Where to go for 5 weeks on maternity leave

[NCforpoo]

Planning on sharing 3 months of maternity leave (shared parental leave) with DH when baby arrives. The plan is to go for 5 weeks of that to stay somewhere warm and relaxing.
We'll either go In January or August. We will be DH, me, DD (4/4.5) and new baby (3 months/9 months old)

But where?! Somewhere not to expensive to rent a place for 5 weeks, and where living expenses aren't too high (we won't be eating out a lot, more living fairly normally) but flights as a one off cost we can save up for.

Suggestions?

Nice gite in the south of France?

Are you both taking your parental leave at the same time? Doesn't that defeat the point?

Defeat what point?
If we go in August will be overlapping my AL and his SPL. If we go in January then SPL will be 3 months shorter but I was planning on going back to work after 9 months anyway...
I think we'll go in August most probably but really just leaving it open.

I didn't think you could take shared parental leave at the same time? You have to go back before he can take his?

I've done so much reading about it and it's so complicated that I'm constantly second guessing myself but I think you can...

"You can take SPL at a different time from your partner/other parent, or at the same time."

www.workingfamilies.org.uk/articles/shared-parental-leave-sharing-leave-with-a-partner-or-splitting-up-leave/

You can definitely take it at the same time.

Defeating the point of maximising the time that your child is looked after by a parent, rather than having to use other childcare. But I can see that you might want to use it to have family time all together instead.

Could you do a house exchange - swap homes with someone from a Spanish or French city? Honeforexchangw is a good site to try

Just something to consider OP there will be a massive price difference with those two dates- August is prime holiday time.

Don’t forget about the routine vaccinations for the baby.

I wouldn't go to Southern Europe with a small child in August, it will be very hot. Why does it have to be January or August? Southern Europe in Juns would be lovely.

If you really want to go away in August then how about somewhere like Estonia? Not too hot and not too expensive

I took mine to Bali at that age (solo though) for six weeks. Was amazing. And you can hire really amazing and cheap Australian nannies while there to come along and manage the kids or go to the spa/have a date night. Not sure if that's too far for you, but was amazing for me and baby.

I visited family for a few weeks with a newborn before we had to fly back ASAP for hospitals. It’s all nice and romantic but it only takes one infection and a huge doctor’s bill in a remote part of a country they don’t speak English (or welcome you tbh) to come to your senses.
I’d rather stay home with my comforts but that’s just me.

Florida? A bit hot midday but we stayed in apartments and rested inside. Enjoy your time!

We'd have good health insurance but would rather be in a country with half decent health care.
August maximises amount of time new baby gets with a parent, but January maximises how much we get financially from both our jobs.
I think August is more likely- but costs are a factor.

Where could we get a nice house for not holiday home rates for just over a month.
I'm a country that's friendly to kids
Not too hot (but up to 30C is fine for us if we have aircon for hottest part of day!)

I understand some people might be wary of travelling with young kids (although 9 months isn't that young!) Buy were sensible and were not looking to go backpacking (although kudos to those who do!) B
Just live a normal (not working for 5 weeks) life in a warmer place to relax and hang out as a family.

Could you investigate a house swap?

Canary Islands?
I would have loved to do what you’re planning to do.

Thailand. Except for the flights, it's relatively inexpensive. With access to good hospitals (especially if you have good health insurance).

We're hoping to do this in New Zealand when the time comes. Was thinking I'd be using the annual leave I've accrued and he'd be on the first month of his parental leave. Then he'd carry on for another month when we get home, hopefully that's allowable

The Alps? If you are a bit higher it won't be as hot and it is beautiful around there.
I think there is often a temptation to go as far away as possible but I think France/Italy are the best places in the world.
Or Black Forest in Germany, a bit different and not on the English tourist trail?

In August northern Spain is a good temperature, eg Bilbao, gijon. Rather than flying take the ferry to Santander which isn't cheap but a very relaxing way to get on holiday

Northern Spain or Portugal would be good, both child friendly ( although high chairs are rare)

Can you do a house swap???

I was going to suggest Bali too. Cheap accommodation, hugely child friendly. Canggu has lots of expats and there is a really nice feel, a lot of families are attracted by the Green School. if you are not fussed about the beach Ubud is lovely (I'm on a Ubud accommodation FB page at the moment and there is lots of interest from young families wanting to hang out there for a few weeks/months). There is International standard healthcare in Seminyak, you would want to enquire about Ubud but it is so popular with expats there must be facilities. Obviously good travel insurance would be important.

Op just wondered how you are splitting the leave. Weve discusses doing it this time around, already have one DS and second baby due early next year. How does it work in practise, I've tried to research but can't quite get my head around it.