To never get family holidays ‘right’

[cavycavy]

Am I the only one?

Our DC is 4 so family holidays (with us making the decisions or so to speak) is a relatively new thing for us and I’m not sure we’ve found the perfect formula as yet. The focus of this one is to keep our DC happy and occupied, because if she is happy, we are all happy. And so we have gone to a caravan site with loads of activities laid on for her age group, 2 swimming pools and nightly discos. She thinks it is WONDERFUL.

The problem is, I’m exhausted. I’m always utterly exhausted and strung out on every holiday we go on. The beds are always awful, our DC gets up even more insanely early than usual. I never really eat properly on holiday (not sure why?!!) And after 4 nights of barely any sleep I actually feel like I could cry!!! So I’m grumpy and short tempered and not the fun mum I should be. DH is doing more than 50% of the playing and entertaining of DC because he can see I’m struggling to hold my shit together. I have absolutely nothing to complain about but here I am.... moaning.

As a result I’ve decided to get an extra early night tonight (DC has just fallen asleep). We’re here until Friday.... can I turn it around tomorrow and make this a good holiday to remember?

Someone slap some sense into me!

It’s because you’re away from home and out of routine. DC are over stimulated and over excited. It just all gets a bit much.

I’m in the same boat!

So with 3 days left, I’m going to embrace the chaos..... in bed now will sleep and be a happy smiley mum tomorrow. Will cook a really decent breakfast. Make scrap book, do some of the cheesy activities and generally be a NICE PERSON.

I will turn this around!!!

*high fives self

Oh god, you have my sympathies OP. This is hellish.

I’ve only started to genuinely enjoy holidays with my two the last couple of years. I’ve always loathed arranged things since I was young but my eldest DC loves a club and disco, always has

Holidays with little kids are more work than ordinary life. That’s just the reality of small kids. You do it for them and it’s their joy that gets you through it. I’m always shattered on holidays but my DS is having the best time possible and so that’s how it will go until he’s older.

AI is your friend OP! Not having to think about what you are eating halves the stress for me.

@Newschapter very likely PMT

@ShinyRuby we’re at a Haven! My daughter is bloody loving every minute. But I think I’ve probably taken the shine off it today by being snappy and grumpy and short tempered.

I just hope she wakes up and has forgotten all about that!!

Ah gee, don’t be making a really big breakfast. Coco pops and pan au chocolate from Aldi with fruit and coffee. Ready meals, eating out or takeaway for lunch/dinner. Keep it simple.

Seriously, I’m a seriously healthy eater with no processed sugar and very little simple carbs when I’m home. But on holidays it’s all about easy and tasty.

There is only so much martyrdom anyone can manage.

@JADS I agree. AI would have made this holiday so much easier.

@alittleprivacy

Ok, chocolate croissants it is! Although I’m actually Keto so not for me.... I’ll have bacon and eggs.

I disagree with the poster who said it doesn't get easier. Our DCs are 12 and 10 now and holidays are generally a breeze. We've just had a week in Scotland with family and I was worried the DCs would be hard work, long drive plus staying some where unfamiliar could equal a recipe for disaster. But it's been glorious. We're going to a friends caravan on Sunday for a week and the last few times we've stayed they've been good as gold. They're old enough to go swimming while DH and I sit in the cafe/bar next door that looks onto the pool. They've made caravan friends and all go off on their bikes to play. We'll have a few beach days too, depending on the weather and at the age they are, I can happily read a book on the beach while they play.

Hang in there OP. It's hard work now, but when they're older, it gets easier.

Op, for what it’s worth, one of my most treasured memories is on a caravan park in Yorkshire when I was very little. It was a very rainy day and my Mum took me and my elder sister swimming and afterwards to buy some sweets. Back at the caravan Dad was waiting for us and wanted to know all about our morning. He had dance band music on, Glenn Miller and the like. It was a golden memory. Don’t be hard on yourself at all. X

Lots of holiday resorts have kids clubs from babies up. Also all inclusive.

Ah op give yourself a break it's your holiday too.
Have a low key day, bit of a drive along the coast if you're on the beach, find sandwiches from somewhere (supermarket?). Maybe a kids club in the afternoon but go offsite for some of the day, have coffee somewhere give her your phone to watch kinder egg opening or whatever whilst you have coffee and chat with your dh.

That doesn't sound too relaxing. People told us it wouldn't be a holiday with a 2 year old. but we had a lovely week in Spain and I definitely felt like I'd had a break!

Self catering apartment but ate out every day. Many cafes/restaurants had play areas etc. Chose a hotel with kids slides and a splash pool. Put her to bed at either usual time or a little later if she'd napped in the day. Then drank wine on balcony!

I realise it might be harder with a 4 year old and we are thinking of a 4 nights in a caravan for a break in Sept, but as a main holiday no way!

You need:

Kids club that starts at 3 or 4
No self catering (fuck doing exactly what you do at home- meal planning, cooking, cleaning). At least eat out one meal a day.

I never sleep well in the days leading up to a holiday, or the first few nights of a holiday. This happened every time, so by half way through I’m at my wits end!

Well yeah, because it's all the same shit you have to do at home, in an unfamiliar location, with higher expectations and fewer props.

Yy to easy food - cereal and milk, the simplest lunches and dinners you can all eat - bread, ham and cheese or an omelette with some salad veg if that caters for everyone.

Ps the YouTube is If she won't give you 5 minutes peace! I'm not suggesting all day.

And stay up at night. Keep her awake really late and generally be a bit of an irresponsible parent. My 4 year old was up to 10:30ish most nights on holiday and slept until after 8. You need to shift the whole routine so it's more of a break from routine!

And this is the reason I have only ever done self catering once!
My kids were then 3 & 1yrs, and grandparents came too!

It’s your holiday as well!

Take turns with hubby, he can do breakfast, you can make a roll for lunch and out for dinner! He played with kids today, tom9 you take them to the club for painting etc. If you ask at the clubhouse I’m sure someone would be willing to earn s9me more money babysitting for you.

My dad said to my then hubby whilst on said holiday, ‘ oh! Your wife is a good cook she can make all the food while we are here’
Hubby replied: I’m not asking her, so good luck with that!

I NEVER cater to anyone on holiday, quick clean up, washing on line yes, but anything else and you’re on your own!

Be kinder to yourself. Sit, relax. If things aren't perfect so what! Next year do something different. I’m sure she’s having a whale of a time and you are stressing yourself over nothing.
Enjoy the rest of your holiday

because if she is happy, we are all happy

Obviously not true because I’m always utterly exhausted and strung out on every holiday we go on

If you need sleep, avoid caravans!

Caravan is the problem, hire a cottage near a beach with a secure garden. You can go out and do child friendly activities or just take a picnic to the beach with some toys, or they can play in the garden while you drink a large glass of wine. You get the usual soundproofing of a house, so you can take turns floor lie ins and you dint worry about disturbing DC in the evenings. You have a proper bed and for the love of God go out to eat, get some yoghurt, cereal, bread for breakfast that's it. It's your holiday too, you don't want to be cooking, washing up, meal planning, grocery shopping.

Just so you know, there is no perfect formula because as they grow their interests and what they consider to be fun change.
Every family holiday has highs and lows and are always exhausting. If you can get a few good memories then it’s been a success.

We didn't really go away when our DS was little as it was too much work! We then started to go away with other families which was great - no entertaining needed as he played endlessly with the other children. He's 11 now - we have had a holiday to Centre Parcs (just us) which was fantastic and we are going to Cornwall this year. It does become easier - promise!!

How about somewhere like this? Lots of childcare!

www.sandsresort.co.uk/holidays-in-cornwall/family/children