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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

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

34 replies

grepadpp · 31/07/2024 15:30

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?

OP posts:

Ourdearoldqueen · 31/07/2024 17:15

Marmite27 · 31/07/2024 16:54

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.

That is the absolute beauty of cruises IMO. You just drive to the port and boom! You’re on holiday! No flight or baggage allowance or anything! Fabulous.

And OP, read this next bit slowly. MSC gives FREE CHILDCARE from 4 months old. Till 2am!!!

5128gap · 31/07/2024 17:26

Depends. Are you a half a cake is better than none person? Or are you a if I can't do it properly I'll be more frustrated than not bothering? Because it can be done, it can be fine, but it'll be a huge compromise from what you might ideally want from the break. If you're happy to go with expectations on the floor and treat anything you're 'allowed' to do as a bonus, then why not. I'd recommend Tallin.

Marmite27 · 31/07/2024 17:28

Ourdearoldqueen · 31/07/2024 17:15

That is the absolute beauty of cruises IMO. You just drive to the port and boom! You’re on holiday! No flight or baggage allowance or anything! Fabulous.

And OP, read this next bit slowly. MSC gives FREE CHILDCARE from 4 months old. Till 2am!!!

Show quote history

Ours was an MSC cruise and it was fabulous. It was not however, relaxing! There was too much to do.

C152 · 31/07/2024 17:28

The things you do when they're young, shape their expectations of experiences as they get older. So if you want to travel, take your toddler travelling. It will only be as stressful as you want it to be. You do need to manage your own expectations, as travelling with a child is different to travelling by yourself, when you can do anything you want to all day/evening. But if you go with the mindset that you can do a bit of the things you want, in between doing some child friendly activities, you'll both have fun. I took my DS on holiday from 6 months. He understood he had to let me do some things I wanted to do, then we would do something he wanted to do. So we did go to art galleries, but I knew his limitations and didn't expect to wander around for hours - it was one hour in a gallery, followed by a snack in the cafe, then off to the park of wherever he chose next. There are also lots of simple things we both enjoy, like going for ice cream, swimming at the beach, walking in the woods etc.

RedOnyx · 31/07/2024 17:31

Slightly different scenario since we live in Europe rather than travelling over, but when people come to visit they obviously want to look at things etc. My daughter is 2.5 and as long as we plan in an occasional trip to a playground or make one of the activities a zoo/animal park she's generally pretty happy. So far this year she's been on a boat trip, visited a city an hour and a half away (including having to change trains), accompanied us while we showed someone round the city we live in and gone up a mountain in a cable car. It does probably depend on your child's personality and temperament though. Mine can't walk so we don't have the issue of little legs getting tired since she's always in a pushchair anyway.

threonate · 31/07/2024 17:35

3.5 minimum for me, they're so much easier by then (generally speaking!)

circular1985 · 31/07/2024 18:56

I would do it, and did do lots of solo trips when was that age. Depends on the toddler though. My dd was very agreeable and used to travelling.
If you pick the right city, with a mix of kid friendly things to do then plan the things you want to do for times you think they might have a nap or just happy resting in a buggy. My dd loved sitting in cafes watching the world go by.

mindutopia · 31/07/2024 18:59

Absolutely go, I’ve travelled to Europe for city breaks with mine at this age (and younger and older). It’s been great. I mean you won’t be out clubbing, but it was a lovely change of scenery. We enjoyed the playgrounds and lots of ice cream and museums and had picnics in parks.

supersonicginandtonic · 31/07/2024 19:00

Do it! They'll love it! I can't tell you it's easier with toddlers than with teens mooching about with you 😂

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