To not understand the "holidays with small children is just parenting in a different place" complaints?

[LadyGreyjoy]

We have an 18 month old and have just got back from a week all inclusive in Spain. Obviously we did just parent out daughter in a different place, but I don't see that as a bad thing and certainly not a reason to say there was no point in going. I love being a mum, I waited a long time for my daughter due to infertility and I've been dreaming of family holidays for years. Whilst I still had to do the parenting (which I enjoy doing anyway) I didn't have to cook, wash up or clean, the food was lovely and far better than we cook at home, I did no laundry for a week and instead of working all day and only getting two hours in the evening with my daughter a day I got to play in the pool/on the beach with her all day every day for a week. After she was asleep instead of watching TV and being too tired to do anything we sat on the balcony listening to the music from the bar and drank cocktails and chatted, real quality time with my husband I am usually too tired to enjoy.

On here there are many threads making out a holiday with small children is shit and not worth the effort and that hasn't been my experience at all. The journey there and back was a bit rough and exactly what I expected it to be like tbh. Other than that it's been bliss and I would 10/10 recommend people go and do it. I was kind of dreading it after reading all the threads here but I wish I hadn't worried about it so much now.

God I love Mumsnet 😂

So many threads on how hard babies are and the sleep deprivation is torture but when things go well with a baby it's "just you wait until they're a toddler! You know nothing!" Now I've graduated to having a toddler and see endless threads about how awful toddlers are I'm an inexperienced mum who hasn't got a clue,.despite having a toddler that can run as fast as I can and no sense of self preservation because I didn't hate my holiday and have to wait for her to be 4 to have an opinion now.

Amazing 😂

Just come back from a week in Turkey with a 3 year old and 6 month old. Feel exactly the same as you OP. We loved it and yes it was a lot of the same just in a different place (Brest feeding, up a lot in the night, nappies) but so many fun memories and time spent as a family beach, pool, water parks etc, didn’t want to come home!

I posted something similar a few months ago and people were so mean to be the thread got deleted in the end 😂 I absolutely 100% agree!!! Really do wonder about these people that resent having their children present on holiday. Take no notice OP, enjoy your holiday x

I've always loved our holidays but we have an easy child who can go to bed late and wake up late, no early rising. We've been to all sorts, UK based, self catering, all inclusive. Can't say any haven't been enjoyable. I like sun and beach though

Our much-loved and much-wanted firstborn son, unbeknown to us, had ADHD and autism.

He found changes to routine difficult and his behaviour was incredibly difficult for us at times.

He also had a number of allergic/ atopic conditions.

We did go away on holiday sometimes, but we also live in a lovely area with a lot going on for small children. In many ways, it was easier to stay at home and do day trips. Home had all the toys, all the games, friends nearby, a well equipped kitchen/ washing machine etc, and no hassle in booking a holiday, no hazards of a long journey, medical experts close by etc etc

So I can kind of see the positives in both embarking on a holiday - new expereinces and a lot of potential fun - and also the benefits of choosing sometimes to stay put and just enjoy what you already have,

I always enjoyed holidays but we do self catering in the UK so it's not luxurious and still cooking, planning meals etc apart from 1-2 meals out a week. It's still a break in my eyes as there's no work or life admin and loads of time with the kids, just very simple life!

DDs are 11 and 13 now but when they were younger it was tiring - DD1 has ASD and struggled in new places and needed a lot of stimulation and supervision, so not easy, but definitely worth doing and just a different kind of holiday.

I wish we could afford all inclusive or similar!

Bit smug, OP….! I had a kamikaze ball of energy who climbed everything in sight and was up at 4.30am daily. Holidays weren’t worth the hassle for at least 6 years!

This is how your choosing to spend one of your precious days off with your daughter Op?

No. You just need to have two young children that’s all. But if you want to hear that holidays with one child are great. Yes they are. The are immeasurably easier…Unfortunately I had two very close together.

Sometimes it really is though! My eldest in particular (10) struggles with holidays so he gets even more dramatic than usual and it's hard to deal with.

Last year we went on our first all inclusive overseas and it was a rocky first day but to be fair the rest of the week was really good. They loved being in the pool and the unlimited drinks and the lunch even if dinner was a bit hit and miss. They were a dream on the plane and in the airport, absolutely no trouble at all.

This year we did Butlins which was worse! They were both grumpy, didn't want to do anything and it lasted the whole week. They did nothing but complain the whole way there and back too, made worse because they were both in the back. On the plane they were separated to prevent arguments and silliness. Food was an issue with the youngest because it wasn't "the same" but he did better with the food abroad.

Yes there is no cooking/washing but there is also more supervision because you are in a strange place. Travel can be long and tiring so kids play up, food is different and ultimately if the kids are in a foul mood you aren't having a good time either.

This thread reminds me of the people who post ‘I can’t believe that parents moan about the summer holidays when I, a stay at home parent, loves every last moment’ and can’t understand why working parents who don’t have free childcare might find it stressful.

Of course they know but do really enjoy making others feel bad.

We did camping with our two from babies 'til late teens. Loved it. Because we camped often so we had our very familiar space in interesting places. Revisited campsites often for more familiarity. Routines established. I need that, as does my daughter. Now they are grown up, DH and I have a campervan for the same vibes. My space on wheels.

Get the boot in again! You're clearly desperate for it.

I really hope it's meeting whatevers need is not fulfilled for you.

I am finding your perpetual cats bum face entertaining between singing five little ducks on repeat 😉

We’ve just taken our four year old and 18 month old to Florence. It was great 🤷🏻‍♀️

What is she supposed to do when her dd is napping? Stare in wonder at her cute face? (Which I'm sure she does sometimes).

When did you start camping with you babies?

I love camping and usually go four or five times a year but haven't gone since having my daughter because I'm scared of her freezing to death sleeping outside 🙈 I'd love to take her for an adventure in the tent!

I actually do sometimes 🤣 if I'm lucky enough to get sleepy cuddles!

Lol, I wonder if she is making the cat's bum face like this

😼

or like this in profile

😾

I took a 20month old and a 5 year old on a plan to Tokyo by myself (my partner was already there with work) it was fantastic.
just because some people can enjoy it, doesn’t make it wrong.

Bully for you OP. Your Parent of the Year award is in the post, ive addressed it to Smuggy McSmugface

We have a 1.5 and 3.5 and all our holidays are UK self catering (same as before kids).

I've found holidays have their ups and downs - many times of frustration often around naps/bedtime. But generally lots of good memories are made too, with some lovely days out. We also go on holiday with my parents, mostly for cost reasons but the extra pair of hands is a huge help and means we get an evening out too!

We even went camping this summer - the evenings were a write-off as bedtime took so long but we went paddling/swimming in a stream, trips to the beach, lovely walks.

I also think the memories of holidays with kids are often better than when you are actually living it 😆

Yes I suppose it is… sitting in car waiting to pick up DD from netball

I LOVED my holiday with my little ones
and I LOVE them now

but they were five star all inclusive, beautiful sun day in and day out

so I have and had no problem “understanding” how others may not view their holidays with young children the same.

life must be hard if you struggle to understand this, really hard 💐

Side profile cat's bum facey doesn't work

😿

Do you have children @nomas ?

😂