Just want to go home

[holly201]

We are in Greece with our 1 year old and 2 other couples with their kids and I just want to go home.

Little one is overtired and hot, hates the travel cot but sleeps well at home, all of the sunbeds in the shade have towels on them by 7am, meal times are a nightmare, I just feel so overwhelmed.

Constantly worried DD with get burned, is too hot, isn't drinking enough water etc etc I can't relax at all, not one bit.

The room is so shabby, nothing like the photos, chipped tiles, dirty floors, the balcony glass rattles like it's about to break if you touch it. We paid good money, it's tiny and grubby and just shit.

Everything feels like a fight, screams to get in her swimsuit, screams getting out, doesn't want her nappy changed, screams at nap time, if I take her to the room with AC she just wants to play not sleep, it's a fight to all get showered and dressed for the evening.

I don't even know why I'm writing this but it feels good to get it off my chest, I think holidaying abroad with a 1 year old is the worst idea I've ever had. I think I'm going to give it a miss for the next couple of years 🤦🏻‍♀️

It is a difficult age for holidays. Two weeks earlier, heat wise would have been better. Try to think if the positives, no cooking or housework.

Yeah we learned this when DS was one. Took him to Fiji (closer to us!). Every time we'd go to leave the room he'd want to nap or activities weren't child friendly. Getting decent food he'd eat was tough.

My issue was that I hadn't adjusted from adventurous child free travel to holidays with kids. Mine are 11 and 8 now & it's a whole other set of problems!!

We've learned to accept those days are gone, for now, and compromise. We also make sure we do things for ourselves. I like early morning beach walks (I hate holidaying at the standard beach places) & DH sleeps late a couple of days.

But yes, we stay closer to home, as much as we hate it!!

Oh. I could have written this three weeks ago. We were in exactly the same position. I was googling flights home day 2. By day 4 it's eased off. Mine are 4 and 2.

Everyone asked me if we had a nice time. The truth was a bit of it was nice. A lots was very tricky and some was down right horrible.

Learnt a valuable lesson this holiday.

If they live off ice cream all week so be it. They won't die. But like you I found it so stressful. I knew the whinging and horrible behaviour would ease off slightly if they just had something to eat. We resorted to looking for a macdonald and I've never been so glad to see them eat a happy meal.

Keep giving water/juice fruit juice etc.

Would they nap in the pram?

I get it. It's bloody hard work and not a holiday. We won't be doing it again for a good few years.

Holidays with under 5s are never really holidays, especially with a 1 and 2yo - the day has to end with bedtime and meals are tricky. Sorry your accommodation is rubbish. Is it just you or do you have a partner with you?

Also. Can you go to the beach? We found this much better as the kids could play.

But cheap beach toys from local tat should. Annoying having to pay for sunbeds but you will get sun bed with brolly. Dip in and out of sea to keep cool.

I found it far more stressful around the pool. Wasn't helped that the pool was absolutely freezing and we couldn't use it and the weather wasn't overly hot. Beach was a much better option all round.

Other think buy a brolly from again said local store and use it on pool sun bed. I would buy some string and scissors and tie it on if you can't get one in the morning. The sunbed rush is the actual worst.

Oh and another thing...sorry I keep thinking of things that got me through

Walk to local supermarkets and buy some snacks etc for the room and then when nap time you can try and relax and take snacks with you for little one

Can you and your partner not take turns so you both have time dealing with the the stress of a one year old and some relaxing time?

I went with my 1 year old the first couple nights were rough, but we just went with the flow. Shared beds and all sorts, it's not home and a new environment for us all so we just winged it. Had a blast. If they don't like the swim outfit, maybe a T-shirt and shorts? Just throw out ideas around and see what can work. X

At that age dd used to love butlins. Honestly I would just do that for five days until they’re older

Yes holidays with small children are not really holidays. Better to choose something child orientated (Butlins) or rent a villa with your own space where you can make food you know the kids will eat.

I'm not sure how suggesting butlins now when OP is already there is helpful...

@holly201 this is bringing back memories of dd at 18months.
She caught a cold on the way out, kept us awake every night, it was the hottest summer in Greece for 40 years, dd wouldn’t eat anything except strawberries.

We ploughed on through and the next few years we stayed in the UK.

Thanks everyone, I realise I'm lucky to even be on holiday giving the shite circumstances of the cost of living crisis I'm just finding it difficult.

So far, today has been better, she ate an omelette and some fruit for breakfast and now is napping in her pram with the pram fan and snooze shade on so hopefully when she wakes up she will be in a good mood.

Thank you for all of the suggestions, I think a beach day might be on the cards, so many people around the pool, adults smoking on their sunbeds at the kids pool ☹️ (I'm an ex smoker so not anti smoking at all but feel like there should be a designated smoking area away from the kids).

It just isn't what I'm used to, DH and I have always loved going abroad. I have family in Miami so we've spent a lot of a child free holidays there and the Caribbean and I think this is just a different vibe all together and I was so hoping to embrace it and enjoy it with our DD.

