To be considering cutting our family holiday short?

[Babybabybabyooooh]

We are currently in the Lake District (live in the south west).
We have three children aged 11mo, 1yo and 2yo. So far it’s awful, our 1yo is a total flight risk at the moment, the 2yo is acting incredibly difficult (which is definitely down to her routine being upset but it’s still making it very difficult) and the 11mo is being his typical baby self, but it’s much harder to accommodate him with the added stress of the older two and the holiday.

I’m not having fun, the kids kind of are but the location isn't having much of an effect on that, and they’re mad they can’t just run free like at home because it’s not enclosed, it was such a long trip to get here and we’ve only been here two days but the thought of staying until Monday makes me feel sick,

Would I be unreasonable to pack up and go home and just holiday from home? There are just as many zoos and parks a driving distance from our home that they would love all the same!

Its difficult in these cobid times where you can't just play it by ear and you have to book things if you want to get in but honestly I would cancel half your list and just chill on site. Let them get used to the site, the may make some little friends with neighbouring kids if you are around long enough rather than dashing off here there and everywhere.

I agree with Bunny there. TOO MUCH!

Simplify.

Agree with others, we have absolutely been there and have ended up taking turns ie one gets up and does the AM shift which usually involved very simple things like some Duplo / jigsaws / den building in the living room of the caravan and maybe some cartoons.

Other person takes over then whole family do something for a few hours. Then repeat for the last part of the evening until bed ie each do a shift.

It also got easier when, as others have suggested, we massively lowered our expectations and allowed them to have a few days just playing on the site we were staying. They are so so little and t just felt like wasting money going on days out they didn't really care about.

It will get easier once the older ones are over the age of 3, but if you are really fed up and think things would be less stressful at home then noone would blame you for leaving early at all.

You have my sympathy tho, mine are 6, 5 and nearly 3 and holidays for the last few years have just been so fucking stressful.

And the zoo on the way back?! Whyyyyy?

It's local to you, save it for a day out not dragging kids into the car and packing everything up at the crack of dawn.

Your plans are the problem, seriously bonkers.

You need to stay at your holiday park more, get deckchairs out and a paddling pool and toys. Lots of snacks in the van, no need to pack up and carry picnics and all your gear. Just stay out and enjoy the change of scenery.

The Lake District is vastly over rated. Leave.

“You've planned a holiday for older children when you have two toddlers and a baby. Be patient the time will come when they will love all of those activities.”

And this too.

I don’t cram days with activities and mine are 19, 13 and 12 now. I never have. How exhausting. One per day is more than enough. Pottery painting with your ages…why?

Beatrix potter museum with children those ages???!

Why OP, why?!

We took DS aged five to Canada, in a motor home, because we wanted to go -- and he was bored and cross all the time that we were travelling. Holidays are actually wasted on the under fives; they just prefer more of what they like best at home. Which is very hard on parents.

Another one to say sack off the Beatrix potter museum. I took my daughter there when she was 3. She was bored. It's really expensive to get in and unless it's changed in the last 10 years it's just a load of scenes with model animals that move a bit that you walk around. Then there's a quite nice cafe and a cottage type garden thing to walk around. It's lovely but a bit 'meh' for kids that age and if you aren't in the greatest of moods you will resent the money, time and effort you have invested in it.

try brockhole. Or maybe feeding the ducks at Windermere? Beware the swans tho!

@uktrippin

And the zoo on the way back?! Whyyyyy?

It's local to you, save it for a day out not dragging kids into the car and packing everything up at the crack of dawn.

Your plans are the problem, seriously bonkers.

You need to stay at your holiday park more, get deckchairs out and a paddling pool and toys. Lots of snacks in the van, no need to pack up and carry picnics and all your gear. Just stay out and enjoy the change of scenery.

This!

Get a little paddling pool and have a day just chilling . Have a glass of wine, take it in turns to read your books. Just relax

"We took DS aged five to Canada, in a motor home, because we wanted to go -- and he was bored and cross all the time that we were travelling. Holidays are actually wasted on the under fives; they just prefer more of what they like best at home. Which is very hard on parents."

Not at all my experience. We've done the same as well as many other holidays. We road tripped with 5 year olds across America.

They weren't bored because we planned it well and kept it age appropriate for them whilst still seeing everything we wanted to.

And they were 8 before we took them to the Beatrix Potter museum.

I was actually quoted in a MN book, when I said when they are that when they are that little there is no such thing as a holiday, just childcare in a different climate.

My children are grown up but when they were small we had fun holidays. They were just happy digging a hole on the beach. You sound like you have an exhausting activity programme for you and them. Step back enjoy being with your kids and chill out with some wine in the evening

We had 3 under 3 and also did holidays at this age. I remember things that went well were beaches, paddling, animals things like a petting zoo or rescue sanctuary.

Me and DH mucked in, he became the SAHD in the end. Easier to look after 3 children with 2 parents on hand full time than the usual one.

Don't put yourself under too much pressure re timed activities.

Omg don't take them to a museum!! Just please, don't do it to yourself. I guarantee you will have a row with your husband within the first 20 mins
Same goes for the national trust house and boat trip!

Just take them to an enclosed park or stay on site. God, no wonder you want to come home!

I can see you have put so much effort into your planning and it's disappointing when I doesn't pan out as you dream it wi'll. But I agree with everyone. Give yourselves a break. Less is going to be more on this holiday I reckon for all your sakes.

Go and buy a paddling pool. Hang around the caravan and only plan a trip out to look at scenery if they sleep in the car.

Take time out to read a book, or make up a silly tune. Museums are for the over 7s imo. Unless they have buttons to press.

Boat trip from Bowness to the aquarium at Lakeside.

There are some lovely little mice in a tank near the entrance - sometimes you have to wait a while for them to come out. There are fish and also the ants that walk along a piece of rope. Then there is a tank you can walk through (a tunnel) with pike in where if you look upwards, you can see the underside of the ducks swimming.

There is also a steam railway there if that gets boring.

Then call in at Booths in Windermere on the way back for some nice wine and food.

@iluvalfredo

I always describe holidays with children under 5 as 'same shit, different place'.

I was going to quote that MN pearl too but wasn't sure the OP was ready to hear the brutal truth

My friend had 4 children under 3 (2 children close together then an unexpected pregnancy which was twins!).

Saw them one time and they were about to go on holiday "have a lovely time".

4 days later we met friend's husband: "Oh, we thought you were on holiday?..."

He replied that life was a nightmare in a 4 bedroom house and what on earth had made them think it would work in a 6 berth caravan with no walls and no secure garden!

Agree with pp that you've planned too much. Where you're trying to fill their time you actually need to give them more time to just be. At those ages we work in increments of about 2 hours, so out by 9.30am to activity in the morning, easy lunch somewhere and then back to accommodation for sleep or quiet time. Adults can also have a break and take it in turns to rest/swim/do an activity. DC wake about 3pm and we go swimming or for a walk or play etc. Evening meal at 5pm and in bed by 7.30pm. Rest of evening for adults to relax or again one could go off and do something. Divide and conquer at this age. You could both get a bit of a rest by sharing time with DC and time out. Definitely don't do the zoo on the way home - they'll be shattered, overstimulated from a week away and grumpy!

💯 go home.

You've convinced me the best thing would be to go home.

Beatrix Potter is sooooooo boring.

Look. I don’t want to be a cunt but you were mad even attempting a holiday like that with 3 under 3 - I feel sick thinking about it.