Best timing for a five-night child-free trip for husband’s 40th

[ScottishFemale90]

Ok so it’s my Husband’s 40th birthday coming up very soon.
We have kids aged 4 and 2.
We have the opportunity of 5 nights abroad child free to celebrate.
We are off work from now until 19th August.
His Birthday is 10th of August.
Oldest child starts her first day of school on 18th of August.
In a bit of a dilemma of which dates to go away.
Do we go before his birthday and spend his birthday with family or do we go over his birthday?
Looking for advice from parents who have been in a similar situation and reasons why?

Will the rest of the family be bothered? What would you do if you did stay at home over his birthday?

I would go before and have the kids around on the actual birthday. They are the age now where they can participate, maybe make him something while you’re gone.

The actual date of his birthday is a minor consideration vs finding somewhere you want to go for sensible money at short notice, along with a date for a family gathering/meal out when everyone is available.

I would do a Whatsapp poll to identify when people would be free for a party, perhaps Saturday 8th August and then holiday round that, maybe going on the 10th or day or so after, but just because it works for planning, rather than it being his actual birthday. Otherwise you're risking limiting your holiday choices, or paying extra and/or not having people available, just to fit to his birthday, which doesn't really matter compared with other factors.

If we were at home it would be low key. Day out with the kids and his parents then out for a meal. But it’s the whole feeling of doing what’s right that i cant decide on. Maybe the kids won’t remember daddy’s 40th but he will. If we were away over the birthday he would miss out on that whole birthday feeling with his two little girls. And would coming home on the 14th be sufficient enough time for our daughter to get back into routine before her first day of school?

So no matter which dates we go with , they are all a similar sort of price and there are flights early every morning from Edinburgh/Glasgow so there’s no obstacles.
The 10th is his birthday so wouldn’t want to travel then, if we travel after then there’s not much time after we return home to get our daughter in routine for her first day of school.
The main sticking point is should we spend the actual birthday with the kids or spend it away? Interested to find out other peoples opinions and if they have experienced this dilemma before, and no matter which option was chosen , were there any regrets?

Ok. Do you have any ideas on what to do on his birthday with the kids and his parents?

The fact that you are asking this question now on the 31st of July is giving me second hand anxiety! It's hardly a surprise that he is turning 40, how did you not have all this planned months ago?!!

Our youngest has had a kidney problem so been in and out of hospital for operations for months now so we couldn’t make a plan in advance. We were all going to go on a family holiday but prices at this time of year are extortionate and there’s not much choice left at such short notice. So that’s when the grandparents stepped in and said why don’t you go away just the two of you. We are doing the big family holiday in the October holidays now instead.

This

One of your options is to go away on Sunday, but you haven't decided yet?
That's spontaneous!