I think our next trip abroad will be a villa or smaller hotel.

Honestly this sounds Braggy but this is why I would rather pay up and only do a holiday if it's 5 star and places where they can cater to anything you ask for. Even if it's a holiday once every few years.
We have always travelled with my dc and a place that has a variety of children's menus or can make anything, if they have separate kids pools, what activities for children. In very hot weather, what can we do / they cater for etc.
And above all, cleanliness is the number one factor for me.

Feel for you OP. I really struggled with holidays when mine were tiny. Essentially it’s not a holiday is it? Just same shit different (less convenient) location. Centre Parcs were generally our best trips. Pros and cons to self catering in general. Hang in there!

Sounds like you’ve picked the wrong accommodation this time - and I’d definitely photo all the problems, complain to the rep if you have one and go to town on a review when you get back. For now, see if you can find shady places or other places to swim/things to do.

We did Eurocamp when ours were little - much easier. I’d really recommend it.

I agree-
take some time out alone- each have a couple of hours to go and grab a coffee etc. no point in both being miserable!

go to a local supermarket and get some snacks etc that you know she’ll eat, and otherwise ice cream/ chips/ toast for a week won’t kill her.

get some pool toys and try not to worry about naps being too regimented- if she gets a decent amount of sunshine and swimming she will sleep!

as others have said you also maybe need to lower your expectations- my own theory is that the holidays you would have loved before kids (in my case citibreaks, walking etc) will be shit, those which you would have never considered pre-kids (centre parks, euro camp) etc are actually pretty good fun! Definitely look for somewhere with a good holiday club if you do go abroad again too!

Holidays aren’t what they used to be once you have kids. It is a lot of hard work & you don’t get much chance to chill. I’ve got a 6, 7 & 9 year old who have been to Greece every year of their entire lives (apart from 2020!). Genuinely once you get home you will mainly remember the good stuff!
Getting out & about early is handy so you can get back to your room for a few hours before going out for meals. A cool shower & dark room for a nap mid afternoon seems to help.

Greece has an awesome support network of mums so search expats in Greece you’ll find a mine of information and advice

I'd suggest you break the days up into short activities based on what DD might enjoy and take it hour by hour, prioritising her usual meal times and naps. So splash in a bucket of water for a while then a dip in the pool, then a snack, short walk in the buggy to look at people, maybe watch other DC at the playground etc. If there are any air conditioned attractions, aquarium, even shops with brightly coloured things to catch her eye try those. Take turns with your partner to be on duty so the other gets some peace with a book. If necessary take turns to go out to dinner with the rest of your friends so at least you get some peaceful meals. Above all, lower your expectations to the ground so any good parts are a nice surprise.

I would relax a bit, I find it's stressful if you over think it - also take it in turns to look after kids or have lie-ins! We have 2 under 3 and have had wonderful holidays - and went to Greece last week, all inclusive.

We hired a car though so we could go to the beach and the zoo and various other places. We took it slow, had hand fans, hats, sun cream and water.

The key thing is to not spend all day in the hotel, and if you do, have one of you on child duty and the other going for a swim, a drink or read a book. Enough days in the week to stretch it out!

Going on a holiday with any child 5 and under is never a holiday for adults - its just the same job at home but a different location. The only good thing about it is it gives your child new experiences and memories-and you get some nice photos.

Yep, why does anyone pretend any holiday abroad involving a flight with under 5's is fun unless you have an army of help. It's hell! They hate sand, get bitten, hate unfamiliar food, too hot, too cold. We had 1 hideous holiday in a villa with child free friends. I was done after 4 days. Stayed local until they were 5 and 7, bliss from then on.

We have camped with our DC in the UK (and occasionally northern Europe) for two weeks every summer and occasionally an extra week in May. Trailer tent so we have comfy beds off the ground, electricity, cupboards etc. All our holidays have been brilliant, chilled out and kids have a decent understanding of UK geography and its stunning scenery. We did a trip to EuroDisney in 2012 and had an all inclusive in Sicily when they were 11 & 13 so they were old enough to appreciate/help to plan excursions and choose activities so they're not unaware of other holidays. DD had a holiday with a friend to Nice last year (aged 18) and they both felt even as adults that they felt the hassle of airport delays etc was a pain and they are taking themselves off camping this year. Holidays are what you make them. Even as adults, my DC are keen to join us in a field again this year. For little ones, simpler is generally better so you can keep to routines and spend time chilling rather than being stressed. I know everyone has a preference and myself and DH were brought up with camping/caravan holidays so we will be biased in favour. The thought of taking very young children on a plane just for a holiday fills me with absolute horror!

I know what you mean it’s not really a holiday at all. I brought my son on holiday in Spain just before he turned 2. It was so hot and difficult to do anything. Also for some reason most of the playgrounds were out in the blazing sun with no shade, they were empty during the day and busy at night, I noticed kids stay up so late there and I can see why. It’s almost as bad as being stuck in the pouring rain because you can’t bring them out in it when it’s that hot. Try telling a 2 year old they need to stay in the shade !