Or am I right that this is pointless with a toddler?

[grepadpp]

I have a 2.5 year old. I’m a single parent thought her dad is involved (never has overnight, his choice). I expect he would have overnight on a Saturday or something if I pushed it but he absolutely wouldn’t have her in the week as he works crazy hours and is around 1.5 hours from her nursery. I have no grandparent support in this week either, she couldn’t stay over.

anyway, I would love to just have a mini break to Europe. Not bothered where but just to see something. Something historical. Just to get myself out of the mundane day to day.

whenever I look at it I just think it would be stressful with dd wouldn’t it? Would it even be worth it? I have some spare money but not loads and don’t want to waste it. I would love to go without her but it’s not possible. Am I right I need to just accept this and ignore how I feel while she’s small?

I would absolutely do this. It won’t be like a mini break on your own but you won’t regret the memories of eating ice creams with your daughter in a beautiful town square, or letting her run wild in a beautiful park or garden, or eating pizza with her under a dusky evening sky.

It won’t be relaxing or self-indulgent or an opportunity to recharge but it could give you beautiful memories and a refreshing change from the usual grind.

There are limits with what you can do with a toddler but you can design breaks that work for you both

Might be easier when they are slightly older

First think about doing something locally - a national trust place might have a playground and cafe as gardens and history and you can often do a little history if you sandwich it with other things - your turn, mummies turn - try something locally and once they have the hang of sharing the adventures then you should be able to go away further

I think it's easier from about age 6 or 7 though when sharing and waiting turn becomes easier

I think it depends on your 2.5 year old! I did some solo UK city breaks (though he was closer to 3) and probably could’ve gone abroad if I was braver. But mine was a pretty easy toddler - had good understanding when I explained things and was not prone to tantrums. I think if yours is tricky you’d be worth waiting til they’re just a bit older so can they be excited (not confused, scared or grumpy) about things like the journey and hotel.

I think a little bit, yes - especially the historical part.

At that age, the best holidays for us have been ones with a lot of nature eg country walks and places to explore, or at an all inclusive with a good kids' pool and mini disco. Self catering also very helpful.

A 2yo can't sustain interest in historical stuff so you'll be struggling trying to enjoy it yourself while placating a bored and whining child.

I’ve done mini city breaks since 10wks (they are now 3), and always had a great time. I don’t think it’s pointless to take a child on holiday, everyone likes a break.

Just to say that my 2yo wasn't bored or whining at historical stuff and not was I as a child (according to my mother, I saw a picture of Elizabeth I at that age and imprinted like a duckling). Totally depends on your child and you, I think. My DS would hate a sporty holiday but my nephew would love it!

Don’t forget there are beautiful historical places in the uk, you could get started here, get her used to travelling and sleeping in strange places before you go all out!

Having had two toddlers, i think it’d be hard at 2.5 to go abroad but far far easier by 3.5. An all inclusive beach break or whatever might be easier this year and something more adventurous break next year when you’re not dictated by nap times or in the thick of tantrums.

That said, it all depends on your toddlers temperament so if they are easy and adaptable and you think they will be fine then go for it!

I'm not a single mum but no, I personally wouldn't attempt this holiday. When they are very young a holiday is just a location change. All the routine and restrictions of small children come with you. That's not to say it can't be a positive experience in the right location though.

100% do it
Ive done a few trips with my daughter (who is now also 2.5yo)
She loves exploring! I take her to cathedrals, museums, castles. She’s not quiet 😂 but she LOVES seeing new things!

Top tips… no where too hot or too cold. I tried Austria in December and it was a disaster because she didn’t want to be outside. And get sensible flight times because she won’t walk around nicely if she’s tired!
Good luck and have fun!

If you do go, I’d suggest Valencia. Huge play park (even I went on it), beach, nice town, aquarium. Stay in an air bnb do you have a bedroom and can do breakfast, lunch nap.

You should absolutely do it! Of course it will be more stressful than if you didn't have a child, but there will still be lovely bits to it!
Just make sure you rent a flat or cabin or whatever, rather than a hotel.. so there's space for toddler to play and you can do mealtimes whenever you need to, and so you can have a bedroom for her to be in separate to the living area so you can relax a bit after she's in bed.
Don't plan to do too much each day regarding sightseeing. Maybe 1 thing a day and then go and chill out in a nice park where she can run about.
I took a toddler to Venice on my own. Yeah it was stressful but I have such lovely memories of it. I stayed in a little flat on the Lido. Lido has a beach so I'd go to the main island by boat in the morning to see whatever and then after lunch we'd just relax on the beach or back at the flat. Only ate lunch out and cooked dinners back at the flat.

Tbh I'd be inclined to look at booking an all inclusive with a baby club/creche so you get a break, you can then do some sightseeing on top.

Presumably you can travel outside of term time? We've done term time all inclusive for less than £1k for a week in the med.

I would do it, but avoid anywhere that's likely to be too hot. Some European cities are truly roasting in the summer, and everything shuts for siesta all afternoon.

It could work somewhere like Bruges - I expect DD would enjoy a boat trip on the canals, or a ride on a horse and cart, the whole town is small and very walkable. Just don't try to pack too much in.

I get really worried about this 'it's pointless doing something with a toddler' way of thi;king.

Every new experience helps develop a child's brain, doing new and stimulating things every so often is vital. DS hardly remembers anything we did with him as a child now he's in his 20s, but he certainly loved doing them at the time.

As PPs have said it's not going to be that relaxing for you and you should choose somewhere that has lovely public spaces where you can mosey round with a little one, but well worth doing.

It's better than not going. Just don't compare it to a child free holiday.

I would maybe wait a little bit... but then crack on! Otherwise you'll never get to go anywhere nice!
My DD was a bolter at 2.5 though, and I would have had to have her on the toddler reins at all times so she didn't run into traffic... now at 3.5 I imagine it'd be quite fun!

Look at MSC cruises. Seriously the easiest way to have something approaching a normal holiday, with a toddler as a single parent.

Is there a hotel somewhere with a good kids club that you could put her in? Would she like that, just for an afternoon or two, so you can go out and mooch, then enjoy the rest of the time with her.

I think it's a great idea.

We recently did a 7 night cruise and visited Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and France. Ok so we had to drive down to Southampton, but our parking was right outside the ship.

We had a couple of sea days and there was so much to do onboard (including kids clubs!

One day in port was enough for our kids to experience the different places. One is terrified of flying so this worked well.

You don’t have to do 7 days, There was a guy on YouTube we watched before we went who only did the Southampton to Germany, then flew home.

Having done short haul with the eldest when they were 2, a cruise ship is a much more relaxed option IMO.

I think it's a good idea, obviously exclude anywhere where you would be crammed in like sardines - Rome!
If it could be inside and outside, it might be more amusing for the LO, while being interesting for you.
I would give it a go - anywhere you have in mind?

Definitely do it.

Depending on how far south you are, could you start off with Eurostar to Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels? That way you don’t have the flight to deal with and can take shitloads of baggage.

I’d give it a go with toddler - keeping expectations minimal and age appropriate. lots of breaks and icecream .

Would also start trying to increase dads involvement . Not going to happen overnight but surely he needs to step up and start having her overnights / at weekends etc?

mainly to build his relationship with her but has the added bonus that by the time she is school age he can take her on holiday to spend Quality time with her and this will enable you to have the time alone to do things that you want to do .