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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

Why do I never learn?!! (holidays with kids)

51 replies

Februaryschild2023 · 02/09/2023 09:37

Is there some sort of pathology that makes a person never learn from their mistakes re taking kids on holiday? Is it like childbirth, where you sort of forgot the trauma and think it's a great idea to do it again?

Anyone else on holiday please commiserate with me if you're having a similarly trying time (I know we're lucky to get away at all but I just wish I'd learn!) We're in a nice sunny country. Both parents have some sort of ear and throat bug picked up on the plane. All in the same room as DC4 and our 6 month old who will only cosleep and wakes 2 hourly through the night. No one's slept much. 4yo is manic with tiredness and ice-cream and says it's too hot so won't leave hotel room. All counting down days til home!

I only have myself to blame. I used to ADORE holidays and travel. Why do I keep trying to make it work with young kids?! Is anyone else similarly stupid? Or could anyone with older kids tell me when a holiday becomes less like 10x the work of home?

OP posts:
fedupallthisrubbish · 02/09/2023 10:26

Maybe a villa next time? Slightly easier with young children as you will get more space. Cyprus is great for toddlers with a calm sea and fab villas

also have you had your ears checked by a dr? As it would be painful to fly with an ear infection

hope today is a better day

Yes it gets easier I’m with my 4 (youngest 8 oldest 12) all inclusive they help themselves with food / drinks and play in the pool / slides all day

lavenderlou · 02/09/2023 10:36

Yes, we always got a self-catering house with a garden. Went to France and packed the car with kids stuff. Stay near a beach and most kids are happy enough with a bucket and spade. I never mind cooking and found it easier with little kids (and still with not-so-little fussy DD) but I know some people would rather not do that on holiday.

Or a campsite in France/Spain? Eurocamp style? They have lots going on for little kids and their own accommodation (although often smaller than a house and not cheap).

ZenNudist · 02/09/2023 10:53

I've been surprised how unrelaxing my holidays have been this year. Booked ones with lots of activities for the dc and its been no fun for me!!

Also take my aging parents away each year and my dad always acts up and spoils the holiday. Yet I keep trying.

Need to plan next year's holidays now!!

cocksstrideintheevening · 02/09/2023 10:55

We always did campsites in France when Dts were younger. Separate bedrooms. Terrace for when the kids are in bed. Load up the car with the multitude of shit they need and drive.

But essentially same shit, different location.

Batatahara · 02/09/2023 10:57

I think good sleep is just so important for how you feel. I will not go on any holiday that involves us all being in one room.

Woman2023 · 02/09/2023 11:24

A holiday with a 6 month old is optimistic! I would think seaside in the U.K. with 2 bedrooms would be a lot easier. Even in bad weather you can get waterproofs on and go for a refreshing walk!

Gymmum82 · 02/09/2023 11:59

We would never go all in one room even now the kids are older. When they were younger we got apartments with seperate rooms. 6 month old that wakes all night in the same room as everyone else is a recipe for disaster

Original poster
Februaryschild2023 · 02/09/2023 14:21

Haha Christ, I know, the six month old nocturnal baby was a terrible idea. I deserve everything I get!

OP posts:
Pootle40 · 02/09/2023 16:57

Yes definitely gets a lot easier. I'd say from school age onwards it gets easier and easier and particularly when they can swim. 8 & 12 is very different to the toddler days!

VivaLaSpag · 02/09/2023 17:11

Trying to do anything with small children is for the most part just a bit shit 😂
Mine are 8 and 6-for the first time last year we had something that could be described as an enjoyable holiday and less of a fucking endurance test. It's taken us a lot of time to manage expectations about what we can now get out of a holiday, and our trips look veeery different to pre kids!

Similar to what others have said we've had a big success with Eurocamp/Yelloh Village type holidays as it's meant having separate rooms. The downside is self catering though unless you spend on food every day.

Unless you go AI then I would recommend searching for an aparthotel where you can get a bit more space but some hotel perks as well.

Mojoj · 02/09/2023 17:14

Hang in there. And next time, go self catering. Everyone in one hotel room is a recipe for disaster.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 02/09/2023 22:55

We don’t do the same sort of holidays every year so it’s a bit hard to tell.

