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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:
scottishmummy · 08/06/2010 23:47

take passport photos on digi camera take to photo shop to print and they will tell you which meet criteria

i snapped tons put and on memory stick

scottishmummy · 08/06/2010 23:50

mophead stop coming up with excuses not to do this.search internet,book online.easy peasy

Original poster
mophead5 · 08/06/2010 23:54

had no idea you could take your own passport photos

OP posts:
MissTFied · 08/06/2010 23:54

You can take your 2 year old to a photo shop like Jessops where they take passport photos. They'll keep snapping until they have one that is usable.

I can see where you are coming from, of course it could be lovely as you describe for the children. I just think to take the childcare pressure off of you, he should go with you. Would he enjoy it once he was there do you think, or would he whinge and ruin it?

scurryfunge · 08/06/2010 23:56

You could always go to a villa near a golf course

Fruitysunshine · 08/06/2010 23:58

We rent villas from www.holidaylettings.co.uk.

We have also used Siblu Holidays and Virgin Holidays.

Start by deciding on a location then find the accommodation. After that everything else should fall into place.

You know you really should do this whether he decided to join you or not. Who says your husband has to come on holiday with you?? It would be nice but if he is being selfish then you and the kids should go away regardless - sounds like you deserve it living with your DH!

seb1 · 09/06/2010 00:01

Passport pictures = local photography shop, villa try villaplus - sorted

marcopront · 09/06/2010 04:44

If you look at the passport guidelines, they don't reccomend taking it yourself. They are very fussy on photos now but go to Jessops they'll know what to do.

mummytime · 09/06/2010 05:03

Go to Jessops or a local photographer's who do passport photos, it may cost a little more than the phot booth (but probably only about as much as two goes in photo booth) and the photos should be checked so they meet the guidelines.
Now if you are going with your family, then discuss with them, and get their help sorting that.
Great that is sorted too!

Have fun!

GeekOfTheWeek · 09/06/2010 10:51

Max speilman good for passport pics.

Just book it.

I take my dcs every year. Imo it is easier than holidaying here.

ginnybag · 09/06/2010 12:16

Ask the brother if you and your DC can join on his Disney trip next time. You may find he's keen for an extra adult or two along.

Or just book somewhere yourself. Seriously.

Take the credit card, walk into Thompson's/Thomas Cook/wherever, tell them what you want, what your budget is and watch them do their thing.

If you let them arrange all the insurance, flights, cars etc, the only thing you'll have to do is passports (ask the Post Office for help there) and packing (Shopping! Yay!)That's what package holidays are for!

Or just drop your DH in it with his golfing mates by casually mentioning that he never offers to go on holiday with you. The won't say anything to him in front of you, but I bet they'll be disapproving.

5Foot5 · 09/06/2010 13:28

We have been using Chez Nous for years for booking property in France. We have always found it reasonably good value as you book direct with the owners usually.

Maybe your DH will find he enjoys it when he gets there!

LIZS · 09/06/2010 13:35

Stop making excuses and whinging ! Is it the taking family abroad that is his issue or that you want to go with other people too ? Surely you could go with a group without him if that is his preference or just book a nice family holiday for you both and the kids. Don't get overly ambitious, find somewhere reasonably close to home with things you can access to entertain the kids and relax.

ErnestTheBavarian · 09/06/2010 14:01

is there not a middle ground?

He says no holiday.

You say big holiday abroad, 6 adults, tons of kids....

Not everyone would like that-

Have you tried suggesting a holiday just you 2 and your kids? Why does the whole family have to come?

Maybe even a holiday with childcare that you can dip in and out of (not suggesting dumping the kids for the entire holiday) then you can do your own thing and he can too, eg golfing.

If he won't even go for this idea, then I agree, book your own, either with friends or family and go without him.

TrillianAstra · 09/06/2010 14:04

I would hate to spend a week in a villa with my parents/siblings or any of the in-laws. In fact I would hate to spend longer than a weekend sharing a house with anyone.

