Can't help thinking that a holiday in a remote French cottage with a six year old, a three year old and a 2 month old baby isn't going to be much fun.

[Enid]

dh is determined to go to France as usual this summer when our new baby will be 2 months old and hopefully breastfed.

the cottage is very remote, with no tv or dvd. I am dreading it. The girls got a bit bored last year, and how on earth do you spend the day on the beach with a 2 month old? I probably will have had very little sleep and this will continue on holiday. atm I can't help thinking it will just be like being at home except without any comforts or friends.

Can't bear to say I don't want to go though as it would ruin holidays for everyone else.

Where is it? If Bretagne for example, I've spent summers there where it's rained non-stop! I'm not helping you feel positive about this, am I? But it doesn't sound ideal... why does your dh insist on going with a newborn?

yes weather in bognro better htan brittnay apprently

marina

I did originally say I refused to go unless we bought portable dvd player or french tv/video to take

but have moved through that and now can't think of single reason to go

I like:
eating in lovely cafes (not really possible with 2 month old unless it happens to coincide wiht sleeping)
laying in in morning while dh brings me coffee and croissants (may still happen but tempered by fact I will have been awake half the night)
playing on beach with older kids, swimming and rock climbing (unlikely to feel like it, will be worried about hot baby, wont want to feed on beach with powdery sand everywhere)
staying up yakking with dh drinking expensive wine
(really wotn feel like it)

poor dh in denial about third child

think you cna still goand do some of htat enid though

dh can take girls off to kids cluba dn retunr to paper you
you can stya up late chattign adn drining moderately

I think you should stay in Dorsert but have a long weekend in Barcelona. Meets all your criteria.

we are planning long weekend here

enid, sleep deprivation is at worst between 8 and 12 weeks I seem to remember

time to put your pretty little foot down methinks

Wow! Is that for just you and dh? Looks fab.
I would love to do Paris or Barcelona with kids for a long weekend too.

yes just for us and friends

although expect thread titled

'can I really leav my 6 month old for three days to swan about on holiday?'

I will answer yes when you start that thread.

And I will add without a doubt

love city break idea with kids though

will think

you freak?
kids ina city
a dn a baby
p

i am off

lol cod. Maybe I have blanked out the realities of tiny babydom somewhat, not to mention toddlerhood. For me I think a long weekend would be manageable and in Barcelona you have beaches, parks, cafes, markets, lots going on and lots of places to stay.

enid, get him to take a couple of weeks off and for 5 days or a week of that go here - some friends have just stayed here over xmas with children etc and said it was brilliant. on the most fantastic huge beachy bay, great food, wonderful with children, lots going on so the older dds can make friends etc, and no planes/boats etc involved.

they get a holiday, you get to be looked after in a hotel, you can chuck all the baby crap in the car, all of you get some sand between your toes.

what do you think?

we had gorgeous holiday in Pembrokeshire when dd was 6 weeks, I found it much easier than later when she was more demanding - just put her in the sling, get dh to carry her and was really nice and relaxing (ds was 2). No idea what it's going to be like with 3 though. The idea of you staying in the cottage with baby is hideous! Especially with no TV/DVD.

Why don't you go for a week then have a week at home? I must say that a remote cottage with a baby whilst DH takes other DCs to beach sounds excellent. Books to read, food to make, sleep...
The baby would probably be fine on the beach unless it is baking hot. I had one of those UV tent things and used to feed in that until I got thoroughly hacked off and just lay on the lounger feeding. This was in Pembrokshire and no-one batted an eyelid!

SC holidays are always hard work though but I think unless you've got pots of money you just have to accept it.

not really worth going for a week as it takes a day to get there, might think about it though

pph that looks like a good idea, can't see if they have baby listening will check later when more time thanks x E

We often do "arse end of nowhere" holidays in France, including a week at Easter a couple of years ago when DD was 2 months old which was great, but my two eldest are boys who can happily spend the day outside making bases, lighting fires etc. with their dad, and as I wasn't breastfeeding DD I could enjoy the wine We bring a laptop for DVDs and computer games in case of bad weather and spend extraordinary amounts of time planning meals and cooking. My main concern in your situation would be the journey with three kids - unless you have a people carrier. I was always very proud of the fact that the boys would happily tolerate long car journeys until I realised that the seat between them was crucial!!!

Doesn't sound like much of a holiday to me - I know I'd be knackered. Went s/c when our younger ds was a baby but only for a week. Wasn't restful!!

Enid, where is the French cottage? If it's anywhere near us then I'll come and pick you up and take you round the sights for a day, you can even come over for tea.

look in the section of the website called "family holidays" - they do children's tea from 5.30, have a children's club, playgrounds, cots etc etc.
all proper food etc as well, none of this beans and flipper dipper crap.
my friends are v fussy and they thought it was great

Rhuby it is in Bannalec in Brittany (half way between Quimper and Lorient)

I think tbh if it had a swimming pool we'd be quids in as the girls and dh could quite happily spend all day splashing about. As it is it has a lovely orchard but tbh it is exactly the same as our cottage here in Dorset, so no real novelty value for the kids (or me for that matter )