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 🤦🏻‍♀️

We’ve always holidayed with our babies and young kids and had a good time. But we always stay in really decent accommodation, we don’t mind if we all end up swapping beds, nap times are out of the window and I don’t stress about their fruit or veg intake. Basically, I just go with it. Different to home.
I wouldn’t write off holidays for the next decade. Maybe just think about how you approach the next one and hopefully you’ll have better luck with the accommodation

We have always holidayed with our children, it is the only thing that motivates us to go to work! Our children have been to many countries and always enjoyed it. But we have only travelled when we could afford nice hotels and keep the itinerary simple. Travelling with friends who have similar aged kids is also great. So mainly all inclusive 5 star resorts with good kids clubs and lots of activities. Try to make the most of it now that you are already there! Good luck!

Not sure Butlins will be anymore relaxing.

I have to say this isnt our experience at all as have always loved all inclusives from that age. But like another poster said, be picky! I’d rather go every other year to a nicer one if need be. Read the reviews from people with similar age kids.

First, definately a very good toddler/splash area. Lots of space to play, pirate ship, shallow water they can paddle in. Check out the Tui holiday villages or Viva/Zafiro hotels in Majorca.

We dont worry about food on holiday - if they live off chips and ice cream, its one week. Get back to a balanced diet back home. Make sure they drink lots/lots of lollies etc.

I would find a villa hard work for entertainment. Much easier in a nice hotel with a waterpark, evening entertainment (even if they are asleep in the buggy), playground and not having to worry about cooking anything/shopping etc.

At that age, personally I wouldn’t holiday with others. Plenty of time for that when they are older and want friends to hang out with. I’d go as your little family so there’s no pressure to do anything other than what suits you.

One other thing - the sunbed thing is everywhere. We gave up complaining as it happens in every hotel, every nationality does it (not just the Brits!). The kids are up early on holiday so we tend to put a towel down (if thats the done thing) and go straight to the pool from breakfast.

I hear ya sister! We went on holiday every year but each and every one was rubbish (overall, some nice monents notwithstanding) till the youngest was about 4 and out the buggy (they’re 9 and 11 now). Last few years they’ve been magical and everything we’d hoped for. Hang in there

I'd rather saw off my own leg than go to Butlins.

This!!
Next time book a holiday with a crèche or when old enough, a kids club where you can drop them off for half the day. they love it and they’re entertained and exhausted so will sleep at night.

That's an interesting thought. We didnt holiday much before we had DCs so there was nothing to miss.

We have never had a hotel based holiday, always self catered whether in our first ridge tent or a villa with our own pool.

DH does most of the cooking whether home or away. He does enjoy a mooch round a foreign supermarket. We kept meals simple and SC meant we could eat outside at a time which suited us and no worries about spills etc.

For DCs, holiday always meant a long drive - we never flew. The longest trip was down to Costa Blanca (decided that was a half day too far). DD1 had book tapes from the age of 4 then DVD players as they came along. Started with one between 3 then one each as prices came down.

Most holidays were in French campsites away from beaches which means bigger pitches. Mobile homes once funds allowed, they are designed for small children and still worked well when DCs were teenagers.

It does get better.

We learnt by this kind of mistake that we would only go to places that have kids clubs and childcare, activities, creches and a separate living room and bedroom for the room so we arent all stuck in one dark rokm come 7pm. If we cant afford that kind of holiday then we dont go as its not enjoyable. You are not being unreasonable. Next holiday then research this extensively, there are loads of hotels that cater for young kids and families. Or holidays like caravan holidays where you have a chill space once the kids are asleep. We went to a boutique hotel with our one year old and it was hell and I ended up drinking a bottle of calpol as I had an extreme headache and no tablets and then we got up at 5am the next day and went home early as it was awful. Ao no youre not unreasonable but take it as a learning curve and choose your hotels wisely. We have stayed in aome amazing hotels since that cater for families with creches, playrooms, activities and games etc.

I have never been overseas with the kids and me & DH.
We have gone with my parents & sometimes sister too.
The more adults you have, the more you can share the load.
We had 1 holiday where youngest just wouldn't sleep anywhere but on me.
I took most night shifts, DH & my parents the day shifts so I could rest....I took DS for naps and was just about sociable by eve meals lol.
Also had holidays where they have slept with us....just cose it meant we all got sleep.
Honestly, you have my sympathy, it must be so hard.

I think now mine are high school age I could manage with them and just us 🤣.

Spanish hours are different. Everyone goes out in the evening, eats late, children stay up among the adults. Playgrounds are out in the sun because they will be used at dusk and in the evening and they will retain the warmth of the day. If on holiday in Spain follow the local pattern with a siesta in the heat of the afternoon, eating late in the evening. Works ok, then.