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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

My holiday recommendation with a small toddler

16 replies

sarahb083 · 26/02/2023 15:31

My husband and I took our toddler on 3 holidays last year when she was between 1 and 2 years old. Here's my recommendation:

Don't do it 😂

Instead, take the week off of work, send your toddler to nursery or grandparents if you can, and spend your holiday money having days out with your partner. Spa days, nice meals, museums, all of the wonderful things you used to do before children.

The packing, travelling, trying to stick to a routine (our toddler doesn't do well out of her sleeping routine), trying to find toddler-friendly food, etc were just not worth it. I came back exhausted and cranky every time.

Lots of people seem to genuinely love holidays with small children, but if you prefer relaxing holidays and want to come back refreshed from time off work, I recommend day trips close to home instead.

OP posts:
Mumof1andacat · 26/02/2023 15:44

That's a shame. We had lovely holidays when my ds was a toddler. Devon and the Isle of Wight were fab.

MrsBunnyEars · 26/02/2023 15:57

We’ve had fabulous toddler holidays - Algarve and Copenhagen stick out.

Original poster
sarahb083 · 26/02/2023 15:58

Yes, as I said, lots of people seem to love it! My suggestion was an alternative for people who prefer to lie around and relax on holiday :)

I read lots of tips on 'how to travel with a toddler' before we went and dutifully followed them, and didn't stop to think that I didn't actually have to go abroad if I didn't want to!

OP posts:
Olivia199 · 26/02/2023 15:59

Read this while taking a short packing break for our first holiday together at Butlins from tomorrow.. though I'm very excited, the packing is a mission.

Original poster
sarahb083 · 26/02/2023 16:02

Sorry @Olivia199 I didn't mean to put you off your holiday! I think a UK holiday would be much more manageable than flying. And Butlins is so family-friendly so there will be lots to do.

OP posts:
Olivia199 · 26/02/2023 20:03

sarahb083 · 26/02/2023 16:02

Sorry @Olivia199 I didn't mean to put you off your holiday! I think a UK holiday would be much more manageable than flying. And Butlins is so family-friendly so there will be lots to do.

Not at all! I'm still very much looking forward to it.. Once all the countless jobs are done of course. It has made me very cautious of a holiday that involves flying though. This has been a mission and its only just over an hour away 😂

Pootleplum · 26/02/2023 20:07

Just as a counter point - do do it. We took our DD on a few holidays including long haul from
7 months - 3 and she was a dream and it all went beautifully. Funnily enough 4-6 was much more tricky as she didn't like being in unfamiliar surrounds / plane journeys etc.

FlounderingFruitcake · 26/02/2023 20:11

Nah do all the travel! Before they need a seat on the plane and to sleep in a bed they’re almost free!

LivingOnAPrayerYes · 26/02/2023 20:27

Totally agree. Out of routine, tired and cranky. Accommodation not baby-proofed so you can never relax. It's not a holiday!

emmathedilemma · 27/02/2023 07:44

I fear you’ll be waiting another 16yrs or so before you get another “lying around” holiday!

Original poster
sarahb083 · 27/02/2023 08:43

@emmathedilemma Thanks to the magic of grandparents, we have had one! It was incredible 😂

OP posts:
Disneyforaweek · 27/02/2023 08:47

Haha this wasn't what I was expecting when I opened the thread! We're looking at where to go this year with our 1 year old and I thought oh great this will be a helpful thread😅

Fwiw we went to Croatia last year when our DC was about 8 months and it was great! But we can't decide where to go this year as we want somewhere that is walkable within 10-15 mins to somewhere with shops, restaurants etc, somewhere that is hot enough that we can go in the pool, but not somewhere that is so busy that there will be booming music all night that means we won't get any sleep!

It seems to be hard to find somewhere that's halfway between being too loud and that has nothing going on at all!

Cuwins · 27/02/2023 08:53

We are taking our 1 year old on her first holiday in a few weeks, we are going to Norfolk and I'm looking forward to it. However we have never been lying around holiday people. Much prefer getting out and about to explore each day. We also hardly ever holiday abroad- a couple of US trips and a long weekend in Brussels is about all we have done.
We are however taking Auntie with us as an extra pair of hands, and taking 2 cars as the packing is going to be a mission!

elodiesmith · 27/02/2023 09:02

We had a bit of a 'round the world' trip with our DC from when she was 4 months old.

We hired nannies.. we flew business class. My opinion: DONT DO IT.

Jeez I the bloody hassle of everything!

-the 4am wake up call for the airport
-loud airport announcements that wake baby up
-screaming in members lounge (I was horrified)
-dreading the 10 hour flight that the bub would lose it (she was a dream but you just don't relax and think 'please sleep for longer')
-the 2 hour taxi ride from the airport and baby getting fed up so you just sit on the edge of your seat getting annoyed at traffic
-the heat, the mozzies, or the snow in the face - freaking wherever you go there's just so much extra care needed with the baby! Can they drink tap water?
-leaving baby with the nanny so you can have romantic dinner with the husband then feeling guilty or worried if baby is okay
-not having all your usual baby stuff that make your life easier: proper pram and not travel ones, finding the right food pouches (even nappies are crap in some countries), the playpen and all the toys (yes we rented some but you can't rent everything you have at home)

We have decided no more! Until the baby is older (4?5?) when they can enjoy watching cartoons or understand that the seat belt needs to go on.

And mind you we had a lovely baby who didn't cry on any of the flights, but you still don't know if he's going to have a meltdown and for how long.

Just no. Maybe ours was toooooo young. At 1-2 you can at least try to understand what they need/if they're upset about something.

Malguenac · 27/02/2023 11:12

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cigarettesNalcohol · 27/02/2023 13:16

sarahb083 · 26/02/2023 15:31

My husband and I took our toddler on 3 holidays last year when she was between 1 and 2 years old. Here's my recommendation:

Don't do it 😂

Instead, take the week off of work, send your toddler to nursery or grandparents if you can, and spend your holiday money having days out with your partner. Spa days, nice meals, museums, all of the wonderful things you used to do before children.

The packing, travelling, trying to stick to a routine (our toddler doesn't do well out of her sleeping routine), trying to find toddler-friendly food, etc were just not worth it. I came back exhausted and cranky every time.

Lots of people seem to genuinely love holidays with small children, but if you prefer relaxing holidays and want to come back refreshed from time off work, I recommend day trips close to home instead.

Couldn't agree more @sarahb083.
I've hated all holidays with kids and toddlers. I end up regretting the whole thing. Feeling exhausted, angry etc etc. Oh, and we also come home sick every time.

But guess what, my next holiday is kid free for the first time and I can't quite believe it's actually going to happen. How amazing is this going to be ?! Sleep when I like. Eat a meal in peace. Read my book. Snooze. Eat what I want when I want. Go site seeing. OMG, excited is an understatement!

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