To think going on holiday with a baby/toddler is never fun?

[Makeupbabes]

Is it just me who finds this?
We went away last year only to Prestatyn but my god did I find it hard, so much so that we actually left a day earlier as I couldn't wait to get back to normality.

I found my 18 month old DS to be a bit overwhelmed (& wouldn't sleep well or nap) by being away & we did seem to struggle with ways to entertain him. It's actually put me off going away this year.

Also the thought of going abroad & taking a toddler on a plane makes me feel very anxious! Does anyone else find holidays with toddlers hard?

We did amazing things with ours when they were little - dd1 3 and ds 18 months (I was pg with dd2) we did 3 weeks in Canada, including a road trip, was brilliant. When they were 18m, 3 and 5 we had 3 weeks backpacking in Central America (Guatemala and Honduras) which they loved, had a real ball (and its ds's earliest memory!) and another 3 weeks in Canada with family (dh had a sabbatical from work).

Maybe our dc are flexible? Not sure why it worked but it did, and they all had a great time, and want to see these places again. They're all much bigger now - at 12, 14 and 16 - but we still have great family holidays as they're all quite adventurous and keen to try new stuff.

For me, "same shit, different place" actually helped - and that includes washing reusable nappies by hand in Guatemala!!

My DB and SIL are going to Mallorca for a week in July with their DS - he is 2.5 and very pale so they'll have to be so careful in the sun with him.

She's pregnant and they are going in a villa with all her family (cabin fever emoticon)

I really would rather just go to Scotland or Center Parcs for a few days, the intense heat + pregnancy + a two year old? No.

With toddlers it all depends on how well they nap. I am most amused by all those on this thread who are blithely saying 'It's fine!! We just wear out the kids and they have a three hour nap every pm whilst we drink wine by the pool"

We went on a weekend away with family when ds was 20m. He DID NOT SLEEP. No naps, not more that half an hour at a time during the night. I was pg, our parenting style was under scrutiny by SIL whose baby was only ever awake for eight hours in the twenty four....it put us off going away for years.

It all got better after that though. It is nice to go away as you can fix your memories of them at a certain age in a certain place, at home it tends to blur into one.

If you have a demanding toddler they are are going to be difficult wherever they are. I would rather put up with tantrums whilst sat in the sun and benefitting from room service than sat at home trying to do the laundry.

I remember just bending over my toddlers constantly when I was on beach holidays. I lived for their nap time. Or creche time.

You have those magical moments when they're in a floating thing and giggling as you haul them around the pool, but there's a lot of attempts at eating sand inbetween.

'eating sand inbetween.'

Oh yes.

Especially good if it's that sharp, shale type sand.

Lots of fun.

Agree holidays with my kids - 14, 11 and 7 are absolutely brilliant and each one gets better and better but

2 year old wanting to climb over the plane
1 year old wanting to crawl up and down the airport
2 year old overtired and throwing food on the floor in restaurants
Toddler being walked round and round and round and round in the buggy to try and get him to sleep so we can eat as every time buggy stops she screams
20 month old flat on the floor in full blown tantrum every single time you walk past the frigging postcard stand as you won't let him empty it completely

Just no! Long haul with older kids, tour far reach cities, eat in lovely restaurants, read book whilst they play absolutely wonderful.

20 month old flat on the floor in full blown tantrum every single time you walk past the frigging postcard stand as you won't let him empty it completely

love this one. You're such a mean mother.

Hmm. We're on holiday in Devon with dd who are 2 and 4. It is fun but takes planning and unpredictable weather is challenging.

Jealous of those with happily napping toddlers! Neither of mine ever napped at home from the age of 1 so there was no downtime.

As with anything, holidays are easier if you have money to throw at it. We can't afford centre parks. We're self catering and most meals are at home or picnic. It would be more of a holiday if we could go out for lots of meals instead of cooking and cleaning up as we do at home!

It is tiring but so nice to see the dc enjoying themselves and so excited. UK weather is a bit crap but if we get a few days at the beach, I'll be thrilled and the dc will talk about it for months. Dh and I both work and they are in nursery for most of the year so I do think it's lovely to have a fortnight family time.

oldlaundbooth we went to Spain for 2 weeks with my IL's when DD1 (so pale she's practically blue) was 18 months and I was 7 months pregnant, we had a lovely time 😀. And my toddler dropped her nap completely at 17 months! I actually find it easier when they don't nap, you don't have to stress about when/where they'll sleep.

We've always loved taking them away but it isn't the sort of holiday that you would have as just adults.

Camping is great for young kids- but I appreciate lots of people hate the idea and complain about adverse weather etc. It's always worked for us and the French campsites are so well equipped for families and small children.

Maybe you could do something cheap & easy with LO, and save for a proper holiday just yourselves, with the help of willing grandparents! Even a 2/3 night city break can do wonders for your relaxation levels.

Wankershacksandthieves my children are 2 and 3 it's incredibly dangerous for them to go in to a hot tub, so I wouldn't say that me not telling them about it qualifies you to say I don't love them!

