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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think a holiday with a toddler could actually be fun?

124 replies

SleeplessInSouthEast · 12/03/2022 09:23

Yes, appreciate there are bigger things going on in the world but holiday was booked way back for us to go to Portugal so my extended family can meet my little one for the first time since she was born and it's non-refundable. She's almost 2.

The thing is, all I hear and read is how stressful going away with little ones is, from packing, to the flight, to entertaining them whilst away etc, how it's never really a holiday for mums as we have to spend our entire time planning/sorting/switched on, etc etc.

Frankly, I'm starting to dread it now! We haven't been away anywhere, not even a domestic short break for over 3 years and pre-kiddo. I just want us all to have a fun time and not come back feeling it was a waste and we should've stayed home!

AIBU to think it's actually possible to truly enjoy a holiday abroad with a young toddler?

Would welcome any tips and wisdom from MNs with positive experiences!

(One idea was to do an online click and collect shop before we set off to the supermarket near the hotel for nappies, milk, yoghurts etc)

Thank you!

OP posts:
Instawhat · 12/03/2022 09:34

AIBU to think it's actually possible to truly enjoy a holiday abroad with a young toddler?
Of course it's possible. If you have low expectations and plan everything around toddler friendly activities!

CantStandMeCow · 12/03/2022 09:35

It’s amazing having holidays with little ones. Just keep expectations really low and embrace the chaos.

user1019273703 · 12/03/2022 09:38

We took my 4 year old to butlins last year so granted not abroad. It is the best holiday I have ever had. Watching how much she enjoyed it is the best feeling ever!

GailTheSnail · 12/03/2022 09:39

It's not a relaxing break but it can definitely be fun. Take loads of entertainment options and snacks on the plane. I also gave our toddler a precaitionary calpol in case she got the ear popping thing. Have fun! X

MaizeAmaze · 12/03/2022 09:40

If you go on holiday expecting to drink cocktails on a sun lounger all day, you are dissapointed in holidays with toddlers.
If you go on holiday to splash in knee high water, watch the ant army marching across the flag stones, and making sand castles to be jumped on, it will all be fine.
Enjoy your trip.

Tiddlesthecat · 12/03/2022 09:41

Yes of course it is. It's more effort than going on your own, obviously, but so much more fun. Mine are past that stage now, but our holidays with them as toddlers were fantastic! Especially if you have access to a beach and or pool. Foreign countries are so much more tolerant of children than we are, so ours were always made a big fuss of. And if you have family to help share the burden at mealtimes you could have some great meals out. Ignore the negatives. People like to moan, but it will be a fantastic experience.

Mischance · 12/03/2022 09:42

It is if you centre the holiday round the child's needs and not expect her to fit in with adult stuff. Holidays with little ones can be a joy - watching them experience new things and explore the world.

Holidays with little ones which are geared around the adults' needs are misery. Parents have to bite the bullet on that for a few years and find joy in seeing their children happy and in reliving your own child holiday memories.

Original poster
SleeplessInSouthEast · 12/03/2022 09:43

I know this will sound silly but any examples of other toddler-friendly other than going to the pool and beach?
We're travelling hand luggage only and she doesn't have her own allowance so limited on things like toys to take...do you even take toys on holiday?

As you can tell, she's a first child 😅

OP posts:
Moyny · 12/03/2022 09:43

I always enjoyed ours, but I’d been flying with DS since he was a couple of months old (all family abroad), and he just had to fit in with whatever was going on. We were usually fairly ambitious, though, and would rent somewhere right on a beach and just potter.

Original poster
SleeplessInSouthEast · 12/03/2022 09:46

Loving these responses, thank you so much!
Makes me feel better to know it's not all stress and doom!

OP posts:
PerfectlyImperfectIsMe · 12/03/2022 09:48

We've been twice with a toddler (once when eldest DC was 2 and last year when youngest DC was 2). Yes you still have all the stuff to deal with like you do at home with toddlers but we had a wonderful time both times and have some lovely photos and memories to look back on.

Please don't be put off by all the negative comments you hear and read. It is hard work prepping, packing when you have little ones (panicking about their behaviour on the plane!) but its so worth it in my opinion. We can't afford to go for a couple of years now but can't wait to go abroad again with the kids. Have a wonderful time 😁

Hoppinggreen · 12/03/2022 09:48

We have been taking both our DC away since they were 1 or so and we have always had fun.
I think the key is to realise that it won’t be like a pre kids holiday but also that you need to forget your at home routine as well.
Flights can be a bit fraught but not awful if you have a DH who takes turns with you as a minimum
I was a sahm while DH worked long hours when my dc were small so holidays were a real break for me as DH did 50% on holiday

Purplemoon738 · 12/03/2022 09:49

I’ve never related to those posts about holidays not being holidays when you have young dc. I’ve always loved it. Yes you can’t really lie by the pool all day reading but we’ve been to toddler friendly places (such as Butlins and holiday parks) and had the best time!

BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 12/03/2022 09:50

When my DD was 2 our summer holiday that year was a road trip through Albania and Montenegro. It was definitely a fun experience - both for the adults and for her. You just need to ensure that you have a mix of activities, but the holiday does not need to be solely centred around "child-friendly" activities (beach, pool etc) - unless you want it that way of course!

Mybestyear · 12/03/2022 09:51

Clearly this is your first time!!! It is very challenging- throw in a strange environment and relatives she’s never met. My advice - set your stall out from the start and do not be a martyr. Ask for help to entertain DD, get a rota with partner, ensure you get some time alone and that DD doesn’t cling to you - make sure you don’t get left with it all especially in the evening!! If people have a few drinks, they are less likely to want to help put DD to bed. Make sure DP takes their turn.

I’d love to be able to say “it’s great” but it really isn’t!! But with some planning and help, you can have great times!! Good luck.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 12/03/2022 09:52

Relaxing.. no.
Fun... yes!

Not sure i could do it with hand luggage only though...

Imissprosecco · 12/03/2022 09:52

Could you buy a bucket and spade when you're out there and leave them at your relatives for whenever you visit? My mum lives by the coast and just keeps all the beach stuff at her house so we don't need to cart it around all the time. Other than that, a couple of small toys and books will be enough. They will be entertained enough by shells and stones at that age.

We haven't been abroad but went to Wales when DS was the same age. He loved it. We spent a LOT of time on the beach.

GailTheSnail · 12/03/2022 09:52

Just remembered we took a sticker book on plane which was a bit hit.although she did decorate a lot of the window too Blush

Merrymouse · 12/03/2022 09:52

One thing you have to remember about Mumsnet is that people don’t tend to post much less about things that are boringly normal.

The thing about a holiday with a toddler is you can’t get a holiday from looking after a toddler without childcare, so without childcare you won’t be lying down with your book on a sun lounger, so it’s a different kind of holiday.

HOWEVER, and I can’t underline this enough, it’s worth it for the memories, even if hard work at the time.

If you will be seeing extended family, they should be able to help out a bit, even if that means playing with your toddler while you are present.

NewtoHolland · 12/03/2022 09:53

I think it depends how much you enjoy parenting off holiday...because it's all the same stuff really just in a different place 🙂 is the place you've booked kid friendly? Place with a pool or nearby park is a dream at that stage to get energy out :) a good travel buggy makes life a lot easier too..we got a baby jogger for going to Rome and it was a dream for us...bought second hand and 4 years later it's still going strong...I found my two pretty good on planes at that age..just making sure to tire them out before hands with lots of running around the airport...snacks in bag ...and kindle with something they like to watch downloaded just incase. It's obv nothing like pre kids holidays...but we've still enjoyed it for what it is.

LolCat27 · 12/03/2022 09:53

We took our DS to Crete a few months before his 2nd birthday. It was amazing! Don't let people put you off. If you're organised enough and are prepared then it can certainly be fun and relaxing!

Merrymouse · 12/03/2022 09:54

One thing you have to remember about Mumsnet is that people don’t tend to post much less about things that are boringly normal

oops - that should have read ‘people tend to post much less’,

Emmacb82 · 12/03/2022 09:54

Definitely lower the expectations and be realistic!! I took my ds abroad when he was 18months - he hated the pool, hated the beach, hated the sea. So was quite hard to keep him entertained. And I hadn’t expected that so found it a bit tricky. But he loved going out to eat dinner every evening and all the attention he got!! It was an enjoyable holiday, but in hindsight I would have waited a couple more years. As long as you are prepared for it to be very different to pre child holidays, and you don’t expect too much of them, you’ll have a nice time. Good luck!

Branleuse · 12/03/2022 09:54

It can be fun if the kid is ok with sleeping away from home and being out of routine. If youre with family that will actually help you too so you can have some relaxation and fun too then i think it could be great fun.

It depends on your own family and your own kid

whatajuckingfoke · 12/03/2022 09:55

I've just always felt that it's same shit, different location! As long as you appreciate that, as in you'll still need to centre most stuff around the child, not what the adults would prefer to do on holiday then your expectations will be realistic and you'll be fine!

If you go expecting your child to change how they behave/what they need in terms of attention, routines, playtime etc so that you can relax because you're on holiday then you will be sorely disappointed and stressed (as we are when we took our eldest away - not even abroad - when she was 3 months old and expected that she'd just slot into our usual holiday experience, ha ha, she had other ideas!).

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