When did you start enjoying holidays with the kids?

[Holidayhell18]

I'm going to sound like an absolute cow I know, but here goes.

DH lost his grandma recently and she left him some money which he decided he wanted to spend on a family holiday to a 'dream destination'.

We're here. It's hell.

DD is 12 months, has just started walking and is into everything. This means she won't keep still and is forever darting off, giving me a heart attack whenever we're near the pool. We took her to the beach but she hated the sand. It's so so hot and I'm struggling to find anything to keep her occupied. The resort is ok but only has a small play area and I don't want her there all day especially in the mid day heat.

I'm a SAHM and normally it's fine because I've built a great little routine for us of groups and classes and friends but here it feels like those first few weeks again where I was totally clueless. DH tries but he'll pack the bag and forget nappies or wipes or hats etc... so I have to take control of everything.

Where we are is beautiful and somewhere I'd have loved to come before children, but I feel like I'm in mourning for my life (my holiday life) pre children where we could eat late and get drunk and lie on a sun lounger reading trashy novels.

So how long was it before you could relax and actually enjoy your holiday? Or does everyone do that already and I'm a shitty person and terrible mother??

when would you not enjoy a holiday with your children?

personally I think it may be better to avoid beaches and very hot weather with babes. Just do some think else until they are 3 or 4.

something else, not some think else.

DS is 17mths old.
So far we’ve done 10nts Majorca, 7nts CenterParcs and 5nts Disneyland Paris.
He’s been walking since 10mths. We’ve absolutely loved every single second of our holidays, they’ve all been amazing.

My kids are 16...21 and 22 and they stay behind now when i go on holiday...its my one week of the year when i can switch off and think only of myself...it also makes the holiday so cheap when its just you and your partner going.

Resurrecting this thread! It’s so painful! In a beautiful location but tied to the room, taking turns with a child who more recently can’t deal with cafes, busy market squares, anything! He won’t even go in the pool. I’m also a sahm and mourning my old life more than ever!

When you can’t do anything, even go down to breakfast together due to meltdowns. Maybe my case is a bit more specific though.

That sounds tough. It takes a long time to move on from the grief of lost freedom and it especially comes into sharp focus on holidays.

I guess my advice would be once the mourning ends (and this is a real thing) to carve out time to enjoy small things. If you’re taking turns, what can you do/where can you go with your time? How can you best make use of that time? Where can you go that would be enjoyable for you all that you perhaps haven’t considered? Perhaps hire a car and find a pretty quiet hill village with stunning views and a nice cafe with an area DC can run around in safely etc?

My hack has been to take at least one other family member with if possible - grandparent, aunt/uncle (& a cousin) or god parents. It can get a bit intense otherwise as kids are just so demanding of your time and energy. Also to let go of the pressure and expectation of creating a beautiful and perfect experience for everyone (women are more socialised to do this), and accept that there will be some shit moments, for everyone, and that’s ok. My twins are 8.5 and it’s now getting better and better every time we travel. 🙏🏽