So far we've done self catering hols which means breakfasts, lunches and dinners to make, 8 hour drives to do, washing and cleaning to do. The days out are brilliant but to a degree I'm doing exactly the same as I do at home. We go abroad next year which in lookingforward to as it will feel different.

We've just got back from a week in Cyprus with DS1 (2 nearly3) and DS2 (4.5 months). Bloody brilliant. Yes there were moments of stress but I'd much X rather deal with them in an AI resort with massive swimming pools and food and booze on tap.

The DSs spent 2 hours a day (over hot lunchtimes) in the crèche having a wonderful time with English qualifies nannies. Amazing.

I wouldn't do SC by choice. That really is same shit different location.

I actually prefer SC. Not because I cook (I don't), but because we get to explore and eat in all different places that take our fancy.

Worked fine for us with our 3 year old DD. As long as you keep them busy, they are not ill (this is important) and you are not too hung over (doubly important) it works pretty much the same as home.

Glad you had fun, WorldsBiggestGrotbag

My DB and SIL are less miserly than me, so no doubt they'll have a whale of a time!

SIL will actually be 7 months too, I think.

See, Grotbag you also have a point about self catering and discovering different restaurants etc. As long as you are not a martyr and slaving away cooking complicated meals it can be good.

Breakfast at home (cereal etc easy for picky kids) and lunch and supper out. Or make simple stuff like sandwiches, salads etc

We are taking our 18 week old to the states next week! I am slightly panicking tbh and wondering why we thought it was a good idea...

I'm really amazed by the amount of people who struggle with their toddlers on holiday! So holidays are nothing like they used to be, but neither is the rest of my life.

No way on earth would I try and attempt a lazing by the beach/pool type holiday in hot country staying a hotel room with an active toddler. How would that work?! My DS would just get bored, hot and bothered and I'd get annoyed hot & bothered. The idea of trying to get him stay up late for eating out and getting tired and grumpy sounds a nightmare. Then all being squashed in a hotel room together while he sleeps and we twiddle our thumbs on a tiny balcony overlooking the car park definitely doesn't sound much fun.

But we've managed a foreign holiday for the last couple of summers since he was born. And enjoyed it. Camping in Europe and UK - but I'd thought any toddler friendly self catering type accommodation would do equally well. We have driven the last couple of years so we can pack the car with stuff. Although this year we have hired a 2 bed apartment and are flying which will be a bit more of a challenge to pack enough 'stuff', but at least don't need to take the tent!

What works for us is if we stick to routine. So typical day would be up at usual time, lazy breakfast, go to the beach, pool or playground or out to some sort of child friendly attraction, lunch, back to tent/accommodation for his afternoon nap/chill while we crack open the beer/ wine and a book in the sun or one of us goes to the pool for a swim. When he wakes up we might venture to the beach for some late afternoon sun or a play in the pool. Back to accommodation or to pool bar etc for his tea, a bit of playing/ stories then bath and his bedtime. We'll then cook our dinner/ have a little BBQ and more beer/wine, playing cards, eating cheese and reading.

That's it really. Very chilled. No late nights, we only eat out for lunch and make sure we have a BBQ and nice outdoor space for sitting out in the evening. Self catering works best for us. As does having 2 bedrooms/ our big tent/ nice pitch with enough space for us to sit out and watch the world go by once DS is in bed.

Some might say 'same shit, different location' but at least its a sunny and more attractive location than home.

We are taking our 18 week old to the states next week!  I am slightly panicking tbh and wondering why we thought it was a good idea...

Most babies are very easy to take away. They don't go anywhere of their own accord, don't moan about being bored. You just need a few babygrows and a pair of boobs or a bottle and you are off.

I really hope so Phil He's not sleeping very well so I feel exhausted just thinking about the journey, never mind the time difference. I think that's what is worrying me most.

Another thing that we did once the boys started school was to go to Brittany every half term. First couple of years it was camping and then one year it rained for two days. After that we stayed in caravans and it was tons better. Lovely beaches, nice towns and lots of relaxed restaurants.
Happy days!

YABU. The best holidays I had were when my first 4 (under 5) were young. In saying that none of mine had rigid sleep/nap routines so were able to stay up late and we got a lie in in the mornings. Thos were the days when all the kids were happy to do the same thing [sheds a tear] Try holidaying with teens OP. Spend a fortune on holidays wanting to offer them culture and new experiences and they don't want to leave the accomodation because they don't have wifi.

YABU

You can have a lovely time. But IME you have to choose your destination carefully (thinking about how the DC will be entertained). Ideally throw money at a bit of childcare so you get a break, or bring along helpful grandparents. Or at the very least go somewhere catered so you get a break from cooking and clearing up. Or at the very very least go somewhere sunnier than the UK so you are doing the same as at home but in the sun!

We like going SC but eat out at least once a day. We're happy with cereal/ fruit/ yoghurt for breakfast and usually have bread/ croissants, tomatoes, local meats and cheeses for lunch. DS who is very picky is happy and we're happy (we have beer or wine with ours!). We eat out early around 6pm at a nice local restaurant. I wouldn't want to cook on holiday.
At Centreparcs we do cook but not much- pizzas into oven or boiling pasta is all we really do.
I love holidays!