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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Holidaying with a baby

7 replies

anya6 · 09/05/2024 12:19

My DH, DD 11 months, sisters, sisters boyfriend, brother, Mum & Dad and our dog have come on holiday to a holiday park, we've got a 4 bedroom lodge and it's beautiful here (right on the beach in Devon).

BUT it's such hard work 😵‍💫 we took DD abroad when she was 4 months and it was a faff but it was doable and we enjoyed it. This one is a whole other story.

DD is what everyone would call an "easy baby", she's full of giggles, only whinges when she's tired, sleeps 8-7, loves her food but I'm finding myself wishing I was at home and I hate it, I feel so guilty.

I feel like I'm at home but it's harder because I don't have everything to hand, can't just put her in the car and meet friends at soft play, can't just bung her dribbly, dirty clothes in washing machine on a quick wash, can't put her in her room with her books/toys and close baby gate and know she's safe for 10 minutes whilst I put some mascara on/brush teeth and wash. DH tore multiple ligaments in his ankle/foot 10 days before we came away so is struggling.

Everything seems a hazard (and most would regard me as a laid back Mum) I feel exhausted and overwhelmed.

We got here and went in the hot tub, put baby in with me (it's not hot, it's bath temperature water), 2 hours later we were all covered in rashes. Pool guy came and said they forgot to put the no entry sign on the gate to the hot tub as they forgot to put chemicals in 24 hours before our arrival and panicked and did it the morning of arrival and we should never of been in there with the chemicals, baby was unsettled all night I called 111 and a dr called me back and said to give piriton which I did (luckily packed the bottle as dr had prescribed it for her before for an unknown allergy rash) and it settled down thank god but does anyone else's mind feel cluttered/stressed holidaying with babies?! I feel like I see loads of other Mum's here walking about with their babies at 8/9am, looking put together and organised and I can't get DD out the door before 11 and then half the day is gone, I'm constantly thinking about her next meal on the go/has she had enough water etc.

We are off to Spain in 3 weeks and I feel like cancelling 😩 please tell me this is normal and I'm not just a stressy anxious mess 😖

OP posts:
Cazpar · 09/05/2024 12:24

There's 7 adults. Seven.

Why on earth can't one of them take her for twenty minutes while you get ready? Or take her out for a morning / afternoon?

What kind of 4 bedroom lodge doesn't have a washing machine?

As to the pool chemicals - that's an entirely separate issue that warrants a serious complaint!

Shelllyfish · 09/05/2024 12:28

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

HappierTimesAhead · 09/05/2024 12:29

Solidarity, I also remember some holidays that were really hard work when my kids were babies. I would think about what would make the Spain holiday easier and discuss that with your husband and put plans in place.

anya6 · 09/05/2024 12:37

Cazpar · 09/05/2024 12:24

There's 7 adults. Seven.

Why on earth can't one of them take her for twenty minutes while you get ready? Or take her out for a morning / afternoon?

What kind of 4 bedroom lodge doesn't have a washing machine?

As to the pool chemicals - that's an entirely separate issue that warrants a serious complaint!

I feel bad asking as they've come on holiday, not to babysit but they are amazing with her and take her to the park etc but then I just find myself sterilising bottles or doing anything else that needs to be done. The washing machine is a basic one and the quickest wash is 3 hours and 20 minutes 🤦🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
HappierTimesAhead · 09/05/2024 12:57

anya6 · 09/05/2024 12:37

I feel bad asking as they've come on holiday, not to babysit but they are amazing with her and take her to the park etc but then I just find myself sterilising bottles or doing anything else that needs to be done. The washing machine is a basic one and the quickest wash is 3 hours and 20 minutes 🤦🏻‍♀️

Personally I wouldn't feel bad as dipping in and out of babysitting an 11 month old is actually really enjoyable. It's only you as the main caregiver that is scunnered with it all because it's 24/7! What's your husbands role in all this though? Silent partner?

violetcuriosity · 09/05/2024 13:12

In the nicest possible way, just chill out. Hand her over when you need 20 mins for a shower etc. when you put her to bed that's your time to chill, she must still be having 2 naps a day, when she's sleeping read your book, have a glass of wine. I remember feeling exactly like you when I took my first on holiday about the same age, we now have more and 1 is 15m. We take her away and I guess have been worn down by it and do enjoy it now. I recognise when I'm getting over stimulated nowadays and make sure I put my foot down with having some of my own time. Stick a wash on early evening every day and hang out before bed, it'll be dry in the morning x

Makingchocolatecake · 20/08/2024 14:43

You're on holiday so dont do any washing! Save it up and take it home :-)

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