holiday booked with friends..... worried

[redhan]

holiday booked for later this year- looking forward to it, we are great friends, all get on so well, but worried it may go pear shaped- ideas to keep everyone happy x

Decide money stuff in advance eg having a kitty for food

Is it self catering ? If so who is going to cook when & what?

Different ages of children? Are nap times/ bed times going to be respected ?

Need more info!

Remember that you don't need to go everywhere together. Sort out any problems as and when, don't let them fester. Lay down some ground rules. Sort out the finances first, do you share the food/wine cost? Is it OK to borrow clothes? Any dietry requirements?

What are you worried about?

Just make sure you do your own thing sometimes. We often go our seperate ways by day and enjoy evenings together. Helps keep annoyances at bay. We often go away with people and always enjoy it this way.

Borrow clothes?!? Breakfast cereal yes, clothes no... Who borrows clothes?!

Lots of people Grumby, usually the ones which don't return them

We have done a few holidays with friends. The trick is as others have said is time apart if you spend every minute together each others little habits will drive you bonkers. Even if it's just a walk or a quick early evening drink make sure you have some time apart.
Kitty's can be great but can also cause traumas have to admit I thought I was easy going but a trip round the supermarket with friends who were trying to keeping costs down on some things which I could swallow (even if i would of prefered other choices) but suddenly felt the rage when friend without talking about it put some redicuously expensive coffee in trolley (I don't drink it and as we were staying in my family holiday home dh had normal coffee already so it was just for friend) I know it was stupid but it wound me up all day I should of either just said something at the time or let it go yes it was the best part of a tenner on IMO unnecessary coffee but in the scheme of things it was not a big deal. Time apart also helps you get over these little annoyance too as gives you time to laugh about them with your dh before you fester on them!

I think you can only make it work if you promise to tell the other party when you need space and vice versa! If in different apt/rooms not so bad but if self catering villa you need to be firm in saying when u want alone time.

Time apart defo.
We went to different places every 3rd day or so.

Also choose somewhere to stay that has more than one living room.
Its just that if you get up at different times, its a mare keeping kids quiet and being considerate of the other family if its small.

We took it in turns to buy the shopping, which worked well, we kinda agreed the menu each day as friends kids were fussy eaters so it was easier to discuss and buy around their likes/dislikes.

We bit our tongues ALLOT, let stuff go that wasn't important.

We go away with the same family every year and im not gonna lie, even though we are really good friends, been really good friends for 20 years, it can at times..be a challenge.

Great great fun though!

We have at least one holiday a year with friends, I prefer it as you take the playmates with you rather than relying on finding some there.

We always have a girls day out - where Dads look after the kids, and vice versa.

With the family we go away with regularly it has only ever been a joy, the kids love it and get upset if we are going anywhere without our friends.

Though we went away with other friends once, whose children woke at 6am every morning and that was less fun.

thanks for your messages,. so many of you have managed so therefor no reason why i holiday wont work, x we are in seperate apartments, so own space should be fine, think we will agree to be seperate daytimes every two days maybe- evening together ?. not every eve tho-

said friend and her hubby have had a rough time the last few months- everytime we have been together as a group (with them us and others)- its ended in them having words-him stropping off like a teenager! WTF i guess thats my cause for concern- i dont want to be left playing referee iykwim and providing childcare for their unruly 7 yr old who cannot listen!

dont get me wrong- its not all bad but im finding the stress unbareable from time to time- she has become very needy, jealous, possesive, down in the dumps( we have talked about it and she has seen her gp- been prescribed anti depressants so hoping she feels much better soon) feel like im under the pressure, this holiday has been booked since sept- so wasnt a rash decision to book- we are great friends, and have been for a long time i dont want this holiday to ruin it!

sorry x moany old post, thanks for your replies, really have helped