Taking a toddler on holiday abroad

[belleshelles]

So DP is having a shitty time at work and fancies a holiday abroad as a family. DD would be 20 months by the time we plan on going. We've found a lovely place in Spain that's all inclusive and has facilities suitable for DDs age range (soft play area, indoor spaces for babies and toddlers, playground, kiddy pool etc etc). We've never taken DD abroad on a holiday. Last time we did anything holiday like was when we went to visit family on the coast when DD was 10 months. We've ferried her back and forth from mainland Europe a few times as we have family who live there, so I'm not new to flying with a baby/toddler. MIL has started to put doubts in my head as to whether DD would enjoy it, which is starting to put me off. She thinks it'll be too hot, DD will be restless and that we'll basically spend the whole holiday miserable. She thinks we should wait until DD is older before going abroad. Anyone had any experience of taking a toddler on holiday abroad? And should I listen to MIL and just go visit family on the coast again instead?

It’s a lovely time to take them away. Take a buggy so she can nap outside during the day.

When are you planning on going?

Yes I would do it. I have very fond memories of taking my two away when they were little.

I did it with mine. W ds1 it was fine and he lived it. Ds2 at the same age was quite unsettled and I still wince when I remember the look of relief and happiness on his little face when we arrived back home after 2 weeks. Poor kid obviously thought he'dnever see it again.

In short, 20 months is a tricky age to predict. But in your situation Id go.

I’ve been on foreign beach/pool holidays with a 19m and later a 23m old. We had a lovely time. I prioritised a) day time flights and b) having a fridge/kitchen for easy snacks/early breakfast etc c) separate part of room/balcony so we could be awake when toddler was asleep.

She will have a lovely time - parents, sunshine and a new playpark. Your mil is being strange, you will not have the same holiday as you did pre-kids. Is that what she is trying to warn you about?

I'd go - we took out eldest to France aged 22 months and he loved it. Plus you don't have to pay for a seat on the plane when they're under two

I'd definitely go OP. I've taken my DS on several holidays abroad, mainly to Spain and he's always loved it! Last one was when he was about 10 months. We're going again soon and he'll be 19 months. Access to the pool will cool her down, they'll probably be air con (I must say this was really, really food for us) so if he was suffering with the heat we'd just hang out inside for a while, it was also great for naps and night sleep as it was same temp as home.
Eating out was fun and he napped in the buggy. You know your child best but I would say go for it and don't let MIL put you off!

I'd go. I never took mine that young (couldn't afford it) but my took her son at around that age. They all had lovely time, though she did say for her boy, it wouldn't have made any difference whether they were there or in Devon. He wasn't miserable with the heat or anything though, so if you fancy a trip abroad, then go for it.

Definitely go! Your LO will love it and holidays abroad once you have flight out of the way are no harder than hols in the UK.

You’ll have a ball - I took mine from about 3 months and took 2 under 2 as well. I always think other countries are much more accepting of children than the UK so easier for meals etc

If you can afford it, buy an extra seat for dd on the flight. Only as dd will be in your lap. When goes back from Oz with dd2 who was 13mo, I bought an extra seat so she had a seat during the flight. Obviously for take off and landing she was on my lap. But great during the flight for her to have her own seat.

Took both my dds on holidays abroad from early age including long haul to Florida at around the same age as your little one - they’ve always had a brilliant time - bit of time in the shade / long lunch when it’s too hot but other than that no problems at all. I never understand when people think we’re crazy travelling with small kids - if you’re relaxed about it I think they will be.

Agree with the suggestion about paying for a seat on the flight for her if you can. We went to Lanzarote last year when DS2 was 21 months. He's quite tall and very strong so 4 hours with him climbing all over me was a nightmare on the plane. Other than that we had a lovely time! We went all inclusive and he loved the pool, food, sunshine, everything!

We've travelled with both our DC since the eldest was 6m. We've found adding in an extra nap at teatime before we go out for dinner works really well as the heat does seem to tire them out more. They do go to bed later than usual but tend to lie in so we just shift our whole day later. As a PP mentioned having a kitchenette and a separate sleeping/sitting area is really helpful. We've actually got two bedrooms this year which will be fab for putting the kids down at night.

We traveled a lot with ours (lived overseas) and it was fine. You need to go with the flow - nap time etc won't be fixed and bed time needs to be flexible too. Take a pushchair (ideal for evening meals if they fall asleep and have a great time!

We did it when DS was 20 month and it was possibly the worst week of my life! Never again

Ex and I took DD to Sydney (admittedly from NZ) when she was 2, I wouldn't say it was hell but it wasn't particularly enjoyable.

We probably went unprepared and not very well planned, didn't help she finally started walking. DD felt out of place, nightmare with the time difference, and she got bored.

Our hotel had a pool but was ages away from any beach other than Bondi (I wasn't taking her there lol), there were not particularly any child friendly stuff on offer at the Hotel. Effectively we just wandered around Sydney....

Done it with both of ours. Lots of fond memories. It can be hard work too, but definitely worth it - just don't expect too much, don't try to cram in doing too much and go with your flow a bit.