First ever holiday abroad with children - panicing - what do I need to take?

[AlCrowley]

DS will be 3.5 years and DD will be 7.5 months when we got to Portugal at the end of July.

We've not be abroad since before DS was born - we've been to Center Parcs twice with him at 18 months and almost 3. Nothing with DD or with a baby so young.

I've never been to Portugal and for various reasons, not been on many beach type holidays either. Only one as an adult was our honeymoon in Borneo but that was 5 years ago! I doubt we would be doing this holiday if it weren't for the fact that DH's parents are taking us.

I'm feeling completely out of my depth. I have no idea what I need and am beginning to panic slightly. It doesn't help that because DH's parents booked it, I have no real idea about the place were going and getting any information is like pulling teeth. MIL is supposed to be e-mailing the villa owner asking if I need to take cot bedding or a highchair but she hasn't and as she's renting it from a lady over there rather than a big company, I can't really go round her to check myself.

All I know is that it's a big villa, a walkable distance from a beach (Pria Da Luiz (sp?) I think it is) and it has a pool, a washing machine and a cot for DD. We're sharing with PIL's, both SIL's and families so 15 of us in all.

What's it like there please? What do I need to take? I get close to tears whenever I think about it!

Anyone?

Possibly car seats if you might rent a car. We found foreign car hire companies useless at this.
Sun cream, of course.
Buy both the children all-in-one sunsuits, so there's less to suncream. And sunhats.

Don't bother with buckets/spades. Usually you can by some for a few Euros, and a beach ball or something, and they take up so much room.

Calpol and any cough/cold medications you use. One of them is bound to catch something on the plane, and it's a pain trying to buy unfamiliar stuff in a foreign language.

Nappies if there's room. You might not be able to get your usual brand if it's a tiny town.

If the 3.5 year old is out of nappies at night, best to take either pull-ups or a plastic sheet for the bed. It's embarrassing if there are accidents on an unprotected mattress, and you might be asked to pay for it.

One of those fold-up potties with plastic bag liners. Kids always want a poo at the most inconvenient times, and can't wait while you negotiate with the nearest taverna owner to use his (filthy) loo.

Water wings for the pool.

Passports.

Credit cards and some cash.

Travellers' Cheques for emergencies (eg if the bank freezes your cards even though you've told them you're away)

Can't think of anything else at the moment.

It'll be lovely. You'll have a fabulous time. And with MIL there, you might get an evening's baby-sitting while you and DH have a romantic meal in a waterside restaurant.

Oh yes, apply for EHIC cards for all of you. Google it. And don't pay for them, that's a scam.

And travel insurance for emergencies.

Don't panic - there are perfectly good shops in Portugal and whatever you forget will be available. Yes to Calpol and stuff like that just because I always find chemist-type stuff harder to get abroad - you have to ask for it, so there are language problems.

Don't go crazy with toys - a few favourites, because I think it helps them settle in a new place more easily, and a few books.

If there's a washing machine you needn't go crazy re clothes - but equally you don't wnat to spend the holiday doing laundry, so as much as you can pack. Bring beach towels.

Have a great time .

Chill out and enjoy. You will have a fab time.

If you forget anything there are massive supermarkets in Lagos, nr Pria Da Luz.

Holidays with young children are not restful, but enjoyable in a different way.

When they go to bed relax on the balcony with a glass of wine.

Have been to Lagos twice with young children, a child friendly place. Beach at Praia da Luz is fab.

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks everyone

OK, so looking around the house, so far I have:
Passports
EHIC cards
Suncream
1 Sun suit each - do I need more?
Hats
Calpol in sachets?
Toys.
Potette - will need more bags for it though

Have applied for new 0% card from Abbey which is free to use abroad

Children both have 'cuddlebug' towels that we use for swimming which I was going to use for quick wrap ups after the pool. We have a moonbag for laying on. Do they need proper, flat beach towels too?

I have a floaty seat thing for DD. DS has swimming lessons but cannot yet swim. Swimming teacher doesn't like them using water wings though as she says they need to learn to be happy in the water without them. Risky for a holiday though? We got handed down a float vest. Maybe I could take that?

Will check with DH about insurance - he was looking but I don't know if he signed up for anything

Bit worried about taking car seats on the plane. Won't they get thrown around by the baggage handlers? They were blinking expensive too as they're both IsoFix - not to mention seriously heavy and awkward to carry, esp DS's as it is huge and has a folding leg for the IsoFix floor support. I have enough trouble swapping it between cars, there is no way we could carry it any distance while looking after a child!! We are renting cars though.

Guess I'll need some washing tablets or something to use with the machine. We have to have Fairy for my skin as well as the children else I get an awful, itchy rash.

Will we need a portable highchair for eating out do you think? Not sure if there is even one in the villa!

