Going on holiday with my 2 kids, am I mad?

[sofahogger]

Hi,
I haven't been on a holiday abroad since splitting with their dad 6 years ago. I've had an illness 4 years ago which took me 2 years to recover and I'm finally brave enough to go on a holiday abroad with my 2 dc.
I'm looking to go to gran canaria for May half term. I've saved the money and found a great hotel, all inclusive, pool with slides to keep dc happy.
I'm hesitating booking it as I'm scared something might go wrong, flight delays, hotel overbooked or transfer not turning up and we will be stranded.
Please tell me to get a grip and it'll be fine. Have any of you gone abroad on your own with the kids?
I have taken them here in the uk and it was fine but was closer to home

GO for it. I took two children to Gran Canaria on my own a number of years ago and nothing went wrong. Our worst travel experiences were in this country - being stuck in a traffic jam for 5 hours on the M25 on a hot day and on another occasion being stuck in the snow near Glencoe.

The way I see it is we would never do anything if we didn't take calculated risks. Life doesn't always go exactly to plan but there is a learning curve so we (and the children) develop coping strategies when things go wrong.

Cheers, I know I'm fretting as the ex used to plan everything and I just went along with it.

Go for it - definitely! If there are delays, or if something else doesn't go according to plan, you will deal with it. I took my 2 DC to Greece for a week for the first time by myself last year and it went so well that I've booked the same place for 2 weeks this year. If THAT goes well, I will save hard and take them to Florida in 2016 ... which means driving and everything !

I think the idea is more frightening than the reality and this way, you get to choose exactly what to do and where to go and it's a bloody good feeling, knowing that you can do it by yourself.

how old are they ? - if older than six will be no problem. just take lots of snacks and take spare clothes for hand luggage in case you get spills etc or delays. will be plenty of English speaking reps around if anything goes wrong.

Do it!
I only have one child but he has SN so can be quite a handful. I go on holiday abroad with him. It was really scary at first as i doubted that i would manage, but i did. You just have to take the the plunge and go for it sometimes. After you have done it once it will give you the confidence to do it again.

I have just come on to ask the same question! I have three kids age 2, 7 & 10. Holiday is already booked, with exp. We were going as friends but that is very very unlikely. I think I am going to just go it alone but I am pretty scared!

How old are your children OP?

They will be 7 and 8. I should just take the plunge and book it.

Yes definitely. I did it last year DC(8&6) one of whom has ASD. Just plan as much as possible at home. Make a list. Pack early so you're not rushing and make sure you have a contingency of English money just in case.

There are some good travel tips on t'internet. I drove to the airport so stuck a ball on top of the car aerial then took a photo of the location to help me find it when we got back.

Take details of all your flight, hotel address + contact numbers. Keep them together in your hand luggage. You'll be fine!

I like holidaying with mine on my own - though I only have one. We go skiing (expensive) and camping (cheap as proverbial chips). She's 6. You always meet people and make new friends, your child always makes new friends - I really enjoy it.

Thanks for all your replies. I've booked it today just got to sort out travel insurance and hotel near the airport as it's an early morning flight and don't want to leave home at 3am. Really excited

You'll be fine! I only have one, but we go regularly and it's been fine.

I'm now considering skiing but that's a step further and I'm nervous

I do it all the time. Next year I am taking my dc to the US alone and will hire a car etc. My motto in life is "if it's a reasonable thing but you find it scary you should make yourself do it". I live by that and it's made me do things I never would have done otherwise. You'll be absolutely fine. Plan it down to the last meticulous detail. Or start out slow and stay in the UK the first time, you'll soon build confidence.

I'm going on holiday with my 4 year old DD in 2 weeks time. I was going to cancel it at one point as I thought I was mad for even booking it!

I'm worried about the flights, she is a very active child and doesn't sit down and easily bored. I used to travel with work so Airports don't phase me and I like flying, but I'm already stressing about the flight itself.

