When do holidays become holidays again?

[Addictedtohappyvalley]

Back from a few days away with Dh and Dd, 4. It was nice to be in a different location, but just hard work 🙈
Dd wouldn’t sleep until really late and then woke at 5 am, so was shouting and grumpy all the next day. I know it’s the different routine etc, but is this normal? At what age does it become more relaxing? I’m only talking Dh and I maybe being able to sit on the balcony and watch the sunset with a glass of wine etc

We camped or did caravan breaks because it’s all we could afford paying childcare fees, it wasn’t much money to lose if it was awful and wide open spaces to run in with mobs of children wore them out enough to sleep. Holidays genuinely great when youngest hit 3. Had 6 year old to help with the tiring out.

Got a lot better from 3, but a wise old uncle of mine said it wasn't worth taking them anywhere where you have high expectations until they're 7. 7-13 have been the best years.

When ours were that age, we’d make sure they were utterly knackered so were bathed and zonked out in bed by 7.