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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU in wanting to holiday abroard with kids

56 replies

mophead5 · 08/06/2010 22:52

ever since kids were born, 8 years ago, the only place hubby has taken us on holiday is east coast ...FOR A DAY TRIP.
Sorry, but i want more...I want to rent a very large villa in spain or france with a pool, go with whole family ( that would be 6 adults and 8 kids) and share all cooking, cleaning etc, plus take turns babysitting so we all get a break.
Hubby says this will turn into a complete f*ing nightmatre. I think he is being unreasonable and there must be loads of people who have taken their kids abroard.
Bah Humbug...who is right.
Please say me then give me ideas on which hols to go for.

OP posts:
scurryfunge · 08/06/2010 22:57

Although holidays can be stressful so long as you are organised there is no reason why you can't enjoy them....otherwise why would anyone go?

If it your first for a while, why not go for the easy option of self catering appartments or hotel? There are appartment holidays where you can block book several appartments, so although you holiday together as a family, you each have your own accommodation.

belledechocolatefluffybunny · 08/06/2010 22:59

Leave him here and go.

Hulababy · 08/06/2010 23:01

I have an 8y and have holidayed abroad with her since she was 16m old. Never been even the slightest bit of a problem.

However when she was 3m old we decided to holiday in the UK as thought it would be easier - it rained dailt and TBH it was just not easy at all. I vowed to travel abroad ever since.

Just got back from Las Vegas with 8y DD and we all had an amazing time. Not a glitch in the slightest.

Fo most of our holidays we book self catering villas and houses and love the flexibility.

We often holiday wth friends with chilren or grandoparents too.

chipmonkey · 08/06/2010 23:01

We have 4 dc's and have been taking them abroad since ds1 was 16 months. Will admit first holiday with ds1 was a bit of a nightmare as we didn't bring enough toys so he was bored and we was unwell on the flight over. However we did learn our lesson and have had a fab time ever since. And one of the best times we had was when we went away with dsis and her dp and dd as each couple went out on alternate days, then for the last night we hired a babysitter and went out for a meal together. Ds1 had a ball playing with his cousin.

Tbh, if your dc's are about 8, I can't see why your dh has a problem? Babies can be a bit awkward but older kids are fine and usually have a ball!

chipmonkey · 08/06/2010 23:03

The best holiday the kids ever had was Centerparcs in France btw. Loads of activities, great pool and enough places to visit outside the comples for me and dh to be happy.

scanty · 08/06/2010 23:03

sounds ideal. We took our kids abroad since they were a few months old but it's actually quite easy then especially if breastfeeding and they sleep often.

How old are your DC? Previous idea of leaving him at home sounds good especially if you have other company/family to go with - kids would love it!

Original poster
mophead5 · 08/06/2010 23:04

ha ha...love that so ironic because every sodding year he buggers off on a golfing hol with his mates while i end up in a crappy caravan hol with the kids (£9.50 sun hols)
Dont get me wrong...the kids love it but I WANT MORE!
makes it worse because my brother has taken his kids to disneyland 4 times now....we get blackpool day trip...just not good enough.
Like I said, i want a villa for all of us...any ideas?

OP posts:
Original poster
mophead5 · 08/06/2010 23:09

my kids are 8, 3 and 2.
Just have this image of us all, me hubby, brothers ,mum, all our kids in a huge shared villa splashing around in our own pool, taking turns with the cooking, getting pissed whilst kids asleep, going to beach as a whole gang.
BTW kids ages would range from 2 to 14

OP posts:
Fruitysunshine · 08/06/2010 23:10

OH! I can so recommend your idea!

Last year we went with another family for the first time on holiday. We decided to rent a house on the south coast to start just to see how we all go on, it was ace.

This year we have rented a private villa in France with swimming pool for a week. We are going via Eurostar return, driving to the villa and driving home. The cost involved was £1600 for the villa rental (6bed, underground playroom with loads of stuff to do on rainy days, swimming pool, bbq, blah blah) and £300 for two cars return Eurostar. The total cost for each family is £950. Each family has 4 children that are coming and when there we split the shopping costs on everything for inside the house.

The kids loved it last year, we kept a good schedule including mealtimes and bedtimes thus ensuring we could babysit for each other in the evenings after the kids had gone to bed.

It was ace and we are really looking forward to doing it again this year in France!

scurryfunge · 08/06/2010 23:12

We have done that with a villa holiday and the image you describe is exactly what we do.....everyone pleases themselves though as well....somedays people disappear and do their own thing and other we all come together for a meal...it's lovely.

EccentricaGallumbits · 08/06/2010 23:13

if you can afford it, just arrange it and let him decide if he wants to go or not when you book it.

if you can't afford it then a daytrip will have to suffice.

Fruitysunshine · 08/06/2010 23:13

scurryfunge - yes, we have "family time" when each family just does their own thing. It is important to retain that even on holiday or it may start to feel a tad stressful.

dexifehatz · 08/06/2010 23:17

sorry have we suddenly been transported back to the 50's?!!!! Book a fxxxxxing holiday yourself.Ask him ONCE if he wants to go if he doesn't then go anyway and shove his golfclubs where the sun don't shine!! Go to Disney with your brother maybe?

Original poster
mophead5 · 08/06/2010 23:19

he can afford it...just thinks its a waste of money.

OP posts:
Sanesometimes1 · 08/06/2010 23:20

look at vaconsolei holidays - really cheap it;s caravans but within lovely complexes - we've been to France loads of times now - usually with another 2 families - all seperate accomodation but close to each other to get together for evening bbq's and a few glasses of wine. x

EccentricaGallumbits · 08/06/2010 23:21

He can afford it?????

scurryfunge · 08/06/2010 23:21

What are his concerns? What does he gain from a golfing holiday?

MissTFied · 08/06/2010 23:25

Sorry, I agree with your DH.

YANBU in wanting to take the children abroad, but YABU if you expect to have one single hour of relaxation!

MissTFied · 08/06/2010 23:32

Having now read the whole post I see that your dh is quite unfair. I thought it would be a stress thing for him, you know, flying with kids, driving abroad, sharing with extended family etc, but it appears to be a tight-fisted thing!

You and your children definitely deserve a proper holiday with their father. He should be made to go! It irks me that some men get all this free time!

Fruitysunshine · 08/06/2010 23:33

You seriously agree that they as a family should not holiday together and let the children experience travelling abroad because they won't get one single hour of relaxation??

Original poster
mophead5 · 08/06/2010 23:34

so if my idea is so crap, what do you suggest, we continue having sep hols?
by the way, yes HE can afford it! If he can afford to fuck off with his mates for a week golfing, he can afford to take his wife and kids away either as well as his 'buddy' hol or instead of IMO.
also. i do NOT epect to spend all day lazing by the pool relaxing...I want a proper family hol...is that too much to ask?

OP posts:
scurryfunge · 08/06/2010 23:36

You deserve a holiday as much as he does....your idea is not crap.

scottishmummy · 08/06/2010 23:43

we have travelled extensively from few weeks old.europe and long haul

why dont you and children go.he stay home if not keen

Original poster
mophead5 · 08/06/2010 23:45

So yes in theory i could just go and sort out the passports, book the holiday, and TELL him we are going...but real problem is
dont know how to keep a 2 year old still in passport photo booth
have no idea where to look for this magical villa
dont know how to convince hubby that this is a good idea...not so much for us but for our kids...i want them to run on white sand and into blue sea in warm sunshine, something they have never experienced...instead of a dirty beach with grey sea and rain over here.

OP posts:
scurryfunge · 08/06/2010 23:47

have used these before