to wonder why parents take a toddler abroad on holiday

[boozybritabroad]

I'm currently on holiday. At the airport saw parents stressed out with toddlers. Airport shop toddlers wanting LOL dolls causing arguments, parents losing their shit. On the plane toddlers running riot - parents losing their shit. At the hotel toddlers screaming all day. Surely it's better just to leave them at home so you can enjoy a bit of peace and quiet?

First took my ds abroad at 3.5yrs. We had a great time. He was so well behaved discovering things for the first time and new environments.

Haven't RTFT but WHAT?

We had no one to leave the DC with for so much as a weekend, so it was take them or have no bloody holiday for years.

Plus, yunno, we quite liked our DC even when they were little. We had some great holidays, both them and the adults.

I think probably living in general is best done without toddlers, having raised 4. Just close your eyes for the next 3 years or so, and meditate.

Stupid Aibu.

Aibu to think the op has no imagination if she wonders why people take their toddlers abroad with them????

I don't see why boozy Brits can't stay at home, instead of ruining it for the rest of us

My deay, you really need to be a little more selective about the places you frequent, go cheap, you'll get cheap and deserve it! Chin Chin.

We’ve always had lovely holidays with DS.
Some tips

1. We go with my parents- 4 against 1 is a good ratio
2. Stick at one child

I agree. Looks so stressful travelling with a toddler and can be pretty grim for everyone else on the plane.

Adult only hotels are brilliant though and means you can avoid annoying toddlers and parents.

I’m very much of the 'same shit, less convenient location' school of thought

Depends on the holiday i guess.We did sunny AI holidays,there was shit but no cooking or cleaning. Entertainment on tap. Clubs if really needed. Plus two parents in charge which only happened at weekends when at home. And she actually slept.

I’ve been taking my kids since they were 5 months old on long haul holidays. Hubby and I deserved those holidays and as a result of all the travelling, they are the best behaved kids on flights and in airports. Not a peep out of them even on an 11 hour flight.

Been out for dinner twice since our twins were born (2.5 years ago). Are you offering to babysit for a week OP?

Yep, I'm with Tigerlilly. We've always taken DS on holidays abroad and we flew to Scotland regularly when he was younger as it's quicker than a very long car journey cooped up in a car seat.

We flew home from New Zealand when he was four years old (inherited some money and wanted to do a once in a lifetime holiday before he started school). The people behind us tapped me on the shoulder as we left the plane and my heart sank even though I knew he was as good as gold. The lady said she wanted to say how much she wished the adults behind her had been like DS as she'd have had a better journey.

Now he's 12 he knows his way around an airport, is ready for security (we used to call the body checks 'tickles' so he wasn't worried about having a pat down if needed), knows where to find flight information and is generally relaxed about the whole process. Including the time we circled Aberdeen airport for half an hour in a snow storm and had really nasty turbulence on another flight.

Kids soon learn but it all takes practice.

Best time ever taking little ones on holiday. It’s teenagers that are hard work for me!

I think you're probably right that depending on the DC sometimes foreign holidays with toddlers aren't worth the effort but YABVU to assume most people can just happily leave them at home. We have fairly involved families but no way could we just dump young DC on them for a week so we could swan off on holiday!

Surely one leaves little Tarquin at home with the nanny and the housekeeper?

You seem rather horrible OP. I don't have children but I love going abroad with my little nephews. Yes it's challenging but we are also creating priceless memories.
Get back in your bubble now.

From watching home movies I recently found out I was left at home whilst my parents and brother went on a family holiday. My mum couldn’t remember who they’d left me with and she said it was because I was “annoying at that age.”

Genuinely still fuming about it!

We love going on holiday with our toddler. It’s definitely not same shit different day.. our usual days dont involve beaches, ice cream, swimming pools, cocktails (not for the toddler 😂) evening strolls and sunshine! My favourite time is when we’re on holiday together!

I kind of agree but life with toddlers can be a bit like that no matter where you are, so why not go on holiday? Providing parents are considerate to other people and make an effort to minimise disruption. Also going abroad is quicker, easier and cheaper than getting to most parts of the UK!

Some of my most treasured possessions are photos of my mum, sister and I abroad when we were little. She was a single parent and took us abroad a couple of times a year, on coaches mostly - in my favourite one I’m obviously about 1.5 and my sister about 4.

She’s my hero. I could never take my twins abroad on a coach! Hell on Earth. If she were still here, I still wouldn’t leave the boys with her and go away without them!

I totally agree but only if you replace the word toddler with teenager.

The bad news is this year we're dealing with both

Why the heck not? I’ve just booked to take my toddler abroad. She’s lovely natured and I’m sure we will have the best of times. Sure, there’s likely to be stressful moments (she’s a toddler after all) but, I suspect the good will far outweigh the bad.

I don’t really understand parents that go away constantly without their children. Sure, a break here or there but not a full 2 weeks abroad without them. I’d feel too guilty and would miss her far too much.

I can't believe anyone could say anything so stupid.

Oh look.... OP hasn’t come back 😆

My child is half Spanish. Is it OK for us to take him to see his family?

Lol at leaving them at home.

We've had some very successful holidays with toddlers and enjoyed the break away. Children may get tired and grumpy at times but doesn't mean that you don't have a good time overall. It's better than looking after a whingey child at home with prob rainy weather