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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To take my children on a long haul holiday?

62 replies

choccywoccywoowah · 12/04/2017 03:17

I graduate next year. It's been a bloody long slog that (if I'm truly honest) has at times left me on the verge of a breakdown. I have been achieving A+ on the whole, but lowest grade has been an A- so I am fucking proud of myself. Over and above 1st class marks.

I want to celebrate by going on the holiday of a lifetime. Only been out of Europe twice in my life. Me and my partner have only been on one holiday (to Tenerife) in out 5 years together. Do I would love to all go to somewhere further (maybe Caribbean, Australia, East Asia). A family member told me that I am selfish as it's me that wants to go long haul and 'there is nothing for children in the Caribbean.' My 2 and 4 year old are full on outdoor lovers so I honestly can't see how Tenerife is more child friendly that other places. Give them a pool and a beach and they are loving it. Also SIL will be coming too.

So am I being incredibly naive and/or selfish for considering taking my children on a long haul trip?

OP posts:

hmcAsWas · 12/04/2017 08:19

It's fine - just make sure you are prepared to be fully engaged entertaining your dc for the whole flight; 8 hours can be hard work with small dc. Will be worth it when you get there

Aebj · 12/04/2017 08:23

Do it. You'll love it. Western Australia is a shorter flight and Perth is great. If you come between June- August the nights are cold ( unless you go to somewhere like Exmouth).
We went to Bali and didn't think much of it.
Hawaii is ok .
Road trips are fantastic. We travelled from Perth, Western Australia to Canberra. Such a laugh
Have fun choosing a fantastic holiday. Your kids will travel well. If you relax and look forward to it, your children will relax also

Trollspoopglitter · 12/04/2017 08:27

I would worry more about the time difference and flying east for the kids, especially if you're going 10 days or so, than the flight. Many 4 year olds will sleep on flight and it's the younger one who you have to entertain the entire time but you won't be flying alone with them so not that scary.

baconsandwiches · 12/04/2017 08:28

What's better than showing your children the world, teaching them about different cultures and all the things out there on different contintents? How can that possibly be selfish! I think if you can afford it, not taking your children to see as many places as possible is inexcusable.

Kiroro · 12/04/2017 08:29

I flew first at 3 months... why on earth shouldn't you take the children away as long as they are the kinds of children that can be relatively happy on a plane

LagunaBubbles · 12/04/2017 08:29

We did a California road trip when youngest was 5, amazing! He was used to long trips in cars as we had driven to France from Scotland since he was a baby. Yep got a few negative comments from people about him being bored in the car etc and why didnt we just take him to Disney - nothing against Disney we just didn't want to! It's as if some people can't appreciate other people enjoy different holidays. He loved It!

And why can't you take an I pad on board?

BusyBeez99 · 12/04/2017 08:29

Can take iPads unless travelling from certain countries

BadToTheBone · 12/04/2017 08:30

Plenty of things to distract them on the flight and it's fine. Do it!

Nordicwannabe · 12/04/2017 08:30

We had an AMAZING holiday in Sri Lanka when DD was 3.5. She still talks about it a year later. So do we

The key thing for a successful holiday with kids is to find a balance between things which kids love (pool, beach, park) and activities which interest the adults - but crucially are still accessible to the kids. We found Sri Lanka perfect for that since we could do short half-day excursions (an elephant ride, 3 hour safari, village trip, tea plantation visit, tea factory tour) and then spend the rest of the day at the pool or beach.

You do need to make sure you don't try to pack in too much and exhaust everyone. You also need to accept there will be some places you won't visit which you would have pre-kids (I find that even a temple or 2 is ok - but archaeological sites hold no interest for small children...). Active things can also be tricky - e.g. something brief like a sky-dive or bungie jump would be possible if you take it in turns, but things like diving or a high-altitude hike aren't so easy. But if you choose the right place there will be enough there to have a great time.

The logistic things which make a difference are:

Make the flight as painless as poss: direct flights, come prepared.
Food: think about what your children are like with food. When DD was 2, self-catering was the only option (my favourite was a hotel with restaurants but also with kitchenette in our room). Now we can reliably eat out. Food in Sri Lanka was great - and they bent over backwards to make DD food she would like. Might have been a bit tricky if she wouldn't eat fish or chicken (chips are always a stand-by!)
Transport over there: make it as easy as possible (and remember you will have a LOT of luggage!) Car hire is good. In Sri Lanka we hired a car and driver, which was amazing and meant we could travel around the island and see so much, without any difficulty.

I don't think it's selfish at all to go on a long-haul holiday! Do think carefully about where you go and what you do, and you will be making incredible family memories.

I'd thoroughly recommend Sri Lanka. If you'd like more info, feel free to pm me.

Munted · 12/04/2017 08:34

Amazing achievement, well done. Another vote for NZ (from an unbiased kiwi!). Enjoy your trip.

