to go on an All Inclusive Holiday??

[TheClitterati]

I'm a single parent (now lone parent as DC no longer seeing their father - long stressful story, much pressure on me) - 2 DC, 7 & 10. I work FT.

All Inclusive/Package holidays are not normally my/our thing - we usually go glamping, or to a cottage in UK, or to visit friends and family. This year I was planning on Inter Railing around northern Europe for a couple of weeks as youngest is now 7 and can take a small suitcase herself. We like exploring and have always had lovely holidays.

But....

We've had a mega year, with lots of stress, anxiety, change and tension. DD1 has 11+ exams coming in early September. 7yo has been anxious to the max and we are working on that now, but it has all come down to me. And I have been super stressed out - some days I honestly feel like I might have a breakdown or physical collapse.

The though of 2 weeks of sun, reading, with all food prepared, not washing up etc sounds heavenly. Inter railing, though it would be amazing, is just too much on me to plan out at this stage - it feels too much. Not enough rest involved. A cottage is lovely but there is no break for me from cooking, cleaning etc.

All Inclusive is more than I would usually pay - a lot more. But we all really really need to chill out and have fun. I'd choose somewhere with a water park and kids club and I am thinking of going to a resort in an area not far from where friends live, so we can have some evenings off site visiting with them. So I'm thinking fuck the money, spend some savings and lets do it! Its what savings are for right???

Not sure if I might have completely lost my mind just thinking about this. But 2 weeks of same same food and deckchair/towel wars might just finish me off. AIBU to go? Will I really hate it? What do I need to look out for when choosing somewhere?

On the plus side the DC love pools and I have a large reading list.

I'm currently on an AI holiday with my DD and DP. And I have done inter-railing (in my single and childless years).

This is our first family holiday (DD is 20 months) and I don't think we'll ever go on a self catering holiday until she is a lot older and can understand fully the history and significant of such places. Going to the pool and not bringing a purse for ice-cream and drinks is glorious. The only money we have spent have been on excursions and one dinner in a restaurant out of the resort.

We may have got lucky in that our hotel food was delicious and differed every night, had a water park and was right on the beach.

Go for it, and enjoy the relaxation

Personally, I always get cabin fever on a 2 week AI break and end up eating out for the 2nd week. There's so much to explore on a holiday it seems a shame to be stuck eating and drinking in one complex. If I was going again for the full two weeks the only way I would do AI is in a resort where you could eat out in 4 or 5 different places.

Do your research, you might find that b&b is cheap enough to budget to eat and drink out for an evening meal. Especially if you have a big late breakfast (so no lunch needed)

Or maybe think about a week or 10 days AI, instead of the full 2 weeks. Honestly, the cabin fever experience is the worst. It's horrible wishing for home when you're on holiday, and being forced to spend more than you bargained for just to get some time out.

I can’t remember which poster said about the one on the beach? If you’re reading this could you tell the name of it please?