Why don't people take their kids on holiday?

[Micnerhss]

Just to be clear, I don’t mean people who genuinely can’t afford holidays... I’m talking about people who can but still don’t.

In my close friendship group, I’m literally the only one who takes my kids away. We love seeing the world, exploring new places, different cultures, and just getting out of the UK for a bit. I honestly think holidays are so important, its proper family time away from the constant busyness of life.

But none of my really close friends ever take their kids away, not even for a little UK break, and I just can’t get my head around it.

The excuses are things like “I don’t know how airports work” or “I wouldn’t know where to go”… but there’s a whole world out there!

If you can afford it, why wouldn’t you treat your kids to a holiday?! They are missing out on so much by never leaving the UK!

I’ve honestly never come across it, that’s very sad.
I know lots of families that don’t go on holidays or visit many interesting local places except the local shops. They seem quite affluent but of course it’s impossible to know if money is the reason why.

The first time we went on a package holiday as a family, what really got me was the number of people on the same trip who had actually left their kids behind in the UK.

Admittedly this was term time (DC1 was only 16 months) but we counted at least three other couples on the plane and a further four in the resort who had done this. Ever since, I've figured there are a lot of Brits who don't actually like their own kids.

I don’t know anyone who hasn’t travelled with their kids. My son went to Spain at a few weeks. Australia for a month when my kids were 20 months and three years (only opportunity- we would have I referred to wait until they were a bit older). My duster has a profoundly autistic DD who has health issues and even they have been to Mexico three times, Spain three times, England twice.
But there’s plenty of places to go and explore within the UK that are doable by a train or car. We’ve been to the inner Hebrides, Falmouth, York, Glasgow and Isle of Wight among other places.

I've never taken my children on holiday. I didn't want to listen to them bicker and just have to be a parent in a different place.

Plus just to make parenting in a different place even worse the kids get to stay up even later than usual unless you put them to bed and end up stuck in your hotel room.

So yeah, sounds great.

I live in Wales and am always astonished by the amount of people (adults and children) who've never been to London for example.

We went to Bali recently, it was full of stunning temples, festivals, daily rituals etc

We were lucky enough to be there for Nyepi, the silent day. The country falls silent, no TVbroadcasts, no going outside, no light, airport closes etc then in contrast street parties, huge monster like statues are erected everywhere, we were over the moon to see it all.

We have seen fabulous Indian weddings, spoke to so many different people. My son is quiet shy but he seems to come alive when he is away.
A few weeks ago we were in Thailand, he was playing cards with a couple of Thai guys and a proper cockney bloke in a little bar in the moutains, it was fabulous.
There was fire shows for Halloween, boat trips with snorkeling etc

We have been to Mexico for day of the dead festivals. We fill our holidays with so many activities, seeing wildlife, interacting with so many people.

I think the bog standard tourist holiday doesn't get you a lot of culture (but it is still a lovely time away) but I certainly make it a priority to see the world and experience everything we can.

I don't know anyone like this. The only people I knew who never went on holiday were my grandparents

I think for some people they have the mentality of "a holiday MUST be abroad otherwise it doesn't count" (as the OP of this thread possibly thinks....).
So yes I know children who have been to places all over the world. Several times a year (not just in the summer but every half term).
They might go on day trips to a UK theme park like Chessington or something but would they spend a week in Bournemouth or the Cotswolds or hiking in the Lake District etc?
No. Because to them that's not a "real" holiday.

When my kids were younger, I took them away in the UK... they never seemed that interested. They just about liked a beach or park but to be honest, seemed to have just as much fun in the local park, where they can literally spend hours or we do quite a bit of walking. Last few years I have taken them abroad but the 15 year old has told me she doesn't want to go this Summer.. hates the travel and finds it stressful and not worth it. Shame as I have enjoyed the break. They don't mind a city break but even then their fave bit seems to be bed picnics in a Premier Inn. I love spending time with them and we have a lovely time at home.

