To not go on holiday because it's raining all week?

[Elisabeth3468]

UK caravan holiday predicted rain every single day. Obviously I knew there was a chance the weather wouldn't be great but was hoping for a few dry days at least.
It's only a cheap caravan holiday (what we can afford) and we have a 3 year old and 7 month old.
Involves a lot of packing with two young children and it's a 5 hour drive.
We would definitely be going if the weather looked nicer .
My 3 year old is very energetic and needs a lot of running around/outdoor time. Baby doesn't sleep well in travel cot. We were planning more outdoor (free) things and not to be going to soft plays etc, although there is free swimming and soft play at the caravan site.

If we stayed home we'd do a couple of days out locally and also crack on with some house projects that really are desperate to be done so the time wouldn't be wasted.
We would obviously lose the money we paid for the holiday.
What would you do?
please no snide remarks that "you have to expect rain on UK Holiday etc" I do know that.... it's just predicted horrendous rain for the full week and stuck in a caravan with a baby and toddler without home comforts doesn't sound very fun haha.

Your children might enjoy it but won't remember much of it. Do what suits you best. If you'll benefit, then go. If you can use the time better at home, then stay. Hope you enjoy the time off whatever you decide to do ❤

Part of the issue is it's a long drive (5 hours?) and if it was closer it wouldn't be such a big deal. Presuming you can't change to somewhere closer to home. Anyway, break the journey with a decent stop somewhere en route and make that part of the holiday.

Go, make the most of the break, check 'rain radar' to see when you can dodge the worst of the weather. It's not ideal but it's a break away from home and maybe the weather will be better than currently predicted.

PP who say "don't go, I hate caravan holidays" would say that no matter what the weather so take no notice of them!

We are both on the fence with it really, both of similar mindsets

I've done a rainy caravan week, but kids were older and we didnt mind being out in the rain or in the arcades or local museums. I think with a baby and 7 month old you will be limitedin what you can do if there isnt loads of indoor activities nearby and onsite softplay and swimming etc.
Maybe check if there is something you can do each day that you will enjoy before you completely trash the holiday plans. But if not and you were planning on lots of walks and outdoor fun then probably best to stay home!

When are you meant to go?

If both unenthused, then abandon. You need one person at least to be enthusiastic about it. If both of you are glum about it, it’s hardly likely to be enjoyable for anyone

I can't think of any worse holiday than being stuck in a caravan with a lively pre-schooler and a non-sleeping baby while it poured with rain for a week! I'd far rather stay at home in my nice, spacious house, with everything I need and possibly better weather, oh and the chance to get some jobs done. I'd stay at home.

YABU. Weather forecasts are always pessimistic. The fact that the are forecasting rain on those days doesn't mean it will rain all day, and doesn't mean it will definitely rain at all every day.

If I'd based my holidays or days out based on weather forecasts, I'd never have gone anywhere.

A couple of months ago, we went up to Northumberland for the week. Long range forecast showed rain every day. In the event, yes, it did rain every day. But it was literally for maybe half an hour a couple of times per day and made no difference at all to our activities. In between the rain, there was plenty of sunny intervals and we enjoyed several country walks and walks on beaches without getting wet.

I would still go. Often when the forecast looks like it's going to be rain all day, it's a couple of showers and that's it.

The money is already spent. Whatever you do it's not coming back.

Could you go for a few days and if it gets too miserable and rainy you could return home?

Being stuck indoors with small children is really miserable experience, so don't feel you have to get your money's worth.

I took DS4 to Butlins and it rained everyday, plus the swimming pool was shut due to being broken, ended up leaving a day early. Every activity there consisted of queuing for over an hour in the cold and rain including the restaurant. OP, your children wont care if they have loads of fun on holiday or loads of fun at home so it's really down to if you and DH want to go

I'd go - it's a change of scene and it's a caravan, not a tent, which is truly miserable in bad weather. We cancelled on camping in a tent Cornwall a few years ago because rain and heavy storms were predicted, and were very lucky to find an airbnb for those dates at the last minute.

I'd go. Always happy to bundle the kids up and play on the beach with buckets and spades. They'll be gaps in the rain and I think these sorts of trips are so important for the DC to get quality time with mum and dad.

I would go and hope the weather improves. Your 3 year old will probably love the caravan mine did. You could always come home early if you have enough.

This made me laugh. You sound like me 😀

Go and possibly cut it short
if you do go take a roil of tin foil and sellotape
stick it on the bedroom windows acts like blackout curtains
otherwise kids be up ready as thin curtains let light in and wakes kids up

If we stayed at home, 3 year old would still attend nursery 4 mornings a week so we could deffo get some house stuff done.
He really is the kind of child that just loves exploring and little adventures so would enjoy it if we went.

What can I say? I like my creature comforts! 😁

All of you saying 'Go for a few days', it's a 5-hour drive each way! That's basically a whole day in the car with a 3-year-old and a baby. If it was an hour down the road, fine, but 5 hours is a bloody long way to go.

I would go, the forecast for Newquay is light rain showers, which will be either no rain, or light rain then sun, easy to dodge showers and the beaches are amazing.

Forecasts aren't always accurate. Maybe check nearer the time? But we did have one wet caravan holiday with DC and it was pretty miserable. We came home early.

I wouldn’t! Frankly in reflection I wouldn’t go on holiday anywhere with small children till both over 4!!!

I’ve got fond memories of some wet holidays with small dc. We took good outdoor wear but also took yummy food, dvds blankets and a new game or two - the orchard games ones are great at that age - and had some wet walks and some hot choc and indoor time. Dh and I also took turns to get out for a run or walk alone (bliss) at nap time.

With small children it is a whole new ball game. Do what you think everyone will be most happy with as a family. These times are to be treasured. A friend of mine went on a camping holiday for two weeks, it rained solidly and they picked up a vomiting bug. Nice holiday, NOT!

Forecasts are rarely right

If it's 5 hours away can you not swap to a site closer to home ?

but not if both his parents were clearly doing it through gritted teeth! neither of you are remotely enthusiastic about it op, and this kind of holiday needs one adult to be enthusiastic
plus you have lots of practical stuff to do

op… has someone in Rl said you should go? When are you due to leave?