First trip abroad with DC

[Fashiontatts]

Hi all,

Booked our first family holiday abroad - v excited! DH and I are well travelled (pre kids) - but DD was born just prior to lockdown and we haven't been away since June 2019. We have 2 DC, DD will be almost 3 and DS will be 9 months when we go.

Any tips and advice to make the packing/airport/journey/experience run smoother with 2 little ones in tow would be appreciated! :)

This sounds very negative but honestly just have very low expectations of everything! We went on holiday when DS was 18 months and it was very far removed from what I had imagined it would be!

@Ginger1982 that's a fair point 🤣 to be honest, it's just a week of winter sun for us all so no set agenda or anything like that... More just for DD to enjoy the pool/beach etc and a break from the norm (and winter weather) for us! 🙂 I do appreciate it'll be a vastly different holiday experience for us this time round tho... get us set for the next few years of the same 🤣

By contrast, we took our now 5 year old this year and it was much better! I'm sure you'll be fine. Definitely 'cross pack' so clothes for everyone split over all suitcases, get stuff downloaded on a tablet for 3 year old, take more sunscreen than you think you'll need and enjoy. We also insisted on a period of quiet time every afternoon which helped curb any over tiredness.

Yeah, manage expectations. It can be harder work than being home as you have the usual shit plus trying to work stuff out as you go along plus possible sleep disruption in a new place, whole new load of hazards to watch out for etc. Sounds negative, sorry! I always aim for one achievable lovely thing and focus on that.

Airport is not that big a deal, it's an interesting environment for them. Take a supply of snacks and a few toys to have up your sleeve. I used to raid the charity shop 10p bin and bring little dinosaurs, puzzles etc.

It might help your 2yo to read a few books about holidays and aeroplanes if you have any, it just talk through how you have to give your bag over, show your ticket etc. Have fun playing airports!

Have a rough plan of what to do when there, if you'll be doing any outings. The pool and beach sound fun, I had a holiday where the pool was freezing and the beach had super sharp sand that DC hated! Have a few alternative ideas just in case. Easier to work out from home, probably!

Check what you're allowed to take on the plane, they often let you take two items of baby kit free in the hold, eg car seat and pram.

@Ginger1982 that's encouraging to hear at least! Yeah, I imagine an afternoon Siesta will benefit us all greatly!

Thanks @Dogtooth that's all really helpful... I wouldn't have thought about the charity shop for new toys for the plane etc so that's a great shout... as is snacks!

DD loves to role play anything at the moment so I imagine she'll love the new airport game.

I don't think we're planning on trips, but I'll have a look incase something jumps out at me! Like you said, better to organise at this end. We've chosen a hotel that has lots of other kids activities (soft play, pedal go karts, bouncy castle, games room, playpark etc) and checked what's still open as it's out of peak season when we go - so I know there's at least some other things to do other than pool... especially if there's any bad weather!

Thanks for all the advice... much appreciated!