Quick poll of larger families...

[changer22]

Would you go on a summer holiday with 3 young ones (under 7) and an 8 week old?

It would involve plane travel as we always do house swaps and not many British people want to swap within Britain. We have a nice house to swap with in a nice part of the country but we couldn't afford a cottage rental so it's our only option. I am not at all hardy so camping is out of the question too! DH has plenty of airline points so the flights aren't too bad.

The problem is that I can't imagine whether we will be up to the challenge or not but I fancy a change of scene and need to plan if we are going. As it would be a house swap I can't change my mind and mess people about.

It's not like it's my PFB but I don't know if I'm underestimating the tiredness, etc. of a new baby.

Would you do it/Have you done it?

In a word, no.
For me the stress would outweigh any of the benefits.
But then I get quite stressed with a newborn, worying about forgetting things etc

No, I would'nt - too stressful.

No, I would'nt - too stressful.

l went camping in the rainy uk with my 3 and the 5 week old ds4

So yes I would but I can't say it was relaxing

Oh and i'd say if you're not bf forget it tbh, too much hassle

No way. Just getting them in the car is hard work.

Me neither. You would need another holiday just to get over it!

I'm in a similar position to you - I have three under 5s and am expecting my 4th baby in May. My answer I'm afraid is NO - I think you'd come home exhausted!

Like you, I really want a holiday though and we're desperately trying to save for centerparcs as I think it's the least stress with small children. Would you consider taking your older children out of school for a week and going outside the school holidays, perhaps later in the year? That might save a bit of money... C-parcs have some really cheap deals around in the autumn when the weather can still be quite nice, and your baby would be a bit older...

Well, first of all I only have 3! But, last year we went with our just 8 year old 5 year old and 12 week old which involved a 8 hour ferry crossing in horrid weather and me ending up sea sick in cabin, then a 2 hour drive (resulting in us not finding our villa and having to search for a hotel at 1am!), two different villas, ie one week one place, one week the next, etc. We had a fab holiday! The big bonus I thought was feeding little one to sleep around 7pm and then us all having a meal together in local restaurant while baby slept for a few hours. But, I was bf which is so much easier than trying to warm bottles, etc. We really, really enjoyed going when baby was so small because she slept for big chunks which meant we could all play around on the beach, etc, while she slept (and we were only in France and it rained for days too). So, if you can go somewhere hot, maybe with a pool to keep the older children happy, I think it would be great.

no..never!

We have five children and have gone away on holiday every summer except the year #4 was born (July).

We went to Jamaica when the youngest was 12 weeks old (others were 3, 5, 8, 10).

yes ive done it and have continued to do it lol

I would holiday in the UK but not abroad. But then DH and I don't like very hot weather.

I would but only with DHs help and he wouldnt as hes proved by continually backing out of plans

we went to Italy with our 4dc's and baby at 5 wks.

Fab, lovely and relaxing, camping, Unless you are bf though, i'm not sure i could be arsed with all the paraphenalia.

TBH, what does the baby need? boobs, some vests, sleepsuits, nappies, err that's it. Will probably sleep alot. Go for it, i say.