I need my own space.

If that were his objection then it would be a valid one.

minipie · 09/06/2010 14:11

Agree with Ernest.

Maybe start with a quieter holiday abroad, then build up to the big group villa thing if that goes well.

ManicMother7777 · 09/06/2010 15:46

Hotels with kids' clubs, pools and huge all-you-can eat buffets - brilliant. And very good value too. We managed to have a stress-free holiday like this even when exdh and I had agreed to divorce.

Original poster
mophead5 · 11/06/2010 20:19

ok am pretty miffed atm.
took on board advice that taking all the family on holiday to a villa might be a bit too full on for DH....so i talked it over with him.
he actually agreed that it would be nice to go abroad as a family and told me to look into it.
This is where i get miffed...every package hol all inclusive in a family resort is aimed at 2 adults and 2 children...wtf....what if you have 3 kids or 4 or 5?
also, i want a complete price for the hol, not per person...where do i look for best deal?

OP posts:
Lonnie · 11/06/2010 20:32

mophead as a mother of 4 I find that if you go down to your local travel agent they can find stuff for you nice and easy.

and like many others Ive taken all mine abroad (would be only way they met their Danish family for example)

GeekOfTheWeek · 11/06/2010 20:32

Right, where have you looked?

I have 3 dc's and always get each travel agent to price it for me. They usually will try to beat each other.

How old are your dcs?

If they are slightly older, then greece/turkey/cyprus might be cheaper, self catering as there will be no under occupancy fees and you may be able to get one apartment between you.

Sometimes is is cheaper to pay for 4 adults 1 child than 2 adults 3 children.

duckyfuzz · 11/06/2010 20:40

if you want a villa book direct, don't bother with package

mrsincommunicado · 11/06/2010 20:44

have holiday'd with my Dc since 1 years:

Turkey, Egypt, Barbados, St Lucia, Maldives, Sweden, Switzerland, Belguim etc etc etc

It's a great learning experience for kids to get out and see the world.

All about prep and planning and gaining as much info as poss.

Go for it

poppymouse · 11/06/2010 20:47

I got my 18mo DS passport photo done in the booth at supermarket. It was a mare, but it was a mare for 5 minutes in exchange for a fortnight in France with the in-laws. Looking forward to sampling the local vino once the kids are in bed. I did the photos in a rush but surely you know someone can help? The stool is not high enough by the way, even at full wind.

It does sound like you depend on DH a lot - why is it about what he can afford? Not what you can afford as a couple? Do you look at your bank statements? Why do you need him to find the holiday? Just start asking people's advice, everyone you know who has kids will enjoy telling you about great places they have been. And you could so get the passport if you put your mind to it.

I think if you did get a holiday and passports sorted you would find it incredibly liberating, you might be surprised what you can do. I think he'd crap himself if you familiarised yourself with your financial situation, and what he spends on the golfing holiday.

LadySanders · 11/06/2010 20:52

my dh is anxious about holidays with our 3 kids too (whereas before i met him, i was a single mum taking ds1 on trips to south africa when he was 1, hong kong at 3 etc).

have just persuaded him to summer holiday this year at place in spain called La Manga - www.lamangarentals.com - villas/apartments on big complex with restaurants/shops/golf courses/tennis courts/kids club/spa etc etc. its less than 3 hours flight and then only 20 mins drive from airport so HOPEFULLY will be really easy even with a toddler and a baby in tow...

uggbug · 11/06/2010 20:52

Try the Cordial Mogan Valle Apartments in Puerto Mogan Gran Canaria. 3 pools, kids pool, self catering accommodation with breakfast or half board if you want, pool bar etc, spa, lovely walk to the marina and beach, supermarket opposite. Massive 2 bedroom apartments (sleep 6) available on Thomson. Only 4 hour flight. We went with our 1 year old and it was fab. Huge sun terrace on the apartment with 4 sunbeds and full 6 person dining table & chairs inside and out. Amazing.