DS is still in nappies at night so we'll need some pull ups as well as DD's Huggies

you can rent car seats with the car hire, but if you want to take your own, they are sent with fragile items and should be okay.
Are you taking a stroller? The baby can sit in that at mealtimes.

sunsuits dry fast, one each will be fine

you need osmething to put on the sand - rug or extra twoels

investigate if you can rent carseats with your car

don't worry re ds and swimming style, he will prob just splash in his depth. Inflatable toys / watering cans / buckets / balls etc are more fun than 'swimming aids' iyswim.

take a totseat or similar fabric highchair thing

Portugal is a wonderful country to go with kids. We went when my son was 7 months and found that high chair was present in all restaurants and they were willing to make a fresh veg puree for him. Just because they can. This is the attitude there. You will find baby paracetamol and nappies there too, take few for first few days - they may be called differently, but look out for similar colours or just try something local Dont forget it is EU therefore no need to worry about food/cosmetics/nappy standards. I usually find something I really like and end up bringing lots home.

Some airlines will take seats on board, especially if you purchased seats for kids, they will fit ON the plane seat and child can sit in his seat during the flight. Or check in and wrap in a big bag.

Dont overpack, one of everything will be fine, everything dries so quickly in the sun.

Dont firget yourself - lots of books when they are asleep and wine opener (checked in of course) for bottles that you will buy in the shop.

It will be the best time.

We're taking our old hand-me-down McLaren. Do we need a totseat too?

It has a small hood and I have a clip on shade Will we need a bigger one do you think?

Was planning on opening up the moonbag to use on the sand. bad idea?

Do we need pool shoes for DS? Doodles or crocs similar?

Am in a similar situation and have started a similar thread. While looking through variuos list/sites etc., I found a Prince Lionheart Pushchair Shade and Go Anywhere Blackout Blind as potentially useful items, the former also to keep insects away during evening walks with the child. Have already purchased the shade and waiting for it to arrive, as for the blackout not sure yet as might have to keep the windows open... So not sure if it'll be needed in that case.
Would like to ask you about your moonbag - do you find it useful and what do you not like about it? Thinking of buying one, they're quite costly so would like to pick your brain about it if you don't mind... Thanks!

So far, I've just used the moonbag for DS's swimming lessons. It works really well for standing him on once he's dry to get dressed if there is a wet floor in the changing room. I'm thinking it will be even more useful when DD starts her lessons as it will give me somewhere clean and dry to lay her when I'm getting her changed both before and after our swim.

Sound be good for the beach too as a sand-free place to lay her with some toys.

I love: the way it gives me a clean, dry, 1 meter diameter space to lie DD/get DS dry.

• the way it's machine washable for when it does get dirty
• the way I can throw everything - swim towels, beach toys etc - into the center of it, pull the cords and be ready to go in a few seconds.
• that the carry strap unclips so it can be moved out of the way when the bag is out flat.
• that it has a lip all round the edge when spread out to keep things inside the bag.

Not so keen on: it being so bulky. Mine's quite new and stiff still. I'm hoping it softens after a few washes and a bit more use so that it hangs better and is a bit more comfortable to carry.

• the way the wet outer of the bag lies against you as you carry it after use. I have learnt to just carry it with the bottom facing out now though which stops this happening.

I wish: it had a pocket inside for wallets and phones. I don't really want my mobile wrapped up in a wet towel on the way home. I've started carrying a little sandwich type bag inside mine to keep my phone and wallet nice and dry when the towels are wet.

• the padded area was bigger than 40cms in the center, although I guess this would make it more bulky and stiff.
• that it wasn't black inside as that's going to get hot on the beach. I'll have to lay a lighter towel inside it.

Does that help? All in all, I would recommend them. I've only had it for a few weeks but it's already become invaluable for swimming lessons and will make packing up on the beach a breeze. I got mine from Play.com as they were a bit cheaper on there. There were a few on Ebay too...

Thanks very much AlCrowley. I really appreciate your detailed report on the bag. I think I'm going to get one as hopefully DD is starting swimming soon too! Thanks once again.
And yes, here's the pushchair shade, a bit cheaper on e-bay. I had a net kind of thing to go over travel cot/buggy last summer and it was v. useful but this one definitely better. www.amazon.co.uk/Prince-Lionheart-6402-Pushchair-Shade/dp/B000067P7M/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

You're welcome.

Will check out the buggy shade. Do you think it would fit on a basic MacLaren?

Well I have a MacLaren Triumph and a Techno, I can wait until it arrives and tell you if it fits, but the description says it'll fit buggies with hoods. So I assume it will.

Start packing way in advance, like a week in advance.

Make lists of what is needed on a day to day basis (pram, high chair, bouncer etc and get the number of the villa rental to see if they can come with baby equipment.
Sometimes you can find a local shop who will rent this stuff out (including prams etc)

The car rental will be able to provide you with car seats.
If youre taking a taxi from the airport to your villa ask them to bring for child seats as well.

Also think about what you will need food wise for the plane/trip, do you need a steriliser/sterilising tablets?

Plan what you will need /take in your hand luggage.