This year I’ve had a proper beach and sunshine holiday with my two, the youngest being nine, and it was really relaxing and wonderful. So it definitely does get better! Nine yo might be a bit older than you were hoping for though.

A lot of our holidays are activity type holidays, or last year we did some city breaks, so not really a relaxation holiday anyway - so hard to tell!

caban · 02/09/2023 23:03

Go to Haven or Butlins next year. Your kids will enjoy ice cream on a British beach and a new playground/swimming pool just as much if not more than going abroad.

Save the nice, sunny, hotel holidays abroad until your youngest is about 6.

Original poster
Februaryschild2023 · 03/09/2023 19:25

Good to know I'm not the only one in this miserable boat! Just need to remember this thread in January when I'm about to book another doomed trip

OP posts:
Prettypaisleyslippers · 03/09/2023 19:28

A good start would be don’t let your 4 year old dictate plans or overeat ice cream? Go out of the room

VivaLaSpag · 03/09/2023 19:49

Prettypaisleyslippers · 03/09/2023 19:28

A good start would be don’t let your 4 year old dictate plans or overeat ice cream? Go out of the room

Biscuit
Oattree · 03/09/2023 19:52

Have been there; but didn’t put me off travelling; kids are teens now snd great travellers; we normally do self catering these days where we have more space and independence.

Holidays are never fun if someone get sick though and your 6 months old is still do young.

I remember a trip to Spain where 9 months old wouldn’t settle at night but at least we have an apartment do DH and I took in turne. I also remember long and short haul flights we lots of crying on the plane due yo air pressure and lack of sleep.

We did overseas trips this summer and all was very good easy; kids know the drill now. DH and I are both from overseas so have to travel to see family and friends

ErikaReadsTheDailyMail · 03/09/2023 19:58

Someone said to me that a holiday with under 5's is just moving the chaos to a sunnier location.
Just finished a week in the U.K with my nearly-3 and nearly-6 year old- it was the nicest holiday so far with them and I just threw them on the beach every single day, put them to bed early and drank 🤷‍♀️
I hope it gets easier...

ErikaReadsTheDailyMail · 03/09/2023 19:59

Prettypaisleyslippers · 03/09/2023 19:28

A good start would be don’t let your 4 year old dictate plans or overeat ice cream? Go out of the room

Fair play OP, you should have asked this person along to do it for you.

YukoandHiro · 03/09/2023 20:02

I posted a similar thread about three weeks ago after our utterly dreadful trip - and we only went as far as Norfolk.
The advice was drop the hols and do day trips instead. But I also used to love and prioritise travel/holidays, and it's hard to switch that part off entirely.
I do think it's quite ridiculous the amount we've spent on awful experiences since having kids though.

Noicant · 03/09/2023 20:16

I refused to go on holiday until Dd started to sleep through (2.5) it was still awful. We’ve just adjusted our expectations and always get an apartment now. It’s not much fun for us (lots for her) anyway but it would be even worse if we couldn’t sit on the sofa staring at the wall while clutching a glass of wine at the end of the day.

Turquoisemonkies · 03/09/2023 20:28

Feel your pain!
I'm looking into Eurocamp next year so she makes friends and maybe we’ll get a breather!

JustMarriedBecca · 03/09/2023 20:29

Sounds like us first few holidays with the DC. We basically gave up trying to take the type of holidays we took pre-kids until they were 6 and 8 and now it's an absolute JOY.

They stay awake late, wake up early. Eat exciting foods and appreciate the trip. Carry their own luggage.

Until then, I'd Eurocamp or UK.

Fluffyhoglets · 03/09/2023 20:36

When I discovered everyone was happier at centreparcs my life got alot easier for a few holidays!
Also take as many pictures as possible if the cute bits to look back on with forgetful nostalgia in 14 - 18 years time as they head off to uni!
But yeah it's bloody hard work with young kids wherever you are!

Gettinagoldtoof · 03/09/2023 20:40

I didn’t bother until mine were 7+, just camping, as it was shit anyway I may as well not spend much on it. Just got back from hol with kids 9 and 12 it was heaven, easy and fun.