Page 3 | Is it worth going abroad with an almost 2 and almost 4 year old?

oof5050 · 2022-01-02T11:24:59+00:00

Hello, DH and I can't decide if it's worth doing a holiday abroad this year (covid permitting). Last holiday abroad was March 2019 to Spain with our then 8 month old. And it was ok. AIBU to think a holiday abroad with 2 under for 4 will be a nightmare? Should we just stick to a UK break? If you think abroad will be fine is there anywhere you'd recommend? We're open to anything from all inclusive in Spain to Air BnB in Netherlands etc. Just to add we're able to get Eurostar pretty easily so rail is an option. Think I'd rather that than fly partly for environment, partly can't bear the idea of two kids potentially being a nightmare for a 2-3 hour flight.

Namechangehereandnow · 02/01/2022 18:21

Almost 2 and almost 4 … so 1 and 3 then …

idontshareprimula · 02/01/2022 18:22

@Namechangehereandnow

Almost 2 and almost 4 … so 1 and 3 then …

There's a huge difference between a 12 month old, and a 23 month old.

Namechangehereandnow · 02/01/2022 18:24

Just saying. Kids will be 1 and 3. Almost 2 doesn’t necessarily mean 23 months either …

SpinsForGin · 02/01/2022 18:27

@Kite22

I think that might possibly be defensiveness reading "tone" in to a post that was merely answering the question, with my opinion. We didn't think it made sense to go abroad when our were little, but other opinions are obviously available.

Nope! No defensiveness here. We've had some amazing holidays where we've used kids clubs. I'd highly recommend them. The TUI Blue (formally family life) are fantastic. They're all staffed by qualified childcare staff and I can't fault them.

I dislike the assumption that some people make which suggests that by using kids clubs you're missing out on precious family time. It never takes long for someone to mention this on threads like these.

notanothertakeaway · 02/01/2022 18:30

I think children of that age will be just as happy building sandcastles on a UK beach. So, if you're asking whether young children benefit from travelling overseas, I'd say No

If you're asking if it's feasible to travel overseas, then yes definitely. Hotel Flora at Puerto Pollensa, Majorca might appeal to you

Agree with PP that self catering offers flexibility and its good if you're not all sleeping in the same room

Roselilly36 · 02/01/2022 18:30

Personally, with children of that age, It wouldn’t be a relaxing holiday. I would wait a few years for an overseas trip, and opt for a UK break instead. Less stressful all round.

Yebbie · 02/01/2022 18:32

We went on holiday with our 2 year old a few months ago, I went with low expectations expecting a lot of hard work but honestly it was amazing, I'm so happy we went and he still talks about holiday, airplanes and sandcastles. We went to a TUI blue which are quite family oriented, they had a kids buffet which he loved, the entertainment was great for kids he loved the discos and was mesmerised by the shows. We binned off any routine, he went to bed late so we could have a bit of an evening, around 11 each night, woke up at 9 most days and gave us a lie in. We thought we'd need to be on the go all the time but he was happy to stay on the beach for hours on end. I will never forget him just running in and out of the sea, smiling and playing in the sand. Best week ever. So glad we went. I had so many people say it's pointless, just parenting elsewhere, no relaxation, stressful, they won't even remember it blah blah - well I will always remember it! It was my favourite holiday ever

Frederica852 · 02/01/2022 18:38

Took ours on abroad holidays and tried Cornwall etc when similar age to yours.
I would choose abroad everytime. So much easier to entertain them in weather and flights were always much easier than long car journeys. I've never understood why people think you shouldn't go abroad with pre schoolers - we've always had a great time and got cheap deals outside of school holidays

Yebbie · 02/01/2022 18:51

Agreed with @Frederica852 if we tried to have him in the car for the 5 hours it would take to get somewhere like Cornwall it would be hell and countless stops, whereas our flight was 5.5 hours and he loved it! There were tears going up and coming down, he didn't like that but the rest of the time he was happy as anything. Very excited to be in the clouds. I filled a drawstring bag with lots of cheap tat he hasn't seen before, just some cars and colouring books and sweets etc and that kept him entertained well, and a fully charged tablet! Honestly he had a few tantrums but probably less than he does at home. We had an amazing week.

TheNoodlesIncident · 03/01/2022 11:12

We took our ds to Greece when he was just turned two, I was concerned about how he would cope (I started a thread about it actually and posters assured me - correctly, it turned out - that he would be fine). We had a little s/c apartment in Sidari with an adjoining restaurant and pool, plus there was the Canal d'Amour close by so we spent a lot of time on the beach.

It was different to our holidays abroad before we had him, but he enjoyed all the additional stimulus (the different scenery, the new swingpark, the colourful shops, the beach and warm sea) and didn't mind the changes to his routine.

He obviously doesn't remember that or subsequent holidays, but the experiences added to the development of his character and I don't regret a second, although it does make a difference that he rarely tantrummed about anything and took most things in his stride.

