Going abroad with an 18month old - mistake?!?

[New2TheMNet]

Hi,
My husband and I are planning on going to Crete in the summer for 3 weeks as my parents have an apartment out there. We have been there many times and know the area well.
The apartment has air-con and a pool.
We took our DD away with us last summer when she was about 4months old. This time she will be 18months.

What's it like going on holiday with an 18month old?
Are we silly going away for too long?
Is it going to a nightmare trip with keeping her out of the sun and running around after a toddler?

Any tips or honest advice is much appreciated.

Thank you!! X

Just go and enjoy it - wouldn't be a mistake at all.
We regularly went abroad from when DD was born, she's a great traveller and enjoys learning about other countries and cultures now.

No you'll love it. Go and enjoy yourselves

It’s fine! Get a UV proof suit and lots of hats (you’ll lose some). Suncream at every opportunity.

Find where the local park/ soft play / whatever kids activity is, and make use of it - don’t feel like you have to do ‘holiday’ things all the time.

Use local food, nappies, wipes, whatever rather than stressing about bringing tonnes with you.

We’ve done similar (not Crete) at various ages and it was ace.

Definitely go but absolutely 100% make sure the pool is safe and inaccessible

I’d be doing it with friends and their children if possible as IME it makes it much much easier. But it’s fine to do it as you all are

Dd1 hated it and it was a disaster. Projectile vomited all over the plane, wouldn’t go in the pool, hated the heat but still wanted to run around in it, wouldn’t eat the food etc. came back exhausted. Vowed not to take her on holiday ever again 🤣 Dd2 was fine but we went in May and only to Majorca for the short flight. Think it depends on the kid really. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best!

When ds was 18mo we did exactly the same holiday and it was our best one ever.

We went out every morning, da crashed out for a 3 hour nap in the afternoons and we swam and sunbathed. It was bliss!

Then we all got ready and went out for dinner and a wander round and he fell asleep in the pushchair.

Our villa had its own pool so we were able to lock the the front door, leave the patio door open and take the baby monitor outside.

The pool had a lockable gate too so we didn't ever worry about accidents.

It's not so relaxing now they are 13 and 10 - it's mum mum mum play with me, swim with me, feed me, take me somewhere! Gah!

I took dd to Corfu at the same age. The only issue was that I expected her to sleep on a late flight! We stuck to her normal routine with a nap/siesta after lunch. The 2 hour time difference worked in our favour as our 8pm is 10pm in Greece. Unlike the UK, babies and toddlers are actually allowed to make noise in restaurants/tavernas and we were made very welcome.

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts and experiences. This has helped us make our minds up. I think we are going to go for it.
We will be there in July and August which I know will be super hot but at least we will have a pool and air-con. Dreading to think how we will get on when we're back in the UK with the heatwaves and no air con x

I took DS to Thailand at 18m. The flight wasn’t fun but had a fantastic time there. He loved toddling about, swimming and would have a big nap in the afternoon.

Is the apartment toddler proof? Suitable bed situation for the toddler?

I took a folding buggy so I could take my ds for a short walk a midday. he’d then nap for a while and I’d get an hour or two to read a book in peace. Just make sure you take something to distract them on the plane.

Definitely take pool toys, or get them there, and a float vest/ arm bands, UV suit etc. Some of our best holidays were at villas with pools.