Holidaying solo with 3 kids

[G33g]

I really want to go on holiday this year, I haven’t been on a family holiday for about 5 years.I have a 12 yo DS from a previous relationship and I’ve had 2 more children with my DP, and though I know he loves them to bits, deep down I don’t really feel like he enjoys spending extended periods of time with them (he will deny this). He is a miserable git about spending money even though we are not struggling. In fact he’s pretty miserable full stop. He’s agreed to book a holiday but has made it very clear it’s not what he wants to do and he’s only doing it for me. He’s not a fan of the sunshine and he’ll hate that he can’t just go to the pub whenever he wants. So basically although I really want to go on holiday, I’m dreading going with him as he’ll be so grumpy and obviously not enjoying himself.
Has anyone ever taken 3 kids abroad on their own before? DS is 12, DD will be almost 5 and DS is 2. I don’t know how I would cope at the airport and on the plane. Also I’ve only ever done villa holidays in the past so I’ve no idea what hotel to go for. So stuck. Desperately want to go on a sunny holiday

I find managing luggage the most challenging, try and take just 2 cases. your 12 year old can certainly help, get them to push the little one in the buggy and you manage the 5 year old.
I would go for a package AI, Tui or jet 2. you'll get transport from the airport with a package. Lots of hotels have kids clubs, you may get a break for a couple of hours .
Where and when do you want to go and what's your budget?

Ummmm you know this isn’t about what holiday you go on. It’s if you want to stay with this misery guts for the rest of your life.

Spoiler: finding myself taking the kid on solo holidays was one of the signs I should get divorced.

@Doodar spain or Portugal as I don’t want a long flight, ideally about £4000 but might have to push that. It’ll have to be summer holidays!

@LividHouse absolutley, but the holiday is what I need advice for

Go for it OP, your 12 year old can help a good amount.
I really liked tabaiba princess in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria. Great kids club, great kids pool with slides the eldest can enjoy.
Also liked Iberostar Club Cala Barca in Majorca.

As long as you research it thoroughly and check there's clubs and stuff for the kids that should be fine . We used to do the euro camping thing in the mobile homes when ours were that age . They are really lovely now with loads for kids to do like at Dol de Bretagne . Or Turkey is still quite reasonable and they have complexes with loads of activities ? Alot of holidays seem to have really gone up this year .

This looks nice https://www.jet2holidays.com/beach/portugal/algarve/albufeira/ap-adriana-beach-resort?duration=7&airport=99&date=29-07-2023&occupancy=r1c12_2_5&board=5&oflight=950946&iflight=950949&rooms=29228&gtmsearchtype=Smart%20Search&smartsearchid=f924a0bd-f142-4c40-8385-35a887ccf004

https://www.jet2holidays.com/beach/balearics/majorca/puerto-pollensa/portblue-club-pollentia-resort-and-spa?duration=7&airport=99&date=29-07-2023&occupancy=r1c12_2_5&board=5&oflight=955686&iflight=955689&rooms=31878&gtmsearchtype=Smart%20Search&smartsearchid=1d7cb093-ca9f-43c8-8a88-2a34e2eba5a4

@whoruntheworldgirls thanks I’ll have a look at the one in Majorca. 12 yo can definitely help out with the pram or luggage yes.
@Soozikinzii I think I would wait till the kids are a bit older for turkey, my 2 yo is quite difficult and I imagine he’ll be a nightmare on the plane so want to keep it as short as possible
Did you have to make your own way to the euro camp from the airport?

@Doodar thanks! They both look beautiful. A strong argument for not taking DP is that we can afford somewhere like that!

I don't think any of this is fair on your eldest Son and you need to think of them. Go on holiday with your kids.

I'm a single parent and I've done a 9 hour flight with DS sole, carried 2 large cases and a hand bag too. People are incredibly kind and they offer to help you. Give them a tip too and you recieve excellent service. We travel yearly.

Short flight is a good start, all inclusive, waterpark, kids club, onsite Park or play area. Look at Splashworlds on TUI. Make sure your hotel is not too far from the airport you don't want a long transfer from the airport.... so tiring with little ones.

I definitely would. Your 12 year old will be a big help at the airport. Better than having a miserable bastard with you.

Don't do it yet, they're too young to be fun. You'll be lugging everything around and watching kids who can't swim constantly. Give it a few years until they're maybe 5+ and maybe take the eldest away solo in the meantime.

Do you have another adult family member who might be up for going on holiday with you, OP?

It's so doable if you are 12 year old is a good help. I agree - go to the Balearics as short flights, all inclusive - if you can find one with kids club all the better as that might allow your 12 year old to make some friends and maybe allow you to have just one child to deal with if 5 year old will go.

All inclusive means that there's food and snacks generally available so you can feed the kids at different times if needs be. I'd recommend avoiding late flights so you are not dealing with three tired children.

I think DH needs to go on a family holiday for the sake of the children. It's a nice experience for children too not just for you. Sometimes we just do things we don't like for the other members of our family. I'd agree with him to have one family holiday a year. That really isn't too much to ask. Make it the UK if you must where he can have a drink in a pub (although last I checked there were bars in other countries too). If you have additional funds go on an all inclusive kids club holiday with just you and the kids in addition to the family holiday but no way would I let him abdicate responsibility for providing your kids with childhood holidays.