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Original poster

Dreading first holiday abroad with DS

128 replies

80schildd · 26/09/2025 09:53

Nothing is booked yet but my DH is adamant he wants us to go abroad (Tenerife) in early December when our DS will be 17 months.

I just can’t see past this being really stressful, the travelling, not being able to relax, worrying about food etc.

Am I being unreasonable to think this? He says he will be fine once we are there. Positive stories from anyone who has done it would be welcome!

OP posts:
CosyDenimShark · 27/09/2025 19:04

We took DS1 to Portugal at that age. He was good as gold and we had a great time. We took a surprise bag with us for the plane journey to keep him occupied. Small new toys he'd not seen before, colouring books, story books and little snacks. He loved it.

GlasgowGal2014 · 27/09/2025 19:06

We took our DS on holiday when he was 15 months old and just starting to walk and we had a lovely time! I say go for it, it will be good to get some winter sunshine. I'd recommend staying somewhere with an all inclusive buffet because that works really well for young kids because you don't need to worry about ordering a plate of food and them rejecting it all!

fruitypancake · 27/09/2025 19:06

We did it when DS was 12 months and had a wonderful time . He slept in the buggy most days which allowed time for sunbathing and relaxing, we let him stay awake mostly in evenings and he enjoyed the buffet experience

Mt563 · 27/09/2025 19:06

There's never really a prefect age to start travelling with kids so, as going abroad is something we love, we determined to bite the bullet ASAP and have been travelling with ours since 4 months old. Obviously it's not like travelling alone and we have to adapt each time but it's great.

Cathmawr · 27/09/2025 19:12

We took DD on her first abroad holiday to Berlin when she was 17 months. She was great! We booked night flights hoping she would sleep but she was too excited so did end up very over tired 🤣 she loved getting a fuss off everyone and was very happy though. We took a pram so she could nap wherever when we were out and about. She shared a bed with me and slept great even though it was a new place. I'm more apprehensive now she's two and a half and can throw a mean tantrum when she wants to!

Vitriolinsanity · 27/09/2025 19:15

We took DS on his first overseas trip at 3 months. Then every 6 months until he started school.

My advice. Start with an apartment or aparthotel, you have amenities and can sit in the balcony when he’s in bed. Avoid villas, stress of pool access too exhausting.

As they get older progress to AI; more kids, early evening entertainment and back to the balcony and a glass of wine.

Flights. Start nearer than Tenerife which is 4 hours. Majorca or Malaga is an up and down flight with low hassle transfers. Also Spanish so food is great and restaurants and hotels love kids.

5128gap · 27/09/2025 19:22

You need to be certain of a heated pool and a location where there's plenty of day trips, and get a hire car. Because you are very unlikely to be spending long beach days. They tend to love it for 30 minutes tops! Lots of local attractions will mean you get out and about and DS gets a change of scene and some stimulation.

NorthLion · 27/09/2025 19:24

It’s absolutely down to how you are with holidays.
I find travelling hard, stressful and anxiety inducing. So I personally wouldn’t consider that sort of holiday yet. I did though do 3 days city break when my first was 12 months and that worked for me. If you really really enjoy that sort of holiday anyway, and didn’t find holidays stressful pre baby, then you’ll prob be ok and have a great time.

Clearinguptheclutter · 27/09/2025 19:28

We took DS to the algarve when he was 14 months. It was lovely! Off season so quiet

in hindsight we tried to do a bit too much exploring with the hire car, wish we hadn’t and had just chilled out at the hotel/beach

ds was happy so we were happy

i found it less stressful to do self catering so consider that. Basically took all the food and milk I needed with me. But we went out for some nice dinners with DS asleep (ish) in the buggy

Readyforslippers · 27/09/2025 19:28

It really shouldn't be stressful, you just need to be prepared to go with the flow a little more than you might usually. If he has treats on the plane, or stays up a bit late or doesnt have naps at a particular time don't let it worry you, just accept that routines change on holiday and small children usually adapt to this just fine. On the plane take a small bag of new mini toys so that you can give him a new one whenever he loses interest. My dd was fascinated at that age by a sensory cat tail book thing we found on Amazon! I hate flying, but it was easier with dd as she took all my attention.

CurlewKate · 27/09/2025 19:29

What about the food specifically is worrying you?