I don’t know anyone who hasn’t taken their kids abroad and none of us are fabulously rich, we’re just normal middle earner families who like a bit of sunshine and different food and culture.

Having said that, school holiday prices are ridiculous so I can see why many don’t make it a priority.

I don’t know anyone like that so can’t help. What’s up with the group you’re in?!?

Travelling is great fun with our two, different, but fun. They like a plane, we don't really need to book seats by them anymore, usually we are not too far away but you know it's not essential they know what they are doing and how to behave.

Why have them if you leave them behind?

It's different with them, which is fine. Will miss it when they no longer want to waste their holiday days with us. But will of course adapt again (and we suspect there are some holidays we plan to offer them a spot they won't say no to because it will be on our account).

Maybe we should all try and be more like you OP? You sound absolutely perfect and I can only aspire to your level of greatness.

I would take my kids on holiday abroad 6 months a year from birth if I could, so I am not the best example 😂

I don't understand it either. If only to show them that there's a bigger world than our tiny island, that travelling is no more difficult or scary than commuting in London. Even if I hated it, I would make an effort to show them a tiny bit of the world, and to give them the experience of flying, taking ships or ferries.

I don't think I know any child who hasn't been abroad.

If you can afford it, no I don't understand it at all .I know each to their own, but still.

I don't know anyone that doesnt take their kids on holiday, except for financial reasons. I have never met anyone that doesn't unless they are strapped for cash that year.
Lots of people I know didn't do abroad holidays when their kids were smaller and did caravans or holiday parks in the UK instead. But that's still a holiday.
We have skipped a couple of years and not gone on holiday some years when we had other financial commitments that took priority. But never just not gone on holiday because we don't want to.

OP I completely agree, I do not understand it one bit. We have traveled quite far and wide with our 7 year old. In my opinion, travel is amazing for a child - it broadens their horizons, fuels ambition, makes them more understanding of different cultures and the way others live, increases their confidence and makes them realise there is a bigger world out there than on their back doorstep. And even if it didn’t do any of that it is proper quality time together as a family.

People who live travelling are annoying. It’s be had friends who just cannot understand that we don’t all have to live the same life or do things the same way.

The idea of taking small children is off putting. Even older kids are limiting

ETA: Some people aren’t even interested in going abroad every year (gasp)

My oldest is 8 and never left the country. I've not flown for over 10 years due to environmental concerns. We do however go on two small UK holidays a year and are planning on doing day trips to France, Belgium and the Netherlands next year.

The thought of a holiday abroad with three young kids fills me with dread and the expense is eye watering for a family of five

Outwardly we have good jobs and could seemingly afford it, but DH has a chronic health condition that makes insurance expensive and travel logistically more difficult, plus with teenagers we only go away in school holidays which adds to cost. Also due to cost of living, kids hobbies and mortgage our annual holiday budget is 2k for the four of us. We do holiday but in UK.

Not everyone is as rich as you think they are.

I can't understand it, because most people do it, so it's not a big deal 😂

Yes, you still have to parent and it's never going to be an "adult only" holiday, so? I wouldn't question you, or even mention it to you, because I don't care that much, but I do find it weird.

It's entirely up to you, but you don't need 2 adults, Nothing stops you from taking the kids alone for a long weekend or something.

You don't have to do anything, but when you want, there are easy solutions. it's not just about money - it's cheaper with only one parent 😂

I think there may be a lot of truth in this. I definitely have the "explorer" gene, and this is reflected in my wider family.

Could just be shared values, I suppose -if your parents/grandparents have travelled, then you'll naturally see the world as a place to explore. But I can quite imagine that there could be a genetic factor.

Proving my point here…..

My husband was healthy up till 3 years ago, and if I did that he would get utterly depressed at home without us. I know him better than anyone and couldn't do it on him. He loved travel more than me, and I know he would dwell on what his body can't do.

We are saving for a holiday abroad in 2027, it's just a one year in five event.