's always so much to organise. I've tried explaining to DH that a holiday isn't relaxing for me. It's doing all the same shit I do at home, just somewhere different!

MellowPinkDeer · 31/05/2025 22:35

You’ve not gone on holiday, you’ve taken your kids somewhere less convenient. A holiday is not packing up everything and bringing your own toilet paper and then looking after everyone like you’re at home but without the convenience of home!! Next time book 4 night all inclusive with a kids club and have a rest!

LilacPony · 31/05/2025 22:38

IDontDrinkTea · 31/05/2025 21:51

I dont mean this disrespectfully, but I do think you’ve chosen a very difficult type of holiday. Because effectively you’ve got all the same chores / jobs of being at home, with having to cook, entertain children etc, without half the stuff you have at home to make your days easier.

Have you considered a holiday park type of place? Whether a caravan park or Butlins? Whilst pre-kids this is nothing I’d ever have considered, now I have children it’s ideal. There’s lots of entertainment for the kids to wear themselves out, when they don’t sleep you can just keep them out at the mini disco until they’re exhausted, if you go to Butlins you can even get food hall packages for cheap so you don’t have to cook.

I have to agree with this. Take a look at things you find hardest and see if you can change them up. For me it would be self catering, sourcing the food/cooking/cleaning up. That’s no holiday in my book! As mentioned places like Butlins give you breakfast and dinner as part of the package. I note you like accommodation the kids can run around in, but is it really worth the sacrifice of everything else that comes with it? One of the butlins hotels is designed for little ones with fun things on the room walls to play with etc.

REDB99 · 31/05/2025 22:38

It’s only me and my DD and the car is stuffed and having to think about all the cleaning products etc to is a nightmare! I don’t think it’s worth it for 3 days. I’ve started getting hotels or B&Bs for short trips. No washing up, no meal planning etc it’s much more relaxing! Or I just plan days out to nicer places that are more fun or different but stay at home. Getting the train an hour away feels like a break, DD loves exploring somewhere new, no laundry and home in time to enjoy your own bed!

Chocolateorange22 · 31/05/2025 22:42

The last three years I used to take the kids away with some of my family. The older members just didn't see the stress. Doing a week with two kids under 5 with all the early morning wake ups, all the driving as it has to be a beach location (we are Midlands), nobody offering childcare and criticising me when I lose my shit with tired kids. Nope decided I'm not doing it another year. I get home exhausted and back to work feeling like I haven't had a break.

Original poster
treetop122 · 31/05/2025 22:53

So glad I’m not completely alone in the way I am feeling..
I really hope I can get in to the swing of things tomorrow and Monday. Leaving on Tuesday 🙈.. totally not worth it really but wanted to get the kids away for a bit so they felt they had a special time!
most of their friends will be away this week on holiday too (because of the 2 week holiday and cheaper prices for the second week).. so wanted them to feel like we had some family time too. Unfortunately this year, this was all we could afford (and will easily cost us the best part of £800 I bet!)

OP posts:
jjeoreo · 31/05/2025 23:01

Chocolateorange22 · 31/05/2025 22:42

The last three years I used to take the kids away with some of my family. The older members just didn't see the stress. Doing a week with two kids under 5 with all the early morning wake ups, all the driving as it has to be a beach location (we are Midlands), nobody offering childcare and criticising me when I lose my shit with tired kids. Nope decided I'm not doing it another year. I get home exhausted and back to work feeling like I haven't had a break.

Yup - I think holidaying with other families can be great, but throw in a few people who don't have kids and it's very much like your parenting on show, which I find incredibly stressful. That's probably a "me" problem, though

fourandpanicking · 01/06/2025 08:55

We've only ever done these sort of holidays with our kids so far (short uk breaks, not that far away, self catering etc) and I quite agree it feels like a mission and it is hard work, especially for me.
I've also got three kids all under 5 years old and it is a LOT. My husband moans about going non stop in the run up, even though he doesn't book it, plan it, pack for it or generally do anything other than put a few of his clothes in a bag and get in the car 🙄🙄🙄
Experience has taught us to go into it now with a different mindset. It won't be a "holiday" and it definitely won't be relaxing. It will be a 3-5 day long action packed adventure. Planning lots of stuff to do keeps the kids busy, keeps us focused and means less time they're running around being manic while we want to chill.
We also prefer to go to a holiday park type place instead of an air BnB so we've got beach/pool/parks/activities on our doorstep to make it all easier.

I've got better at packing what we need and keep a running packing list on my phone so I don't need to rethink of what to pack every time and I just amend it if I think of something that would be useful on our next trip.
What I will say though is although I find it very hard work at the time I look back on our past trips incredibly fondly so we've obviously made great memories in amongst the hard work so overall it's worth it!

Drawings · 01/06/2025 08:58

It’s just parenting in another location….i always say this.