Tiswa · 27/09/2025 19:33

We took DS to the Sunwing Resprt Fanabe (back when it was a Thomas Cook Hotel and well Thomas Cook hadn’t gone bankrupt) at 19 months (also had a 4 year old) and it was great - so great we did it again for 3 years until we outgrew it. Haven’t been since 2017 but loved it

Aimtodobetter · 27/09/2025 19:35

I’ve done holidays at that age and it felt like I was barely surviving it - but it was enjoyable for my eldest (the youngest is still younger) so that is fun. I’d make a deal with your husband though that he will give you a few hours to yourself every day to relax if he insists on the holiday.

Judecb · 27/09/2025 19:41

You'll have a lovely time! The weather is warm/hot and any food you get here, you can get there. If you're in a hotel, why don't you investigate kids clubs? I think it will be much more relaxing than you think.

Yourcatisnotsorry · 27/09/2025 19:46

Holidays with little ones have absolutely been the best time of my life. Yes the plane won’t be terribly relaxing at that age but you’ll have such fun together. Why don’t you try somewhere with a shorter flight first, like the algarve which is beautiful.

Skybluepinky · 27/09/2025 19:46

Holidays with kids are never holidays for the parents, but if you want a holiday that’s just how it is.

Readyforslippers · 27/09/2025 19:49

Skybluepinky · 27/09/2025 19:46

Holidays with kids are never holidays for the parents, but if you want a holiday that’s just how it is.

See, I know we're all different, but I just don't understand this, I've loved the times we've had together travelling as a family.

TheLette · 27/09/2025 19:51

Personally I'd only find it a holiday if you can use a kids club for a few hours each day, to give you some downtime. Otherwise it will be fine. But I disagree with other posters saying use car hire / taxi car seats - that's not a great idea as you don't tend to get age appropriate/clean/safe options. Bring your own car seat, it's a hassle but worth it for safety.

UsernameMcUsername · 27/09/2025 19:55

80schildd · 26/09/2025 09:53

Nothing is booked yet but my DH is adamant he wants us to go abroad (Tenerife) in early December when our DS will be 17 months.

I just can’t see past this being really stressful, the travelling, not being able to relax, worrying about food etc.

Am I being unreasonable to think this? He says he will be fine once we are there. Positive stories from anyone who has done it would be welcome!

I've always been a confident traveller, but completely don't think you're BU not wanting to do Tenerife with a 17mo. I did fly etc when mine were that age but only because we had to visit family in my home country. Its a total PITA. Otherwise we just did really chill self-catering UK holidays. Funnily those hols are some of my happiest travel memories too. Tenerife'll still be there in a few years. But at least get a self-catering apartment if you do go. Hotel rooms + babies / younger toddlers suck.

Also definitely have a chat about expectations with him. He may subconsciously be imagining a holiday like the ones you used to have, or one where you are default parent 24/7

ainsleysanob · 27/09/2025 20:00

Readyforslippers · 27/09/2025 19:49

See, I know we're all different, but I just don't understand this, I've loved the times we've had together travelling as a family.

Show quote history

Me too. I really don’t get it.

Zanatdy · 27/09/2025 20:03

We took DD to Tunisia for 2wks when she was 17 months. I did a lot of laps of the pool! But did still enjoy it.

Swissmeringue · 27/09/2025 20:06

Tbh I've never understood the fuss about travelling with young kids. We've taken both of ours away at every age and been fine. At 17 months I'd be booking/paying for a seat on the plane for them though. Not a chance would I want them in my lap! We took our just turned 2 year old (and 6 year old but she was obviously fine) on a 12 hour flight last year and although it wasn't the best 12 hours of my life it was do-able. The kids just eat whatever is available.

I'd be worried that it would be too cold to swim which would kinda defeat the object. Maybe suggest April next year instead?

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 27/09/2025 20:08

sittingonabeach · 26/09/2025 10:21

Will DH share the parenting?

This is the only real question I think.

Holidays with kids are as good or as awful as both parents are willing to step up and give each other some rest.

Birch101 · 27/09/2025 20:15

Haven't done it but wanted to and researched a fair bit

Long flights so pack to entertain.

And look for hotels with heated pools and with kids club facilities parents with younger children can use with parents present

My partner made a location where we can go for a walk as part of a way to get out of the hotel a must. Can't exactly sit on a beach for 8hrs with a young one so wanted warm pools, indoor crafts/soft play, outdoor playground, nice walk to create some kind of routine and of course good food!

Tots too is a good website to look at as highlights family focused elements e.g. creche, nannies,

JMSA · 27/09/2025 20:16

Loved holidays abroad when mine were little.