Cold feet over abroad holiday

[panicnodisco]

We are due to go to Spain on Saturday. First abroad holiday in many years. Dh, I, 10 year old dd and toddler. Never been abroad with the toddler and she can be quite hard work!

It seemed like a good idea when I booked it. But now it's almost here I'm having second thoughts and feeling really anxious. She is prone to meltdowns and likes to run off. I don't know how well she will sleep or how she'll cope with the travel, heat and change of routine. She is full on at home and most days we are exhausted by the time she's in bed at 7.

My 10 year old will be ok but I'm worried she will be a bit neglected while all of our time is focused on looking after the little one.

It's a family friendly resort with a pool and entertainment. Beach nearby. Obviously too late to cancel so please no horror stories! Just positive ones and any tips welcome please!!

Your ten year old will make friends and be in the pool, taking part in activities etc. she won’t feel neglected, she will be having a brilliant time!
advice for toddler? Relax all the rules and go with the flow. iPad, easy food/snacks. Comfy cool clothes. Let her nap whenever. Take buggy everywhere. I did many holidays with toddlers and had a brilliant time, some of my most favourite memories are splashing in the pool or playing on the beach with my kids when they were little. I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time 😊

I understand the nerves! But you have two parents and two children? So presumably you can divide and conquer, making sure both kids get the attention they need. It will be fun taking the older one to do some sightseeing, you can take that in turns.

As for the heat and sleeping, you will just have to see how it goes. Good luck!

Well you can take it in turns to deal with little one so older DC gets a fair amount of attention.

I am sure it will be fine, toddler should be asleep in buggy and you can carry on with your evening.

Have fun.

Does your room have air conditioning? If not, first say find a supermarket and buy a big fan

I honestly think the novelty and excitement will be a tonic for your toddler and you all. Try not to worry - you will absolutely cope, and most likely find a lot of enjoyment!

Thanks all. We have a pretty solid routine at home and I just don't know how she'll react. She's very spirited shall we say. And I'm quite a nervous traveller myself so really not sure what I was thinking.

I need to have a more chilled out and roll with it attitude but that's doesn't come naturally to me!

Divide and conquer spend time with each child on their own

Encourage older DD to join in activities, get her to bring a tablet so she can enjoy the flight, chill in the room etc

A snoozeshade is a must for a toddler napping

Keep the same routine as at home

My approach when Dts were smaller was same shit, different location. Adjust your expectations down. It won't be relaxing for you.

We did caravan holidays in France when young as I did but have the sort of children that could be out of routine. At least we had the decking we could sit out on when they went to sleep and we had separate bedrooms. Are you in a hotel / family room set up?

My toddler DD is an absolute fireball. She is such a whirlwind, into everything. You need eyes in the back of your head. We went away in May and she totally shocked me. All she wanted to do was play on the park, sit on the sun bed with a colouring book or toys, or sleep. I was expecting to be on edge, chasing after her, had nightmares about her being near the pool, but she was the opposite. The heat must have wiped her out.

If your hotel has a creche you can pay for, use it! I was apprehensive at first, but my god, she loved it. She'd go running in, didn't want to leave after the two hours. It gave her two hours out of the sun, in a nice air conned room, a group of similar aged children to play with. She had great fun in there. It was so worth the money for the enjoyment she got from it.

We go this week too. I always get nervy before we go and wonder if it'll be worth it. I think for me it's preparing for the journey. I'm not frightened of flying but I don't like it and I hate all the fuss of booking parking and massive queues for everything.

Always have a great time when we are there and forget about the 'is it worth it' thoughts until next time.

You can join me on the 'pre holiday angst' bench OP.