First trip abroad with toddler - tips

[bananamachinewater]

I'm going to Turkey at end of May with 2.5yo DS. It will be his first trip abroad so just looking for some tips from seasoned travelers that I may not have thought of.
We're staying here and will be all inclusive - https://www.jet2holidays.com/turkey/antalya-area/lara-beach/ramada-resort-lara
For context I'm going with other family in a group of 8 (My mum and her friend, Sister and her 3 older kids who are 17, 15 and 12) but not my OH so will be the only parent present. Obviously already aware that this will likely not be a relaxing time for me 😅

It’ll be fine. I got very anxious about going abroad with mine and didn’t go until the youngest was about 2.5. It’ll be lots of running around after them, the same as at home but at least you’ll be in warm sunny weather doing it!

Take snacks and entertainment for the flight. And a pillow so they can sleep. Let routine go out of the window regarding food and sleep. They can sleep in the buggy on an evening then be transferred to bed. Long sleeve swimwear and pool toys. Hopefully with lots of family going you’ll have plenty of eyes on toddler when in the pool. Just take it as it comes.

Thank you 😊all good tips! I'm not really anxious about it, more just in the planning stage where I need to think about what I'm taking and if there's anything still to buy.
I had to order a buggy as normally only use either a jogging pram or his original pushchair from the travel system so that was annoying to have to buy at this point. But as you say, I had imagined he will probably have a snooze in it so felt like an essential!

Get some little pool shoes for him, something like slipfree, for grip around the pool. I would also invest in a decent swim cap (as in baseball cap).

I would also make sure any adults who have told you they’ll “keep an eye” around the pool do a verbal handover and be super clear if anyone else will be responsible.

@NorthantsNewbieOh yes, swim shoes are a non negotiable in our house…he slipped in the changing rooms at swimming when he was 19m and broke his femur 😭 I will be making sure he still wears them when he’s old enough to go on holiday with his pals 😂