First hoilday as a mummy - HELP

[tryingtobemarrypoppins2]

Well as a mummy of 2 anyway! DS's 2:6 and new baby is 8 weeks. Still finding things a bit

We are off to the Isle of Wight staying at Haven resort (big change from our All Inclusive trips to Mexico before babies!).

Any tips on what to take/where to go/how to have a fab time and not get stressed!

I have a list on my computer, which I update every time we go away. It has headings for "eating", "sleeping", "feeding", "playing", etc., and a section might look like this:

HEALTH, SAFETY
Calpol
Nurofen
red book
thermometer
socket covers

Is this a good start?

You can't go too far wrong as far as supplies in the Isle of Wight. Travel light and shop locally after the first couple of days for nappies, wipes, etc.

E-mail ahead with requests for any equipment etc.

I am on the Isle of Wight (Cowes) and the first thing to say is that you will be able to buy practically everything you need once you get here! We do have several of the main supermarkets here on the island - Tesco, Sainsburys, Lidl and Co-op. So I would recommend travelling light - or as light as possible when you have two small children! Ours are 3.7 years and 16 months old.

I am not sure where Haven has sites on the island but really, nowhere is especially far from anywhere assuming you have a car? (If not, it is much MUCH cheaper to buy a rover ticket on the bus rather than paying for individual journeys which cost a fortune!)

We have been having some lovely weather - we have been at the beach for the past few weekends! Children friendly include Ryde, Sandown, Ventnor and Shanklin for sand. Colwell Bay and Compton are also nice and less 'touristy'.

If you are looking for play parks, some of our favourites include: Gurnard seafront, Bridge Road in Cowes, Sandown by the Heights leisure centre (also probably the best public pool as the shallow end is the whole length of the 'baby' pool) and Yaverland in Sandwon - the far end by the zoo.

Animal places include the zoo in Sandown, Amazon World (our 3yo loves the sloths and the armadillos), Coleman's Farm and Fakenham Farm.

If you need an indoor soft play then you could try Space Island in Lake and JR's place on the Industrial Estate by Newport but I recommend The School House in Cowes - it is a proper cafe/restaurant with a free indoor play centre which is great for little ones but not for over 5s or so which makes it even better for the small ones! We were there for over 90 minutes last weekend and practically had the place to ourselves for half an hour over lunch! Then we went downstairs to the restaurant and had proper food for lunch at proper grown up tables! And yes, it is free for the kids to play!

Almost everywhere is child friendly - we always take our girls out to eat and have not had any problems as far as I can recall.

Also, regarding staying at Haven - are you in a caravan? We have done Eurocamp in Holland and France so figure same set up. Is the baby still in a moses basket or are you planning on a travel cot? These tend not to fit in the main bedroom in a caravan - space is usually limited. Also check for bedside rail for older child.

(Not wanting to be pushy but, if travel cot or bedside rail are needed, we do have these items in our loft that we could easily lend you if helpful!)

Overall, just try to avoid comparing child friendly holidays with the resort or city breaks you used to enjoy. I am sure you will have a lovely time here - and the children will have fabulous time!

Sorry for such a long post!

Oh and Puckpool Park in Seaview is fabulous - take a picnic and then walk down to the beach from the play area and get icecream!

And ask for toddler ice cream for DS - lots of places do them even if they don't have a sign up! Lovely in Ice Cream parlour in Cowes and ice cream van in square in Newport!

Wishing Well on the way to Seaview is good for lunch - has play area outside and toys inside for little people but serves proper food!

The Propeller in Bembridge is good for lunch if DS wants to watch aeroplanes.

There are MacDonalds, KFC, Subway, Pizza Express, Pizza Hut for easy lunches if you fancy them.

Lovely deli's everywhere - Cowes, Ventnor, Yarmouth spring to mind.

Dysgu YOU ARE FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK-YOU SO MUCH!!!!

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Dysgu sorry back again!
After a 1/2 day at BGC (I'm assuming there is enough to do there for a few hours??) is there anywhere you would reccommend for dinner??

Is there a crazy golf anywhere??

The Propeller in Bembridge sounds good, although I guess during the day if you want to see planes!

Thanks for the park suggestions, I thought we would go to Puckpool for a picnic lunch and ice cream when we arrive???

Is Robin Hood worth a visit with a 2 year old??

Is the nearest beach to lower hyde Shanklin or Sandown...bit confussed on map??

Sorry! I expect I'll think of something else in a minute!

TBH we have not been to Blackgang Chine with our girls but Sis was there with her two (aged 6 and 3 years) in the Easter hols and they all wanted to go back again! They do a deal think it is always on but not sure, where you can go again or to Robin Hill within 7 days for free.

We often take ours to Robin Hill - they love it! Take swim wear as there are water games which is great for a warm day. You can also take a picnic if you want. Lots of running space, our 3yo loves the toboggan ride (with daddy of course!) and has done for past year or so! Also would spend all day feeding the coy carp - which are huge!

There is a crazy golf on Shanklin seafront - and in Sandown by the park with big slide (you will see it from anywhere along that end of the sea front!)

Shanklin is closest to Lower Hyde - but you can walk straight along the prom from Shanklin to Sandown. All flat and pedestrianised. (And you can catch the dotto train back if you time it right - even with the buggy!)

And Puckpool for a play and ice cream after arriving would be great.

And feel free to ask more questions! Am happy to help if I can.

Oh and yes for planes in the daytime!

Thank-you so much! Your a star!