Holiday with 3 kids under 5

[ponds12]

I really want to go on a hot holiday but my husband will not be around for the time we can go. So I’m thinking of going without him as and taking the kids. Eldest will be approaching 5 and youngest will be 3 months. Want to find somewhere with a short flight maybe Portugal, and easy to roam around without driving myself but will take taxi. Not a fan of all inclusive, but would love to stay in a villa. Has anyone experienced solo parenting on holiday with children?

Well it would only be a holiday in the sense there was sun and you were not at home. In every other way, I suspect it would be quite shit actually.

Practically, how would it work?!

This sounds like a terrible idea

I have 3 children and would not have taken them on holiday by myself at those ages. It will be hard work- it would be hard work if you were both there.

That sounds like hell. Why on earth would you put yourself through that?

Stuck in a villa with 3 tiny kids and not even a car? They'll all be overtired, not sleeping, not liking the unfamiliar food... You won't even have a partner with you for a minute's break. You couldn't pay me to go on such a "holiday".

The only way to do this would be to take a nanny with you. This would not be a holiday. As people have said, you would be warm but you will still be looking after three young children. Perhaps you could find a resort with child care but that assumes your children will go to it. I can’t imagine getting on a plane with your three children.

Depending on the age of your middle child, you may not be able to take them on a flight. It sounds like a terrible idea-it wouldn’t be for me. How would you keep them safe around the pool?

I did a villa in Spain with 3 under 5 a few years ago and it was hell. I even brought my parents and had my DH there. I think all inclusive if you are alone. And it’s going to be exhausting alone regardless. The sun screening is hell when they’re tiny. The pools are dangerous and you have to be hyper vigilant at all times. How would you even get in with 3 babies? The heat was tough going for them. The beach was exhausting.

Only if you like punishing yourself.

Our trip to Center Parcs with a 15 month old and 3 month old was challenging enough, plus I had my husband and 14 year old to help out 😀

Even with your partner this sounds like hard work.
Three young children on a flight by yourself would be a nightmare. How would you manage taking them to the loo with a baby in hand?

Maybe try somewhere UK based?

I'm not your ideal respondent as I'm not a single parent, but our first sun holiday was when our kids were 2,4,4,6.
Being outnumbered with a shared pool was really difficult. Minutes after arriving at the pool, one of our 4 year olds walked into the adult pool and out of his depth in a matter of seconds, just as we were putting our things on the sun beds. We opted to hire private villas with our own pool after that, but it was never relaxing. One parent had to be hyper vigilant whenever we were at the pool.
I'd recommend Praia da Luz as a really walkable resort, very family friendly but it has a transfer time of about an hour in a taxi. Our children loved it as kids, but found it dull as teenagers.

Bloody hell, I admire your confidence! I couldn't even take my three to Tesco together at those ages

Just don't do it!! Lunatic idea.

Gosh you're a braver woman than me! Our third is due next year and I've said I only want to do all inclusives for a while as it's the only way it'll feel a bit like a holiday - and I'd not want to go on my own either.

Sorry not a useful answer in terms of tips! But very good luck if you do decide to go, I hope it's amazing (and am jealous if it is!)

I wouldn't do it and I am all for traveling with kids. If you have to go go somewhere with a kids club so you can routinely send the older 2 there for a limited amount of peace. How old is the middle one? I assume over 2 as you wouldn't be able to take 2 kids under 2 as both need to sit on your lap.

Use the money you would spend on a holiday to turn your heating up to "hot" and stay at home.

You will be in a warm country but without all the home comforts that you have at home with parenting. It would be hell on earth to do it solo. It would be madness to even attempt it.

We will have a newborn, 2 yo and 4 yo next summer. My husband mentioned a villa and I was like yeah right with nothing to do but parent in a different house?!
I want to do Eurocamp again with kids club for 4 yo and 2 x swimming pools, mini golf, sandpit, playgrounds etc

Sounds like hell. The airport would be enough to stress me out!

Nope, this will not be a holiday. It'll be hot but you won't even be able to use a pool or go in the sea to cool off due to ratios. Even a UK beach holiday would be hellish, Butlins is the only place I'd go with very tiny tots as it's built for them.

My grandma used to say "never have more children than hands that need holding" and all of yours needs holding so to do that overseas, on your own is ludicrous.

If you want to do it and DH can't go, invite a grandparent.

Flying solo was challenging enough with 2, I also paid for seats for under 2 as then you could strap in car seats (forward facing back then). Why not wait until your husband can go?

How would you even manage to carry 3 car seats and luggage and the baby?

Or are you a parent who forgets about car safety when abroad?

Also what about water safety, how could you possibly keep all three safe by a pool or at the beach?

Have you thought about the practicalities of how you will manage 3 x children under 5 and all your luggage at the airport, not just travelling out but when you land and for the transfer. How will you watch/manage three in a swimming pool at the same time? What will you do for car seats in the taxis? The thought of that alone would make it a no for me.

Can you not go another time when your husband is available? Is there another adult you can take with you? Grandparents? I think it will be very hard work and stressful for you by yourself.