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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:
HeddaGarbled · 04/04/2022 00:10

This is just snobbery. Every beach resort has day trips they’ll be falling over themselves to flog you. Corfu, particularly, has an abundance of historical and cultural sites.

Fernsinthegarden · 04/04/2022 00:12

@DappledThings

We went to Malta when DC1 was months and it was brilliant. Tons of stuff to see, prehistoric temples, loads of great exhibitions about the different significant periods in history, forts to walk around, the entire island is fascinating. And everywhere really accessible by bus.

Never done 10 days by a pool with or without DC. Would be bored out of my mind.

Seconding Malta, so much history to enjoy and so easy to get around the island. If you time the ferries right it’s only 90min ferry trip to Sicily. Only thing that would put me off is the heat, you’d have to double check but it gets to the 40’s in summer and takes a while to tail off. There’s little protection on the island from the elements and gets very toasty!
TomBradysLeftKneecap · 04/04/2022 00:14

You can go on whatever the heck holiday you like with a 9month old. There’s no rule that, once you’ve become a parent, you have to lie by a pool in Corfu, you know!

Longbin · 04/04/2022 00:15

@HeddaGarbled I had never thought of it as a form of snobbery but you’re right, it really is.

CakeAmbushAlert · 04/04/2022 00:15

But all my research shows that anything remotely baby friendly is some beach resort in the middle of no where.

I think your research has some pretty big holes in if beach holidays are all you can find (plus see all advice above)
www.wandermustfamily.com/european-city-breaks-a-m-with-babies/

www.roughguides.com/special-features/the-30-best-places-to-go-with-kids/

www.mumsnet.com/articles/city-breaks-with-children

www.kinderhotels.com/en/kinderhotels-family-holidays.html

Everyone else I know is going to tenerife or corfu etc for their holidays and just can't believe I don't want to.
Well it sounds like this kind of holiday wasn't your bag before so why would they now expect you to want to now? If it's new parent friends you've made I'm sure with under 1 year olds not everyone is going abroad for their holiday.

Just book what you want to do then it's not up for debate?

LBFseBrom · 04/04/2022 00:22

There are beach resorts close to towns that are interesting so you could have the best of both worlds with your baby, who won't mind where she is as long as she is well fed and with you. I'd take the resort because of the facilities being on hand but would ensure there are are good places for me to visit within easy reach. Do some more research before booking and have a great time.

Momijin · 04/04/2022 00:27

What a weird post, we all have our likes and dislikes and many people would be bored sitting by a pool all day (me included). My idea of hell is also Vegas and I wouldn't enjoy New York. Disney wasn't enjoyable either. Give me river kayaking, the scottish highlands, cornwall, a lake and camping, biking holiday, cooking holiday etc anyday.

But like with what I read and what I watch, I don't judge others - people should do what they enjoy during their free time.

PiperPosey · 04/04/2022 00:37

[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]
I live on an island in Florida...It is hot and humid. If I died and went to hell I would be on a beach or a pool for 10 days. I couldn't do it.

Especially with a baby...good Lord. Yes I go to the beach and/or a pool for 1-2 days when kids and grandkids visit...and I'm good to go until they arrive 4 months later.
..............................
@bellac11

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 like 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
....................
That would be my idea of Heaven! Wine

Skinterior · 04/04/2022 00:37

You can do exactly what you want with a baby. We hate beaches and have taken DS all over the place since we could cram all his bits and pieces into a bag or ten.

Important bit of advice though - you will have a much nicer holiday if you go somewhere where they adore children. We were treated so well in Italy and Morocco, but Dubai and Southern spain was a nightmare - not the locals, it was the euro baby boomers that couldn't stand a squeak from a baby.

As we got more experienced we got better at ignoring them.

Mamanyt · 04/04/2022 01:03

I'm with you. I grew up on a beach (literally out the door onto the sand), and if I never lie on, sleep in, chew, shower while standing on, or shake my clothing free of, sand, it is fine by me. And I've NEVER enjoyed pool-side lounging. Everyone in a line, just lying there sweating for no good reason at all. Ick. Swimming is nice, but you can't do it 16 hours a day, and certainly not with a baby in arms!

I see mums in museums all the times, pushing their prams, and telling their children about the art that they are looking at. Of course, the kids don't understand yet, but...the habit of it is being made, and bodes well for the future!

Qwill · 04/04/2022 01:07

I don’t understand who you’re arguing with OP?! Is it your husband that’s wants to go to a beach? If not, go where you want!! I hate beach holidays and love city breaks. I think city breaks are so much easier with babies.

