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

[Februaryschild2023]

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?

We didn't do a hotel/AI holiday until DD was 7 and could cope with longer evenings and was happy to go to kids clubs.

We had great holidays with s/c in either Germany or Netherlands or outside term time in Mallorca (beginning of June mainly).

Lots of space, food as we wanted and DH and I had quite evenings on the terrace when DD was in bed.

Forget any idea of a Insta-suitable holiday, they are still tiring, messy and chaotic but I loved every one of them, even the week with rain on the Isle of Wight.