I'm also worried about going out and about, I've gone self catering and don't want to be stuck in the hotel and I like venturing out, but she has no stranger danger and will quite happily go off and chat to anyone, even though I warn her all of the time.

as I type this I'm thinking I'm mad, and will prob need a holiday when we get back!

passthewine I know they are not popular on Mumsnet but would you consider one of those rein back pack things or a wrist strap? My ds will be 2yrs 10months and I am definitely getting reins, if for the airport an md nowhere else. The checking in and retrieving of luggage is the bit that worries most logistically. I am thinking the 10yo and 7yo can have carry on sized cases on wheels and then one big case between us, pack light and wash stuff if needs be whilst there?

Our flight will be about 4hrs long , I think I will bring their tablets to keep them quiet.
Reins are a good idea especially in busy resorts. Unfortunately mine are a bit old for them now so will have to keep a close eye. I usually dress them in bright clothes when we go anywhere busy which really helps.

I've just booked to take DS (10 and has Asd) on all inclusive holiday in August to Majorca.
I figured with constant food and lots of pools whatever happens there will be fun to be had!

I've got one of thoes backpack/reins things, but my DD is too big for it now. In my opinion they're a fantastic invention - so I wasn't offended

Re keeping DD occupied on the flight, I've managed to upgrade my mobile phone contract and I've ordered a new iPad, and I've bought some earphones so hopefully that occupies her for a bit.

I'm now thinking what food and snacks to take on the flight, and thinking if I can put some food in the suitcase to try and save a bit of money whilst we're there. Was thinking of getting snacks and stuff from £ shop, home bargains ect but don't want the case weighing loads..

Argh! Even getting there is stressing me out. And don't get me started on money, the ex used to look after it and I now have to act like a responsible adult, sort food out, money and make sure DD is ok, fed and watered and has fun!

Oh, and I can't decide what's the best cheapest option to get to the airport. Taxi is £100! Train doesn't run until early hours back so we'd be stuck at the airport hours, I don't fancy driving back early hours.

Actually I might just stay at home and hide under thr covers for 2 weeks! Lol!

When I was nannying i regularly took my four charges (aged 6-15) on holiday alone, usually for a week.
Only issue I had was that I bloody exhausted!

OP - so pleased you have booked it :) You and your DCs have had a tough couple of years and relaxing in the sunshine and building happy memories will be wonderful.

Please can you come back and tell us all how it went?

When I took 3dc on holiday, I used the meet and greet service at the airport - much easier In terms of not having to park, having all your luggage in your own car and just being met at the airport to take the car away. It's often not much more than parking there too.

I buy crisps, fruit and 2 lots of sandwiches/drinks each from Boots after I have gone through security. Wouldn't be able to fit all the food in my hand luggage otherwise.

I learnt that my DSs always want to eat the sandwiches straight away while waiting to board the plane. Then the next lot I give them on the plane towards the end of the flight when they start to get bored. Saves a load of money.

Love the meet and great idea but would waver because of the cost. I'll certainly be using the "bright clothes" tip next time!

Just to be sure that there are no nasty surprises at the airport, I am sure there is some law about having the permission of everyone with PR for children when going overseas. It may have changed now and hopefully someone who knows more will be along to explain, but I have been asked once out of about twenty trips for a signed letter from their dad, and in that case (I had one) if I hadn't got it, the airline wouldn't let me fly...better to be prepared :)

I took my two last year for a week to the canaries all inclusive they were 2 & 4 and this year we are going to Portugal. Can't wait- was the best hol I've been on with the kids they were so well behaved & I was laughing to myself when I could see couples arguing about who's turn it was to watch the kids or who's turn to do the sun cream!
Being on your own means no expectations from anyone so I was much happier & relaxed! Lots of people came up to me asking how I did it on my own but I think it's easier! X
Have fun and just remember, if the kids are happy, your happy! X