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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Are abroad holidays worth it toddlers?

78 replies

daisydoo32 · 12/04/2024 23:26

Really weighing up the pros and cons at the minute. Desperate for a sunny beach holiday and our older dc would love it too but with a high maintenance toddler in tow, is it ever worth it?

Prices are looking at 3k ish which is so much money for us. I'm torn between wanting to make memories but equally knowing it will be hard work with not much chill time.

Do we bite the bullet and book something? Or is it best to wait til the diva is older? FWIW she's very fun loving and I know she'd love the pool and entertainment in a family resort but equally she's quite demanding and doesn't like the word no. Travel, change of routine, small hotel rooms are all worrying me. Advice?

OP posts:
WhatAreYouOnAbout · 12/04/2024 23:27

Would you go camping in Europe? Self catering or airbnb so much better than a hotel with toddlers

Katela18 · 12/04/2024 23:28

We did this last year, kids were 3 and 1 at the time and tbh we swore we wouldn't do it again until they are much older.

It was a lot of stress, kids were out of routine, no space etc etc. just wasn't worth the money to us! We are sticking to short uk breaks for the next few years x

cherish123 · 12/04/2024 23:29

Yes

IdontlikePinaColada · 12/04/2024 23:30

Started writing one reply, but then read the rest of your post.
It's unfair that your youngest DC dictates the holiday. Are your older two boys and the youngest a girl?

fereintope · 12/04/2024 23:32

We've had holidays abroad and in the UK, and the UK holidays were loads of fun for my dcs as toddlers and at primary age. I think it's nice to go abroad if you can afford it but if it's a stretch then staying in the UK is fine. We've had great holidays at Butlins, Isle of Wight, Cornwall, Legoland.

Yes it's hard work wherever you go with a toddler and not chilled, but I've never gone on family holidays expecting to relax so that's been fine. We never opt for hotels now though, I like having a separate living area and some kitchen facilities.

SwordToFlamethrower · 12/04/2024 23:32

Seaside holidays are ideal for little ones. No airplanes, plenty of fresh air, lovely attractions for them. South Coast, Yorkshire coast, just loads of choices! And cheaper!

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 12/04/2024 23:34

You know, I begged my husband to agree to a holiday this year and so far searching for somewhere that suits our needs as a family of 4 (4yr old and 2yr old) just isn't coming to fruition.

All the 4 hotels are actually like 3 - I do not want to spend 3-4k on a shotty hotel. If he so sad getting there knowing I'd spent that for one week.
We did a cruise with them when they were 2.5 and 6m and it was hard work tbh.

I'm thinking of just suggesting somewhere on Scotland (where we live!) instead.

budgiegirl · 12/04/2024 23:35

We did it when my kids were little - they all travelled from age 3 months up.
We always did self catering, although ate out in the evenings as much as possible. We found this easiest - more space, easier to spend proper time together once the kids were in bed in the evening (didn't need to go to bed when the kids did), no creeping around a hotel room trying not to wake each other up.

It's wasn't easy, but it was worth it, we have some lovely memories. But you do have to be realistic that it will be different from past holidays - not relaxing exactly. But can still be a lot of fun

Crikeyalmighty · 12/04/2024 23:42

My best holidays with kids when young were Eurocamp (other companys available) type mobile homes on big French sites with masses of amenities- casual, fun, and suprisingly sociable

Sagittarius · 12/04/2024 23:43

We took our son away for the first time abroad when he was 3.5 and it was fantasic and dare I say, easy. We do only have 1 child though, so I know that makes things easier.

Ours was a different approach to PP, we picked an AI hotel that was very family orientated and the entertainment was geared up for under 10s and he was was a dream.

Napped everyday for 2 hours, he had dropped naps a year earlier at home so this was great for us. As he had a nap, he was able to stay up a bit later into the evening, about 10ish, which meant we also enjoyed our evenings . He would then sleep in till about 8.30.

We have very fond memories of that holiday, my son still talks about it now.

saraclara · 13/04/2024 00:08

I know Mumsnet likes to moan about kids and holidays, but as a family we've always loved them. I miss those days. When they were little everything was a wonder to them and they lapped up every new experience. Then as we started going further afield and to places with different cultures they continued to soak it up.

We didn't do hotels until they were a fair bit older though. Small caravan parks in the uk, then campsites in France, then apartments in Spain, then the long haul stuff and hotels.

They're in their mid 30s now and we still have a break together with their partners and kids every year!

Kitkat1523 · 13/04/2024 01:50

This is so unfair on your older DC….you chose to have 3 ….I had 3 like you….youngest was 5 years younger than the middle one…..yes holidays abroad were harder…..but so worth it for the older 2

coxesorangepippin · 13/04/2024 01:51

Nope

Notmyuser · 13/04/2024 01:56

I actually find the toddler easier than the school aged one. You can bring the buggy for naps, they can sit in the shade in the buggy, you don’t need to traipse around to find a less unclean toilet at short notice, and so on.

