Self catering isn't a holiday. It's the same rubbish in a different location.

[wintersdawn]

We are currently 3 days into a 10 day self catering holiday and I'm sick of it already. My DH loves self catering holidays as they are a break from work and a different location and he can spend the whole time winding down from work and enjoying the break from the commuting routine.

But for me it's just the same shit in a different place, DD6 and DS4 still wake up early no matter how late we let them stay up. We either head off somewhere for the day which seems to always cost a fortune or involve lots of driving or stay in the house but without all their normal toys and entertainment options. We aren't near a beach this time which would normally give the children hours of entertainment, as we are staying in a relations house whilst they are away to save money. We don't have the budget to eat out each night and so the same cleaning, cooking, washing crap happens as it would at home.

I know we needed a cheap holiday this year as we've just had to replace the car and we did the kitchen at the start of the year but this is the 4th year in a row of self catering and I'm over them.

I can't be the only one who gets dragged down by self catering? Can I?

I have avoided them for that very reason!

YANBU sounds a bit miserable. What's your DH doing as it sounds like you're doing all the work? It's your holiday too!

God yes I totally agree with you. I now refuse to do self catering holidays because it literally is same shit different place. My reason now is if we can't afford all inclusive/half board we don't go.

It does get easier when the kids are a bit older :)

We like SC holidays as I actually enjoy cooking and shopping in foreign supermarkets. It's each to their own I guess.

Your dh is a cheeky twat if he expects you to facilitate his self-catering holiday. Tomorrow morning make him get up and cook, clean, entertain the kids.

You're not on holiday you're house sitting. I love sc.

Yes at the moment we're at an all inclusive holiday camp place in France (DH is French) which we snobbishly thought would be awful and only booked because DH's sister was meant to be here with her kids (but got pregnant again and cancelled) - and actually it is really relaxing! No shopping or cooking, no constant snacking for the kids either, and they go to a playgroup for two hours every morning so DH and I even get to have a swim and a coffee together. We're going to book again for next year! Boys are 2 and 4 so pretty high maintenance.

Totally agree with you OP.

I don't see the attraction of self catering at all

I used to feel like this, and refused to do it when my four kids were young. But now they are older, it's great! We all (incl DH) take turns to cook, so I only have to do it once a week. Hang in there!

Absolutely!!

Same with camping! I was so so looking forward to my camping holiday, 10 days in the sun, in the middle of a really busy time at work. We are home now and more tired than when we went, and work is crazy for another month or so. I also have a house full of camping gear!

I like self catering because eating out is stressful for me.

However, my DP would not just relax and let me do all the work. That wouldn't be a holiday for me at all.

Kalidasa - do you mind telling us where you are? Always good to get a recommendation (and sounds great).

I think the kids are a red herring. DH is the problem. My DH & I have gone self catering the last 2 years, with DD (5) & it was great. We roughly share childcare, chores etc. I work F/T, & DH is a F/T student, no way would I let him duck out of his fair share & I wouldn't dream of assuming he should do it all, even though I'm the only wage earner.

kalidasa whats it called, sounds fab.

OP the only time I'll do self catering is camping. I will never do it on another holiday because it just isn't a holiday. I feel for you. Get your DH to get up with kids and take them out for the day by himself so you can read, laze in bath, drink wine.

Oh, @kalidasa that sounds quite good! Whereabouts is it?

I completely concur OP. Same shit, different place, especially if you're a SAHP. And quite often these places also don't have a dishwasher so you end up doing MORE work than you would have done.

This is also my view on caravan holidays.

Oooo please tell me about the holiday camp in France kalidasa??

OP you could always go home a few days early to get a break from everyone else?? Not ideal I know but a few lie-ins and lunch with a mate?

It gets easier. I generally plan meals that take v little cooking. We have a take away one night, eat out one night and then do easy pasta dishes or BBQ style things. I make sure we have a different routine so it feels like a holiday. For example, we tend to eat and then go for a walk, go into town, take the kids to the park etc, so you don't just end up on the sofa like you would at home.
Hope things improve.

I totally agree with you wintersdawn.

Oh no I'm going on my first SC hoilday abroad next month with my hubby and a 3 year old. Maybe it will be my first and last back to a hotel next year

I have a rule that the only thing I cook on holiday is toast
It's not a holiday if you're cooking and cleaning IMHO

I loath them, just got back from a week in a caravan sc. It was hellish cooking, washing up and trying to keep it relatively tidy in a tiny kitchen/lounge. Would rather have cooked in my own kitchen. It's not a holiday, or relaxing. Said to dh when we got back next year all inclusive or half board hotel as not doing it again

Its better when the kids are older. Cooked dinner tonight looking out over a scottish loch with wine in my hand. My tips:
Eat out at least 3 times.
Choose the easiest possible meals.
Choose somewhere with a full size dishwasher.
Have two teams for cooking (you and a dc, dh and a dc), alternate nights, same for washing up.
Everyone makes their own packed lunch (even if you make sandwiches, little ones can pick their fave biscuits or extras, and lunches save so much money).
Stuff expensive attractions, we know what we like, walks, swimming and beaches. Might spend money on outdoor attractions.

It's a belambra holiday place in Provence (there are loads of them but this one is quite an old one and nowhere near the sea so cheaper than some). Accommodation quite basic and v small which I thought would be awful but it has actually been ok as the weather is so good (and admittedly also because we accidentally booked something bigger than we needed). We'll probably go to a different Belambra next year though as we like to go out to see local churches/villages etc and it's quite touristy round here. Totally French speaking though - I am the only 'anglaise' in the entire place and the only other non french person is a german guy, also married to a french woman. Clearly everyone knew I was 'the English woman' within about 24 hours - feel like a minor celebrity. Part of the attraction for us because boys are bilingual but we live in London - but might be a bit offputting if you/the children don't have good French.

I love self catering, we have never been on holiday to a hotel.

We cook lovely, easy rubbishy things we never would at home.

Relax our rules on staying up late, ice cream, chocolate and wine, play lots of board games, read books and watch movies.

Everyone, including the kids helps out with dishes and tidying and there's no rush to get it done.

You just need to relax into it a bit.