Sorry i feel a moan coming on but need to get this off my chest - please allow me to be self-indulgent! Just come back from first proper holiday with DS (21 months) to Portugal. Although there were some good bits - this is what happened:
Got stuck at Heathrow for 3 hours due to BA computer failure.
Arrived in Lisbon (3 hours late) but our luggage was still at Heathrow (it did arrive next afternoon)
Place we were staying was a bit more out of the way than we had thought and although OK inside not particularly child-friendly outside.
I did my back in on day 3 and was hobbling about like an old crone for the next few days.
DS was very unsettled and would not sleep in the day - hence displayed lots of ?toddler behaviour? IYKWIM!!! (not like him at all)
Stayed in most evenings as DS went to bed at normal time (he did sleep OK) and watched dreadful Portugese TV and ate pasta.
Not quite what we had in mind for our first family holiday. Admittedly we did not choose the right property or location - but all the other things put together just made it grim! We had a nice time on the beach etc but when it was time to leave it was always like WW3! what upset me most was how upset DS was - i'd never seen him like this before and it was all our fault for trying to have a good time!
Obviously will be putting this down to experience and probably holidaying in the UK next year - migth try and get a weekend break in before Xmas as well as feel havent had one!
What else can i do to cheer myself (& DH) up that doesnt involve a) spending lots of money b) eating lots of chocolate c) drinking lots of wine!
TIA
P.S. DS returned to normal gorgeous self and back in his routine the moment we stepped through the door!