To wonder what holidays are suitable for what age?

[TheGoogleMum]

Currently on maternity leave with my 6 month old and the only holiday we have planned is a week with my parents in Devon. We were considering a short mon-fri type break in a cabin in November which we did a couple of years ago but can't help feeling it might just be more hard work then relaxing with a baby (DD would be around 1). There was a thread recently where people said when under 2 holidays aren't really holidays. What holidays are the easiest/most enjoyable with young children (and what age?). DH is a bit snobby for Butlins but I would consider it if it's likely to be a good bet (is it better once DD is 2 or 3 though?)

I don’t have personal experience of this, but my brother and SIL have basically done the exact same holidays with their baby as they would have done without. They went on a long weekend break to Amsterdam with some friends of theirs who don’t have a baby when he was about 3 months. This year he’s going to Italy for 2 weeks to a villa and then to my SIL’s home country for a couple or weeks in November. They really wanted to carry on having holidays as they always had so have just been very organised about it and they say it has been absolutely fine. He is an easy going baby though, which I am sure makes a difference!

We also have friends who took their 1yo to Vietnam for 3 weeks and said it was amazing. Again though, quite a chilled baby!

I don't understand people who don't like holidays, they have always been the best time of the year for me, even with kids.

If nothing else, you have at least 2 adults on hand instead of one, and when you work, the difference is huge - no rush, no strict routine, it's lovely. Just don't try to recreate your pre-kid holidays.

With a 1 year old, anywhere you enjoy as long as it's not too hot, and you have more than 1 room. Plan the day around the usual naps. Everything you do is new, everywhere is interesting, so you don't have to think about entertaining them.

Butlins is my idea of hell, but I think 3-5 year old can have a good time there, no interest in them for a baby.

You won't change the fact that you have a baby, but a holiday is still immensely more relaxing that being home!

It's only hard with toddlers on long flights: old enough to want to crawl and explore, too young to be distracted by books, drawing, stickers and movies.

Apart from that, it's all pretty easy if you are organised.

I'm intrigued as I have a 13 month old and a 2.5 year old, plus 8yo DSD, and would love to go away for a few nights in the summer somewhere. Bluestone in West Wales is nice, like a low key Centre Parcs.

We took my eldest to Cyprus at 5 months and that was hard work because it was like being at home but in nice weather that I couldn't enjoy! I still had to give her 6 bottles a day and sterilise, she wouldn't sleep, she screamed on the plane, had to stay in the shade etc. She did like swimming though. I agree with the PP that it's about your expectations really.

Holidays are holidays.you have to adjust your expectations, but we've loved every holiday we've had

We took our dd abroad twice last year (when she was 7 months and 9 months old). We also did a caravan holiday when she was 4 months, and have just come back from 5 days in cornwall (16 months).

If you go abroad, fly over night as baby is more likely to sleep, that's what we found.

With a baby that small i wouldn't bother with Butlins, take the opportunity to do your normal sort of holiday, you just need to adjust for naps etc

I’m highly suspicious of people who don’t like holidays, even with small children.

What holidays do you like doing?

Butlins would be pointless unless you want to go!

We took our 7month old DS long haul last month. I had to go back to the hotel room for naps but other than that it was pretty easy - I personally wouldn't do long haul with a toddler though. We were also AI so it was amazing not having to worry about cooking and tidying for a while!

Other than that it's about adjusting expectations and planning around naps. We used to enjoy hiring a cottage and doing walking g holidays, we are skipping these for a while because I just dont fancy the idea of basically moving all his stuff from our house to another and then having to stay in during the evening.

We’ve done whatever holidays we’ve wanted and the kids have been fine. Long flights aren’t too relaxing and you do have to factor in feeding times and nappy changes but apart from that, it’s been great.

It's still a holiday. A break from normal life and two parents on hand. You just lower your expectations and don't expect to sunbathe for hours! We love taking the kids away - it's more about them than us but that's how we like it on family holidays. Do as you'd normally do.

We flew to Dubai (7 hours) with DS1 at 18 months. Got a night flight, so slept the whole time.
Flew to the Maldives (11 hours and then 3/4 of a hour sea plane) with DS1 at 3 years and DS2 at 9 months. 3 years old are far more easy to entertain. But got a night flight again, so both slept the majority of the flight.
Then went back to Dubai for DS2's 1st birthday and DS1 still 3.
Been away to other countries but short haul..
Flights have never been an issue..nor the holidays! We go to hot countries..it's a piece of cake!
I find from our experiences babies and toddlers take more naps on holiday..swimming and playing all day, is very tiring to them 😊
My children absolutely love being on holiday..the only part they both dislike, is suncream application!

With one baby on holiday at night time you will find they will happily sleep in their pram, so you can still go out and have lovely dinners etc..it's all still the same!