Luredbyapomegranate · 04/04/2022 01:23

Go to Sicily or Barcelona or somewhere like that with both

Travelswithchildren · 04/04/2022 01:36

There are so many non-resort places that are great for travel with babies - space to explore, a change of scene when you need it, somewhere nice to walk if that helps them to nap... You'll find yourself having to adapt to suit them, but you'd have to do that on a day out in the UK too. I took mine to Croatia, France and Vienna before they were one and each worked well in different ways.

Never say never though. I wasn't keen on lie by the pool holidays even before kids so that wasn't what we were looking for with babies either, but I'll admit to lobbying hard for a place with a kids club and a poolside bar by the time they were in school. By that point it felt like I'd not had a moment's peace in years and the prospect of giving them to someone else while I had a nap in the sun was suddenly extremely attractive.

Iflyaway · 04/04/2022 01:36

Hope you have the best time OP.

We mums need to have our time out too.

milkyaqua · 04/04/2022 02:17

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.

They're called extroverts, and/or tanners. I'd go somewhere cooler with loads of art galleries and museums and nice lakes and parks.

VeganGod · 04/04/2022 02:32

People have different ideas of what a holiday is. Who cares if others don’t agree on your choice of holiday, as long as it’s not the people you’re going on holiday with, their opinion is irrelevant. Why is this even something you are thinking about?

2022NameChange · 04/04/2022 02:38

My friend took her 8 month old inter-railing around Europe for 2 month, they had an absolute blast. LOTS of museums and sight seeing. She invested in a really lightweight buggy and a sling and she was off. You absolutely can do this stuff, probably easier to do it now than when LO is toddling too.

Grumpasaurusrex · 04/04/2022 02:41

Why can't you do the trips you want with a baby? Of course you can! So easy. I'll never understand why people think everything needs to be 'baby friendly' what does that even mean? I mean sure no scuba diving or bungee jumping but what you have described sounds like a city break? You know people have babies in cities right? 😂

onewednesdayindecember · 04/04/2022 02:43

all my research shows that anything remotely baby friendly is some beach resort in the middle of no where.

I don’t really understand what you mean by baby friendly, surely you just need a cot in the room?

starrynight21 · 04/04/2022 03:12

Don't let other people's comments influence you ! This is you holiday, not theirs. A 9 month old is ideal to take to somewhere like Rome or Paris where you can push them around all day and see all the museums and art galleries that you like.

Sunnytwobridges · 04/04/2022 03:25

I hate beach vacations with or without kids. Maybe one day hanging out at the beach is ok but anything more than that is boring as hell. I think your baby will be fine going to museums and sightseeing as long as you have a stoller and don’t have to carry her the whole time.

NumberTheory · 04/04/2022 03:29

Beach resort with a baby is my idea of hell. Tbh beach holidays just aren't my cup of tea most of the time. Most of the people who are amazed you don't want to do a beach holiday with a baby will also be amazed you don't want to do one without one.

If you've only got one child, most holidays except Vegas are doable. Just plan to be flexible and probably put a bit more into the room you're staying in if you can as being able to just veg out somewhere contained and nice can be more important.

Idonea · 04/04/2022 03:31

Stop looking at beach holiday websites then and plan your own trip. There's no 'baby friendly' thing, that's just some shit they put on packaging. You go to the place you want to go to, with the things you want to do, and take the baby along.

Mine saw amphitheatres in Sicily and beautiful architecture in Bilbao, as well as enjoying all the food. Didn't think once about 'baby friendly.'

UK culture tends to sell this idea that babies are only allowed to do about three things and all have to be sponsored by CBeebies or something. Once you realise you can just treat them like people then trips out become a lot more fun.

Idonea · 04/04/2022 03:33

@Grumpasaurusrex

Why can't you do the trips you want with a baby? Of course you can! So easy. I'll never understand why people think everything needs to be 'baby friendly' what does that even mean? I mean sure no scuba diving or bungee jumping but what you have described sounds like a city break? You know people have babies in cities right? 😂
Same people who think real food is 'not for children' and kids are only allowed to eat yellow nuggets of some sort. I remember the leader of some toddler group being astonished and shocked that my kid ate the same adult meals we did. "I don't think little ones are supposed to have herbs," she says with proper cats bum face.
RustyShackleford3 · 04/04/2022 03:37

I'd go crazy spending 10 days by the pool with a 9 month old. It would be lovely to swim with them a few times but I couldn't do it for 10 days. I'd want to be somewhere with stuff to do. At that age the baby won't be content to just sit in a pram all day, they will want to get out and get involved in some things that you are doing... So sitting by the pool reading probably won't work unless they are napping.

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