Revelatio · 13/04/2024 03:59

I love them! We’ve been abroad about 10 times in total with our 2.5yr old. Always had a great time, very chilled. We’ve always rented a villa and found it easy.

WhatWouldYouDo33 · 13/04/2024 04:05

I have taken my kids abroad from very young and we love holidays abroad. I can’t imagine staying in England also because of the weather. For me it comes down to a few things:
-expectations: be realistic on what’s possible and don’t drag your kids aroud Roman ruins in 35 degrees
-prep: bring the right things, sun protection, sun hats, favourite snack, toys and books, emergency medicine, book accommodation that works for your family (personally I hate SC, some people love it)
-chill: they will survive if they eat chips and ice cream for a week or don’t stick to their normal routine etc

but YABVU to call a small toddler diva

Soupsetanddefeated · 13/04/2024 05:43

I agree with @Sagittarius we have just booked a week at a Tui Blue for families in the balaeric islands in June. It's all inclusive, a short flight and they have a kids club, evening entertainment etc. my two will be 7 and 2.5. It's just under £3k.

We did similar when the eldest was 18 months and an only in Portugal, and then when they were 5 and 7 Months to Greece.

Is it mega easy, no. But for us, being in the sunshine, away from work, someone to cook meals and clean the rooms etc is a massive bonus. We use the kids club for a couple of hours most days so we get some adult in only chill time and if one of them naps in the day we plan to head back to the room and nap ourselves too. If one won't sleep, we take it in turns to go out with them alone so we all get equal family time, 121 time, alone time and rest. The good quality nap means we can stay up later in the evenings too.

i think a holiday with a toddler is what you make it, don't expect too much. We never leave the resort for example which I would like to do but for us that's too much - but only for a few years.

My tips would be a short flight, lots of child friendly facilities and activities and don't expect too much and you'll have a blast.

I'm not usually one to be sucked into social media trends but this whole "you only get 18 summers" with them thing is on my mind at the moment. We work hard all year, I want to make memories they'll cherish for years to come.

IAmAnIdiot123 · 13/04/2024 05:53

We took ds abroad for the first time when be was 2, he loved it and the pool/sun knackered him out so he ended up asleep in thr buggy most evenings. We are taking my now 4yo ds and 1yo ds abroad this year and I am really looking forward to it!

Sunnnybunny72 · 13/04/2024 06:15

From three, yes. Younger than that, no.

MaryShelley1818 · 13/04/2024 06:55

Absolutely worth it! Our holidays with our children have been absolutely amazing! My favourite thing to do, I can honestly say the best time of my life.
DS6 and DD3 have so far done Disneyland Paris x 4, Belgium, Holland, Portugal, Salou, Majorca, Menorca, and they're going to Florida in October. There would have been a couple more but Covid cancelled trips.
We (and them) would have missed out on the best experiences if we hadn't travelled with infants/toddlers. We've also done dozens of UK breaks which are lovely and we go somewhere often but nowhere near as good as abroad for us.

Sharptonguedwoman · 13/04/2024 08:39

Do it. Go. You have older children as well to consider by the sound of it. I loathe the whole 'making memories' thing but this I know: My family holidayed in cheap caravans in Wales and similar and my memories of those holidays are not great. The weather was shocking much of the time, rain, wind and cold. Take a short flight or ferry to France or similar and be somewhere you know the sun is going to be shining tomorrow. Somewhere you can swim and be outside, maybe an apartment?

ElaineMBenes · 13/04/2024 08:45

We always thought it was worth it.
We booked places with lots of kids activities and kids clubs.

Sonolanona · 13/04/2024 08:48

We recently went to Australia with a very lively 2.9 year old! It was fine.
But we were prepared (and to be fair lots of us..parents, grandparents and auntie)
We took a selection of favourite toys, spent lots of time at the beach and let him sleep when he needed, stay up late if he'd napped and didn't stress about routines. He was great...even on the incredibly long flights.

We stayed in an Airbnb which meant it felt more like (a very nice!) home and easier to just chill.

Scottishskifun · 13/04/2024 08:50

Yes! We have done a few now but have found that we need to avoid Spain/Spanish islands for the time being as dinner starts from 7pm in most places which is 6pm UK time. Mine can't hack that late a dinner (very routine based). We have found Greece and Turkey to be good.

We also book with crèche clubs/kids rooms which are air con and lots of games available. Found AI is the best for us at the moment (this is the polar opposite of what DH and I would have done pre kids) after spending nearly £40 a day on ice creams and drinks in Menorca. Found somewhere which has 2+ restaurant options to allow variety.

My 2 are exhausted by the end of the day so after dinner and a kids entertainment they are ready for bed and fall asleep in 5 mins!

Hoplittlebunnyhophophopandstop · 13/04/2024 08:52

How old are the kids? Multiple toddlers then no. A 2 year old and a 4 year old then yes. Just one toddler then yes.