Only minor change is if you can get all inclusive holidays and the lack of cooking / planning is nice but even then you are walking around a buffet getting the kids foods / drinks then trying to get yourself sorted and it’s not relaxing or enjoyable 😂😂

MolkosTeenageAngst · 01/06/2025 09:01

treetop122 · 31/05/2025 22:53

So glad I’m not completely alone in the way I am feeling..
I really hope I can get in to the swing of things tomorrow and Monday. Leaving on Tuesday 🙈.. totally not worth it really but wanted to get the kids away for a bit so they felt they had a special time!
most of their friends will be away this week on holiday too (because of the 2 week holiday and cheaper prices for the second week).. so wanted them to feel like we had some family time too. Unfortunately this year, this was all we could afford (and will easily cost us the best part of £800 I bet!)

Skip going next year but save the £800 you would have spent so you can afford a £1600 week away in 2027.

MrsSkylerWhite · 01/06/2025 09:03

Because you’re self-catering.

Pyjamatimenow · 01/06/2025 09:07

We’ve just come back from 5 days away. I’m a husk of a person and don’t even want to speak to anyone. Nothing even really went wrong. Nobody fell ill or broke anything as has happened on previous trips but it was still fucking hard work. I went food shopping yesterday and came back to discover dh had just tipped the contents of 4 suitcases onto the beds as part of his contribution to the post holiday work I now need to do.

FrenchandSaunders · 01/06/2025 09:17

Why is everyone taking all these cleaning products on hols! I’ve stayed in apartments and cottages and I don’t clean them!

FrenchandSaunders · 01/06/2025 09:17

I obv clear up after myself and put the dishwasher on …

frozendaisy · 01/06/2025 09:22

You are there now OP

Holidays with young kids are just that for them

Enjoy seeing some new stuff and eating ice cream for lunch

TartanMammy · 01/06/2025 09:27

It's hard when they're younger op. Same shit different location.

Do you have some outdoor space? I find booking somewhere without a garden or playground really helps.

Food keep it really simple, and a couple of takeaways and meals out. You're on holiday so it doesn't matter if it involves more treats and pizza than you would usually have.

Have a rough plan for each day split up into morning, afternoon and evening. But don't be afraid to flex the plan if it all goes to shit.

Stick to home bedtimes, get the little ones off to bed and open a bottle of wine, order a curry, whatever it is that makes you and dp feel like you're also getting a holiday.

Comedycook · 01/06/2025 09:30

You're self catering with three kids. Not much more to say I'm afraid. Its nice your DC are excited though

Blueberrycake12 · 01/06/2025 09:34

Pyjamatimenow · 01/06/2025 09:07

We’ve just come back from 5 days away. I’m a husk of a person and don’t even want to speak to anyone. Nothing even really went wrong. Nobody fell ill or broke anything as has happened on previous trips but it was still fucking hard work. I went food shopping yesterday and came back to discover dh had just tipped the contents of 4 suitcases onto the beds as part of his contribution to the post holiday work I now need to do.

Wow. You married a cruel one. I would have gone mad.

yoshiblue · 01/06/2025 09:47

TBH, I think your biggest error was only going away for 3 nights. Absolutely not worth it. I would have done a night away in a Premier Inn near an attraction eg National Space Museum, York Railway Museum, then eaten out at night or in the restaurant.

We have an autistic DS, that throws a million eating restrictions into the mix, so SC is our only workable option. We’re currently on a campsite in France and we’re already dreaming of UK break next year 😂

I’d save money to go for a week, get a click and collect to the accommodation, stock up on wine and takeaways. It’s not that bad 😁

1AngelicFruitCake · 01/06/2025 10:36

When ours were that young it took
quire a few attempts to get it right. What we found helped was seriously limiting what we took (hard at the age of your youngest).
Taking special food for breakfast that doesn’t need cooking (in our case croissants, chocolate cereal etc)
Took picnic style food that could be put out quickly and then the other meal would be takeaway or meal out.
took treats for us to have at night, put a film on and let them stay up late.
It was still hard though! Easier when older.

Whoknowshere · 12/08/2025 05:22

Going 3 days in a Self catering place with 3 kids is not an holiday, it is loads of hard work!!! Packing settling in cleaning after unpacking, it is just not worth it. It is not relaxing for anyone. I’d rather stay home and do day trips somewhere, even a few hours car trip, leave morning, get there by 10, spend the day, we usually we do packed lunch, stay for dinner somewhere nice and drive back after dinner when they sleep. Day after relaxing at home doing nothing, sleeping mainly, then again other day trip.
with kids that age is only an holiday if it is a least 1 week, there is someone helping, like grandparents so adults outnumber kids if it is all inclusive and there is no cleaning, cooking etc and it’s only packing and parenting but all the chores are covered