To not travel until they're older ?

[desperatehousewife101]

Kids are 6 months and 2.5. Just pricing up even a last minute trip abroad to Spain , looking at sky high prices plus flights plus 2 passports for kids , as well as all the formula , nappies , kiddy tat we would need.
Aibu to say, we are not going abroad until they are at least 3 and 5 so the older one can have a longer lasting passport and my stress levels can be reduced !
I'm not used to travelling abroad much but dp is a seasoned traveller but hopefully can wait a few years.

Before you’re restricted to school holidays is better, surely. Then the cost becomes really steep.

Things like formula you would need anyway presumably.

Just bear in mind of course that holidays with young children are the most unrelaxing experience in the world!

No! We're not planning on going anywhere abroad until the DC are old enough to remember it. We'll probably wait until they are 10 or so.

Well given that nothing bad will happen from them not going abroad, why would you be unreasonable? Unless it's about keeping up with everyone else

@Grilledaubergines why would we need formula at 3 and 5?!

Personally I love holidays and haven’t stopped going since having kids. I find it much easier than being at home as have two parents there all the time, no household chores to do, no cooking, no washing etc. Agree it’s different to holidaying without kids but for me it’s a good different!

YANBU. We haven’t been abroad for years. DD1 is 4 and DD2 is 20 months. Too much stress! We have been away in the UK to family friendly holiday parks, the kids love it and it’s so much easier to just chuck everything in the car and go!
Still stressful mind, but can’t imagine having to deal with airports, flights, transfers etc with these monsters in tow.

I have converted DP from long haul amazingness to Center Parcs, which we really enjoy . People just keep urging me to take a holiday (had a difficult year ) but I can't bear to part with all that money for a stress fest

YANBU

Travelling with two very young DC isn’t much of a holiday for the parents.

I'm actually feeling relieved just writing this post! Thought I was alone !!
Luckily I'm not fussed about going abroad so I won't miss it!

I think you can have any kind of holiday that suits you and your family. It’s no one’s business but your own.

I think to lots of people “holiday” equals “lying by a pool in a warm country”.

We didn’t take those kind of holidays before the children were born so our kind of holidays didn’t really change.

Op I think re formula she meant note, if you're not bf

OP she meant you would need formula and nappies at home anyway, so wouldn't be paying out more because you're taking them on holiday!

YANBU. I tell you, there is nooooo effing way I'm getting on another aeroplane with an in-arms baby. Or a tantruming toddler. We lucked out the one time we travelled short haul to mainland Europe to visit family when DS was still considered newborn. He slept the whole flight both ways. And if he woke up, he just boobed back to sleep.

I might consider traveling by air again when my son is 3. Maybe.

And tbh being away from home isn't relaxing like it used to be. It's not like we can all put our feet up by the pool and chill for a week with kids.

I think you are wise to wait. But also you might have lots of fun and find that your kids are brilliant travellers.

And the cost is ridic! The Uk has some lovely places to visit too :))))

We didn't take the kids abroad until they were 3 & 6 AND DH works in the industry and gets discounts. Couldn't face the hassle so for a few years chucked it all in the car and did UK self catering. Several family and friends said we were mad but it suited us so who cares. Making up for it now they're older though......

YABU. You know you can buy most of those things across the world

We traveled when ours where young - camping, self-catering, beach, flights ferries and never had an issue and some awesome holidays. Our girls where only 15 months apart.

It’s up to you but I’d do it.

What about UK. We done Shetland to lands end when mine were 15mths and 2.

I found it easier when they were younger!

Holiday in the UK!! I didn't go on holiday abroad until I was 20. I have only been 3 times in total and those holidays were nothing more special than ones in the UK. The fact you can afford Centre Parcs means your children are very very lucky and will have wonderful holidays ! !!

Re passports: children's passports always last five years - the older dc cannot have a passport that will last longer until just before they are sixteen! Yes, it is ridiculous that a 4.11 year old can travel on a document with a baby photo in it, but that's the way it is!

We have one last trip broad this year with DS 2.5 to see relatives then that's it. Two trips last year were horrific due to illness and the stress was too much for me.

Centre Parcs was fab, we're going back this year and I hope to make it an annual thing and explore the UK more. Will only go abroad again when DS is old enough to be happy and settled in a crèche or activity of some kind that means we get a break! We will save hundreds on flights which I will happily spend on petrol so we can always drive home if needs be!

Our dcs did Jamaica, South Africa, France, Dubai, Italy, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia before they were 3. It's not difficult traveling with small kids and we could not have gone so long without exploring and experiencing other cultures, for us this is what makes a holiday.

We didn't take our DD abroad until she was 10 - old enough to be really engaged with somewhere like Pompeii, or get a lot out of water sports holidays. Before that, we had lots of great holidays in the UK. Beach holidays only appeal to us if there's good rockpooling. the only holiday we got wrong was once when she was about 2 going to a cottage which was far too isolated and not enough to do if it rained with a little one.

Each to their own, but if the very idea of flying with your DC is stressful then there's absolutely no need to do it.

Of course YANBU. You are being normal. You are being sensible.
We first took ours abroad at 11, 8 and 5 - an age when they would remember and appreciate it, and when they didn't need to be carried, or kept out of the sun as it's too hot (other than any adult would) , etc. etc.
No idea why people take babies / toddlers abroad. Obviously except to visit family.
Each to their own, however.

I another one who won’t be taking my DS (11 months) untill he’s at least 5 and can remember it and do a decent amount of things. I can’t imagine taking him his abroad now would be that fun for either of us so I don’t see the point. We’ve accepted that means no holidays abroad for us but it’s the price you pay. We are currently holidaying in the UK and having a fine time.