Do it! To us it's magical being away on holiday and far far easier than at home, cleaner everyday, all meals cooked for us, no washing pots! Just relaxation and quality time with you baby 😊

Really depends on what kind of holiday experience your after?? There's obvz not as much lying in the sun reading a book time! 😂
Going away with kids can be trying but also quite rewarding, also being stressed out in the sunshine it a lot better than being in the ul stressed out 🤣🤣
I always take my two abroad and have done when they were as young as 10 months, it's logistically harder but lots of fun too. X

I would also add it depends what type of baby you have. Ours wouldn't sleep in the pram at night in a restaurant, he is used to his bed, so we knew we had to eat early.

I loved all holidays when the kids were younger - especially with a pool (& as you have DH around a discussion before about taking turns to have responsibility for the kids/extra time in bed etc so you both have a moment to relax as well as enjoy time together!).

I’ve found holidays with a sulky 15 year old far harder than the days where everything can be solved by distraction or an ice cream..

Under 2 is a change of scenery rather than a holiday but it's still good to get a change of scene. We did Brittany and easy things like that at that age.

We went backpacking and took 2000 mile road trips! Babies and toddlers are so flexible computing when they reach school age. They fit around you as long as you meet their needs. No they won't want to sit in one spot by the pool while you drink all day but I have never taken that sort of holiday. My suggestions (assuming U.K. based and on an average type budget) are taking the car to northern Spain and driving along the Atlantic coast, France, or even driving down to Italy - by driving you can take whatever kit you feel you need. We co slept and I breastfed so camping at 4 months was a doddle. I was quite young, I might struggle more now o suppose but babies really are not hard to travel with

I think a cabin in November in the UK with a 1 year old could be tricky. Unless you have a very clear idea about the activities you would do.

1 year olds are not keen on sitting or standing in one place, it will be cold and muddy...

Always check what provisions you need or what is supplied. Like a PP we co slept which made life easier. A separate area, even if just a patio if hot, so you can relax after baby is in bed was a must.

Center parcs could be good. I personally wasn't a fan of bluestone but some people e like it.

I used to love city breaks, but I found with young kids and babies, countryside holidays are better. Just personal preference, but in cities I'd be annoyed that I can't stay as long as I'd like at a museum or go to a great bar.

Holidays that I remember particularly fondly with babies are staying in rainy Brittany for a week. Lots of long, damp walks, great food and a fab house for cheap because we went in autumn.
Hiking in the Austrian Alps. We had a family room in a catered cabin for our 5 year old and 3 months old. Just going with the flow and bring totally fine with the fact that we all went to bed at 8pm.
And a big family holiday with grandparents, aunts, cousins etc in Tuscany. Lots of adults happy to help with holding the baby, giving my husband and me some time off.

I think the key is to have realistic expectations and just enjoy spending time together.

We went to Dubai and stayed in a hotel with waterpark/aquarium etc. It was amazing, ds was 12 months and he had a fab time on the toddler slides in the water. We also went to Turkey at 18 months old. He loved the beach, the pools, the entertainment. Were planning to go to NY this summer. In my experience, you have a baby whether you're at home or on holiday. So why not go and enjoy being somewhere else for a bit? It wasnt especially stressful bar the flights. We all had a lovely time, go and enjoy!

We've always continued with having holidays in the sun. The lack of sunbathing / reading time was a shock first time round but agree with pp about 2 pairs of hands, no set schedule etc. Weve holidayed every year, or more if finances have allowed. We did a Cornwall holiday once which was fantastic for 4 plus, however we got amazing weather and I wonder if we'd have had as good a time in the rain.

Surprised how many people say they don't trust people who don't like holidays - I do like holidays! It's just if it's the same as being at home just with less of the facilities I'm used to that isn't very appealing....

I really don't fancy trying to go on a plane with a baby or toddler as much as it is nice to go abroad, I look forward to doing that in a few years. Bluestone sounds nice might try that one next year :) I think we will skip the November break as we liked staying in cuddled up but DD will get a bit bored!

I might look into Brittany too since a couple of you have mentioned there :)

It really depends on your child and your expectations.

DD was a terrible sleeper in a buggy, nap was ok but any idea of her sleeping while we were eating out in the eveing or sitting with a drink was never to materialise. So we did self catering, either went out for a meal a bit earlier (like 6.30pm) and back to the cottage for the typical 8pm bedtime and DH and I enjoyed an evening together or we cooked a simple meal/did cold cuts and bread.

We also don't really like typical AI resorts. We did this kind of holiday as DD is a single child and enjoyed kids club entertainment but she was 7 the first time we went.

We also like exploring, DD was carried around museums, stately homes etc since birth.

I never found that sc holidays are not a holiday, I rent a home with all applicances I have at home, do as little as I can and just enjoy the days.

We flew with DD as we have our family back in Germany and it is not too difficult but I found having our own car just a bit easier so France is a good area, you can drive and make stops when as as needed.