Crèche or babysitter on holidays to give us a break?

[AnnieDelores]

We are heading to a family cottage in Devon for a week in august with our one year old. Only trouble is, I'm stressed already at the thought of another holiday which doesn't feel like a holiday. My little boy is high maintenance and needs constant entertainment and doesn't seem to be happy just watching people or being in his buggy. He wants to be on the move constantly or have one on one play. They only place he does seem happy to entertain himself so that I get a break is at soft play centres or a crèche.

Does anyone have any ideas as to how we can get through the week without feeling exhausted? Do local nurseries take children on a casual basis fr a few hours? Or do you think we should investigate a day time babysitter so we can at least get out for a lunch or two?

I love my little man more than I can say but I'm in danger of getting very stressed and constantly look at other babies who play contentedly in the sand or sit in high chairs and buggies without screaming!

Probably not helpful for this year but for future holidays you could look into hotels that offer childcare.

op, get real

other peoples babies/kids drive them mad as well

your not alone, thats how it is with kids

your ds sounds perfectly normal

go on holiday, try to relax and dont expect much

you'll be exhausted either way

I'm assuming you have a partner as you said 'we' so remember that childcare should be shared between you. Even if it means one of you takes your ds off for a few hours and the other does grown up stuff alone, then vice versa.

We just went to Devon for a week with our 8 mo twins. There are loads of things to do - beach, picnic, steam train rides, paignton zoo, ferry trips, cycling, petting farms - why not spend the time doing some family friendly activities rather than trying to get alone time?

Those are all good ideas ceeveebee. Beach is no good due to "face planting" in the sand but i like the others. I think I just miss quality time with my other half on our own but that's a separate issue. What I need to do s ask DP to organise some days out rather than leave it all to me so that we are scrabbling around at the last minute with him looking at me like a Labrador puppy saying "what would you like to do today?"

Does he settle well in the evenings? We took lots of naice food and wine and had some lovely evenings in once they'd gone to bed?
What is face planting? Sounds fun! Will he not play with a bucket and spade? Or just bury him

Face planting is when he tries to hug the sand or has a boredom tantrum and lies down face down. Either can happen suddenly without warning. Sand gets in his eyes and he rubs them to the point we have to avoid the beach.

But yes, he does settle well at night, except when he has a cold, like now. Probably explains my mood!

I would say day time baby sitter might be an option - there are websites such as sitter.co.uk or the owner of your cottage might know someone
this is why we often go on holiday with my parents - otherwise it doesn't feel like a holiday
also maybe you could have an afternoon off - maybe book a spa or something - and your DH could do something he enjoys another afternoon
I would have a possible list of days out planned in advance maybe get a guide book - there maybe a rough guide for devon?

If he settles well at night, can you plan some nice evenings in with your partner at the cottage. In may not have figured in your pre-children social life, but a nice meal and a DVD can be surprisingly restoring.

He sounds pretty normal TBH...

Tire him out during the day so you can enjoy a DVD and bottle of wine together after he has gone to sleep.