Nordicwannabe · 12/04/2017 08:37

Oh, also think about whether the destination you're considering is malarial: best to avoid anti-malarials with little ones.

And of course, you'll take sensible precautions with loads of high factor sun screen, hats, staying in the shade during the hot part of the day, and LOADS of water.

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 12/04/2017 08:39

Take them now before you have to worry about school holidays

tinypop4 · 12/04/2017 08:42

no you're not. I've travelled long haul with my DC (out of necessity to be honest) - DC1 has loved it from about 3 - she just slept and watched the inflight entertainment! DC2 was a bit challenging as a toddler but take a lot of snacks and you'll manage.
My advice would be:
take a night flight - they should sleep for a good chunk that way and it's less entertainment for you to do.
take lots of snacks - the plane food isn't always great for the little ones.
If you go East, go for as long as you can afford. Jet lag can be brutal in that direction and take a week or so for everyone to be sleeping properly. This isn't very relaxing!
Have a good time and congratulations.

Oly5 · 12/04/2017 08:43

We always go long haul and our kids love it! Travel is good for them, they learn so much.
Your family are being ridiculous.
Enjoy!
And yes you can take laptops and iPads on most flights

HalfCarrot · 12/04/2017 08:43

At those ages they won't be up for much more than beach and playgrounds so it seems like a lot of hassle and money to go so far. If you think the extra distance would make it worth it for you then go for it.

Bluntness100 · 12/04/2017 08:44

I'm not seeing the relatives issue either, the kids will have a brilliant time. I also suspect they are jealous.

Congrats on the exam results and well done. Have your holiday where you please.

Ps if in the U.K. Mauritius is much further, I think about 12 hours. We are off to the Caribbean this summer and I picked it over Mauritius because eight or nine hours on a plane is doable for us, after that I just find it too long and uncomfortable.

RainbowsAndUnicorn · 12/04/2017 08:50

I wouldn't, too hot, the flight is too long and they won't remember anything about the holiday at that age so it may as well be in the UK.

SoupDragon · 12/04/2017 08:57

DSs have been travelling long haul to Antigua since they were 4 and 2. Which is before iPads so that makes this "I would feel verry sorry for the other passenges if DC begin to get bored. .. which given they can't take an iPad on board to watch movies is now a certainty." laughable. There is this magical thing called "in flight entertainment" plus other toys, the things children used to play with before the invention of the electronic babysitter!

DD has been going there since she was 6 months old. I'm not sure what age she, or her brothers, remember it from but they have had a fabulous time for the two weeks they were there each time.

it may as well be in the UK.

Apart from the shit weather.

Headofthehive55 · 12/04/2017 08:57

It's a no from me, mine didn't like the heat and hated beaches.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 12/04/2017 09:00

No, you're not being selfish to take them long haul. What an odd concept!

I've also done Australia to UK every year since we moved over here in 2009, when DS1 was 2 - he's now 9 and DS1 is 4, and our annual trip to see family is non-negotiable while my Dad is still alive.
The boys are just used to it now - settle down and watch video on demand, sleep a lot, eat some (I always take food for in between the meals because they often don't want the airline food or are sleeping when it comes around) and we just Get On With It.

anothermalteserplease · 12/04/2017 09:01

People can be pretty divided about travel. Some are absolutely for it and some very much against kids on flights, kids going to hot countries etc.
We've travelled long haul with our children since they were all babies. The flights are intense when they're toddlers but after the age of about 2 they're usually able to be distracted by technology, colouring, snacks. We never plan anything much the day after travelling as we're always exhausted that day but a day by the pool isn't too much of hardship. You've worked hard and I say go for the holiday you want to.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 12/04/2017 09:02

I've never used iPad/tablets on the flights either. Colouring/sticker books and a few toys for when they don't want to watch videos, and most of the stuff never makes it out of DS1's bag anyway.

AnnieAnoniMouse · 12/04/2017 09:04

Congratulations 💐🍾🥂. Go where the hell you want to! Ignore the daft relative.

Having said that. If it was me, I'd want to make sure the long haul travel & expense was worth it. You don't gave to go to Tenerife, there are loads of lovely places in/near Europe with pretty much guaranteed sun in the summer. If all you want is a beach/pool holiday, I'd do that. I wouldn't bother going long haul to sit by a pool or on a beach (I love both!).

However, if you plan on going out & seeing/doing stuff then (to me) it's worth the long haul expense & inconvenience.

But do what YOU want to, it's YOUR celebration, YOUR money & YOUR kids!

Your relative knows not of what they speak 🙄😁

BlueBlueSkies · 12/04/2017 09:05

YANBU

We took DS at 18 months and again at 3 to California. He was fine on the flight and had a great time. He may not remember much, but I do and the memories of those holidays are lovely.

Have a great time.

llangennith · 12/04/2017 09:07

Agree with all the positive comments but I'd be careful about when you go if you choose somewhere like Sri Lanka where the humidity is very high for a few months of the year.

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