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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to not want to sit round a pool for ten days?

155 replies

Bells3032 · 03/04/2022 22:46

OK serious first world problems here. I have a three month old and we are currently looking at a 10 night trip in September. But all my research shows that anything remotely baby friendly is some beach resort in the middle of no where.

Realistically I am paler than a ghost and the idea of spending 10 days sitting round the pool in sticky suncream just sounds like my idea of hell. I like to read and I could cope with 3 days of it but not 10. They all advertise windsurfing and kayaking etc but not something I can do with a 9 month old in my arms.

But whenever I tell anyone this they're always like "oh but you can go for a nice walk along the beach". OK that's fine one day. Maybe 2 but you want to do the same thing day in and day out for 10 days.

Am I the only one that thinks this wag. Everyone else I know is going to tenerife or corfu etc for their holidays and just can't believe I don't want to.

I love history and museums etc. I do recognise I can't do stuff like I used to with a baby. Am I the only one that feels fed up that the only holidays suggested to someone the minute they have a baby is a beach resort? Aibu to not want to just sit round a pool and go for a short walk (and it would be short in the heat)

OP posts:
bellac11 · 03/04/2022 22:50

You can do history stuff with a baby. I cant stand pool or beach holidays either. Rent a ground floor airbnb in a small city or town somewhere of interest to you and you can visit most places on foot/with buggy, have lovely cafe lunches etc.

Or places lile Alghero in Sardinia, so you have beach and town, bit of history, bit of shopping, lots of beach if you want it. Wont need a car

OwlinaTree · 03/04/2022 22:52

You can do history and museums with a baby, no problems. Rome or Barcelona would be amazing. As long as you are there your son will be happy.

You might find it harder with a toddler.

We all like different things op. I like a beach holiday abroad because it's easy and I don't have to do anything. I like a self catering UK holiday, but it's not as relaxing and easy tbh. I like a city break, but it's not restful. So a variety is key imo.

Hawkins001 · 03/04/2022 22:54

Same here, it's one of the reasons being on big brother would bore me, I love museums, art galleries, nature ect but like a mix of activities.

L0stinCyberspace · 03/04/2022 22:55

A 3 month old is the perfect age for you still getting to see history or cultural stuff! Get a baby carrier / sling and off you go. I still have fond memories of "baby wearing" with my now teen on history tours and long walks. One piece of advice though...don't wear a jumpsuit Grin

OutlookStalking · 03/04/2022 22:57

I woukd hate 10 days on a beach so I woukdnt do it! Museums with baby far easier than woth toddler so could be a last chance to do a trip somewhere you want to go. Or go somewhere with nice walks etc.

Where would you like to go?

Original poster
Bells3032 · 03/04/2022 22:58

@L0stinCyberspace thanks. Meant she's 3 months now. She's be 9 months then though only the size of an 8 month old by then

I know I can do city breaks. I just find people's reactions to me not wanting to go to a beach resort is thst they are horrified. They just always argue with me thst I should want to drop a small fortune to sit around a pool.

OP posts:
Springhassprung86 · 03/04/2022 22:58

You really can do all those things with a baby.
Your baby won’t enjoy sitting around a pool for ten days in the sweltering heat either, I promise!!
Prepare well, take a baby carrier or a lightweight buggy and plan your days and journeys in advance. You’ll be fine:

Babyboomtastic · 03/04/2022 23:01

If you want to read, or go to lots of museums etc, then dont go in September, go now!!

Saying that I've done a city break with a 10m old, and it was fine. I wore her in my back, and we explored the city, visited a bunch of historical sites and stayed out late (she slept in my back). It was great. But so much harder at that age than a virtual newborn.

In all seriousness, go where you actually want to go on holiday and find a way to make it baby friendly. You might have to cut back on nightlife is that's your thing, but no holiday location is impossible with a baby.

What we do is each list a couple of things that are important to us (and baby/toddler if too young to decide) and add long as everyone gets their things, it's ok.

So say, I might want to go for a meal with a nice view and go snorkeling, my husband might want to visit x site and have a lazy afternoon on the beach. Baby nominally wants to have her first paddle in the sea and try ice cream.

LubaLuca · 03/04/2022 23:05

I don't know who made you think that sitting in the sun for 10 days is what everyone with a baby does. It's not the norm at all. Go and book a holiday that you'll enjoy.

lightisnotwhite · 03/04/2022 23:13

Mostly people do beach holidays because they are cheap and easy to book. Which is a relief with a toddler.