I'm so glad we didn't decide to just stay in the UK for holidays but enjoyed being in the sun abroad. It makes such a huge difference. We did a lot of things we could have done in the UK - beaches, swing parks, exploring, visiting attractions - but all of these were in guaranteed warmth and so much nicer as a result. I wouldn't want to go to an outdoor waterpark in the UK, but in Corfu it was fantastic and ds had a great time, and so did we.

GlamourBear · 03/01/2022 11:17

We took our 2 and 5 year old abroad last year. Obviously you have the same fun and games as at home they don't change but we had a wonderful time and both kids love looking through all our photos. Our eldest still likes looking back on his holidays abroad with us from when he was tiny too 😊

SwimmingIntoMotherhood · 03/01/2022 11:21

Depends on your holiday goals and whether children fit into them

I couldn't last more than 10 months without going on holiday so it was always worth it for me

But you'll of course also get people who aren't that fussed and the extra effort with children makes the entire thing pointless

Sceptre86 · 03/01/2022 11:28

if its an all inclusive, child centred holiday nearby so Europe I don't see an issue. I wouldn't take them on a sight seeing type of holiday or where you try to cram in doing too much. If instead you are going for a more leisurely holiday I would go for it. Holidays abroad you are at least guaranteed sun whereas a UK summer can still be hit and miss, plus expensive to boot.

DappledThings · 03/01/2022 11:31

I think its a waste of money, very young DC are equally happy in a caravan at the seaside, if not more so, so why bother with the hassle of long distances especially at the moment

DC might be but we wouldn't and our holidays are about finding something we all want, not just what works for DC. We have been to Malta with 8 month old and France with 8 month old and 2.5 year old. Would have done more if not for covid. This year hoping to be in Spain with 6 and 4 year old.

We want to visit places we haven't been to before, to see towns and castles and museums we wouldn't otherwise get to and the slight hassle of getting DC to sleep in other places and behave on flights is totally worth it for us. We all get a bit of pool and beach time and lots of day trips.

The "same shit, different location" narrative isn't my experience.

Ponoka7 · 03/01/2022 11:39

I'd go AL abroad before you are subject to term times. You're guaranteed the weather and you can take advantage of the out of term time prices. Go for the best option with the least travel time/hassle. I'd get kindles for the journey if they don't have screens that you can use. Not a popular opinion on here I know but we travel with children of all ages and don't have the nightmares that people on here describe. Decide what you want and what's important to you. Then read the reviews based on you.

Fidgetty · 03/01/2022 11:46

I don't think it's worth it personally but depends on your personality as much as your DCs. My DH has wanted to go abroad since they were babies but I had a blanket ban until the youngest was four. I've been on holidays with siblings/friends when their DC were small and it's just not worth it IMO.

Holidaying at home has worked out well. They get most of the same activities they would abroad without the stress of travel and severe heat that would make them (and as an extension me) cranky. During those years we went abroad with each other while the DC were left with my mum, or we went with family/ friends while one parent stayed at home. Going when they were 4 and 5 was a dream. They were so excited and well behaved and I was glad I waited.

Yebbie · 03/01/2022 11:49

@Fidgetty

I don't think it's worth it personally but depends on your personality as much as your DCs. My DH has wanted to go abroad since they were babies but I had a blanket ban until the youngest was four. I've been on holidays with siblings/friends when their DC were small and it's just not worth it IMO.

Holidaying at home has worked out well. They get most of the same activities they would abroad without the stress of travel and severe heat that would make them (and as an extension me) cranky. During those years we went abroad with each other while the DC were left with my mum, or we went with family/ friends while one parent stayed at home. Going when they were 4 and 5 was a dream. They were so excited and well behaved and I was glad I waited.

How can you say it's not worth it when you never did it? Many of us who have done it, myself included with a two year old, have said it was more than worth it and were so pleased we went and had a great time. I was nearly put off from searching mumsnet threads and reading comments like these and I'm so glad I didn't not make those memories over advice from someone who hadn't even tried!

irregularegular · 03/01/2022 11:50

I think so! But I took a different approach to most and didn't attempt a relaxing/do-nothing/read a book in the sun by the pool/beach holiday. I was pretty sure it just wouldn't work! Maybe the whole inclusive, kids club thing would give you some chill time. But if the kids don't like it then it would be a nightmare! Plus a resort holiday isn't my ideal anyway.

Instead we still went to cities, travelled around etc We knew it wouldn't exactly be relaxing, but at least we would have seen/done something different and interesting. The worst holidays we did when they were small was when I tried to make it child friendly and they didn't particular enjoy it, and then no-one was happy. Even now, if I'm going to relax and do nothing then I'm most comfortable in my own home and garden really.

By the time my kids were 5 and 6, we have take one or both of them to: Norway/Stockholm/Ghent/Paris/Japan/Bern/Vienna/Capri/Naples/Croatia/Tuscany as well as some UK trips

irregularegular · 03/01/2022 11:52

I know that looks like a lot of holidays. Some of them were partly work related (conferences etc) but we took the children along and extended the trip into a holiday.