I did a non beach holiday to South Africa with DS at a year old.I spent much of the holiday trying to stop him pulling himself up on expensive furniture that might topple over on him in the apartment. And then we did the same stuff we did at home; zoo, petting farm, walks, parks, pool.
But yeah I did a cruise the year after because although I wanted an easy life with the cooking and cleaning, I like seeing interesting places. Bliss to visit Pompeii and get back for a swim and dinner knowing you had Pisa or somewhere exciting the next day too"

When DS was a bit older it was all city breaks ( granted with a pool) and interesting reasons ( European grande prix, international games etc). Much nicer all round.

L0stinCyberspace · 03/04/2022 23:15

[quote Bells3032]@L0stinCyberspace thanks. Meant she's 3 months now. She's be 9 months then though only the size of an 8 month old by then

I know I can do city breaks. I just find people's reactions to me not wanting to go to a beach resort is thst they are horrified. They just always argue with me thst I should want to drop a small fortune to sit around a pool.[/quote]
@Bells3032 ah! Just ignore other people and suit yourself! That said once she is about 2 or 3 she probably will love the option of seaside, lakeshore or pool some of the days on holidays. I'm now DM of a teen but holidays have included rural France, rural Spain, coastal resort Spain but we travelled to the nearby city lots and used the resort as a base, coastal & rural Ireland, London....the trick is to mix a bit of what makes you happy and what makes your baby happy, but under 2s are oblivios!

Cherrysoup · 03/04/2022 23:15

Use a sling and do cultural visits. I would die of boredom sitting round a pool for 10 days!

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 03/04/2022 23:18

When my DD was that age we went to Cyprus. Fair enough we stayed with my sis in law on an raf base but we borrowed her car and went exploring. We went to the beach once. Rest of the time we went out and about. It can be done.

VivX · 03/04/2022 23:18

I hate beach holidays. Much prefer city breaks with museums etc...
Get a decent sling and a light buggy for your dc. It is definitely doable.

Talipesmum · 03/04/2022 23:20

We went to Marrakech with our 9 month old. Used a sling everywhere. Luckily he wasn’t crawling yet or it might have been a little harder but prob still fine. Everyone in all cafes and markets and shops and tourist places etc was sooo child friendly - he was making friends everywhere, and was an easy get out clause for extensive attempted bartering.

It’s great if you stay in a riad - in the evening we could sit out in the courtyard and have food etc brought to us, while watching the bedroom door off the courtyard in full view of where we were sitting, armed with a baby monitor. So relaxing and lovely!

Talipesmum · 03/04/2022 23:22

We did do lots of beach holidays but all in the UK so not too hot. Only did them with the kids when they were older - hadn’t expected to enjoy it as much as we did. Helps if you have water baby children!

AcronymLettersBadge · 03/04/2022 23:22

Go to Iceland. It’s stunning, you’ll have book time, you can sight see, baby carrier / sling and you can have a mini adventure! Book a few Airbnb and do the south & east coast with a couple of days at each.

BlooberryBiskits · 03/04/2022 23:24

Second suggestions for Rome/anywhere in Italy or Greece: it’s a cliche but the bambinos ARE spoilt rotten there, so you’ll be a hit everywhere you go.

Also might be your last chance to go to a museum etc before your child can walk/run away!

Just get quite central accommodation so you can take a break for nap time if needed

Stars1979 · 03/04/2022 23:24

Valencia has it all! Went when my daughter was little...has masses of history and actually a beach if you want it. Hope you enjoy whatever you decide to do.

RAINSh0wers · 03/04/2022 23:24

Definitely think outside the box. We spent half term in Lisbon, we did stuff in the city, but also spent a bit of time beach (me and DH aren’t big fans but the kids like it), we’ve also been looking at doing similar in Barcelona.

At 9 months I’d look for something you enjoy. There’ll be plenty of time for kids pools and cheesy evening entertainment in the future!

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 03/04/2022 23:25

Tuscany! We went with v young DC's. No probs in resturants, they loved them. You can book somewhere with a shared pool and there is so much wandering to be done. Lovely shops too. And you can also get to Sienna from there.. ice creams are brilliant.

StoneofDestiny · 03/04/2022 23:25

I'd be bored with a beach holiday too - a nice city break with a hotel with an outdoor pool would be a compromise.

drspouse · 03/04/2022 23:25

We went to Nice with a baby and had lots of lovely seafood, museums (take a sling), parks, walks with buggy. Much better than when they are 7 and have opinions and those are "swimming and ice cream please" though we did go back and it has an amazing city centre splash pad.

AlwaysLatte · 03/04/2022 23:26

Make the most of it before they're on their feet! We had lovely trips to Venice, Athens, Belgium and Paris when they were babies and it was great visiting all the landmarks and museums. So much easier with a pushchair and you're not expecting little legs to keep up!

Nutellaonall · 03/04/2022 23:26

I agree that you can do city type breaks. It’s prob your last chance. Much harder with a two year old. At 9 months you can still get away with getting them to sleep in the pram and going for a nice lunch uninterrupted!