Holidays & childcare...

[BubGal13]

Hi all
am well prepared for some unhappy response to his question so feel free, but we are going to Spain for over 2 weeks in July with out 20 month old DS.
Naturally adore him, goes without saying but hes a hyper little guy and on previous holidays have almost come back more stressed as literally don’t get a moment to ourselves (realise this is part other parcel of parenting ok!!).
BUT- would it be so awful, having contacted an English run, fab, reputable nanny agency out there, who would come and pick him up, give us a variety of toddler focused activities to take him to Soft play centres, splash around parks etc. so he can also interact with other kids during our stay- and give us 4 hours off- for 5 days out of the 15? So not even every other day.

Do you think this is completely selfish? Also trusting the nanny to drive him in her car?Would welcome all thoughts. Thanks.

that's with OUR DS not withOUT arrggh!

I think it is a marvellous idea! I have a 3yo and a 6mo and currently no plans to holiday abroad for a good few years as that sort of holiday (to me) should involve lounging around a pool or on a beach and it just seems like that is an impossibility with such small dcs.

I would definetly use a scheme like this!!

Why don't you train him to have a siesta?

We did this with our dcs. They woke early in the cool of the day, then had their siesta, and we had one too and then woke to have dinner with us.

I got some sunbathing in during the quiet time, DH had a siesta too, great holiday.

Having a toddler club nearby would have been lovely, and if you're happy about the nanny, then go for it. My concern would be that I didn't know the nanny before hand, and Ime of nannies from different cultures you have to be very specific and tell them not to slap your dcs. and not to give them sugary snacks etc.

I know exactly where your coming from a holiday with a 20mth old is a nightmare and not much of a holiday for you however it's very much an exciting holiday for your dc warm weather playing in a pool or beach every day is brilliant for them.
Would your child be happy to go off with a complete stranger? Why can't you find out where the local soft play centres, splash parks are and take him yourself?
I'm not against an adult only holiday me n my dh often go on short breaks on our own 2 weeks seems such a long time to be away from him. Could you not have 2 holidays 1 week with dc and 1 week adult only? Who would be looking after dc if you left him at home?could you not go in holiday in a larger group with family or friends than can help entertain the lo.

Sorry moom my fault, we are taking him with us for the 2 weeks, just looking to hire a nanay from (British run/speaking) childcare agency, for 5 out of the 15 days to take him 4/5 hrs on those days.

AHH think - great!
I honestly had no idea how mental and chaotic holidays would become (& that's only with the 1!). Would just allow me time to finally pick up a magazine or book again you know... and he is a very social guy so 2 weeks away without any other kids would be a shame for him. FYI there are these fab nanny agencies ran be British ex pats in most European countries offering really reliable but flexible childcare.

Even if he naps in that time instead, one of you will need to stay with him, and there is the possibility (probability) he will wake after one or two hours.

At least this way you have a clear time frame and can maybe do an activity together that isnt child friendly. Just think about when you time it. At that age he will probably still want a lunchtime snooze, so id book it for early morning or mid afternoon so he is at his most alert.

Ha ha sorry I misunderstood. The heat generally makes them sleep longer than they would at home and swimming tires them out so you will get some respite and chance to sunbathe in peace it's the rest of the time that'll be chaotic.

One thing that helped me on holiday was sticking to a bedtime routine but instead of putting down to sleep in cot i put him in the pram he'd fall asleep as we walked to a restaurant (if not full asleep when you get there face the pram looking at a wall or something else that isn't going to engage him) we eat in peace then went back put baby In cot and we had a drink on the balcony. Dc never even knew he'd been out most of the time.

Brilliant idea. I cannot recommend highly enough having a few hours just as a couple on holiday. Leaves you less frazzled for the rest of the time with your DC and means you get a holiday. Meanwhile the DC have a whale of a time.

Win win!

ha moom no worries, if you'd thought I was going off without him for 2 weeks shocked there wasn't more outcry! Good tips re. sleeping, will def walk to restaurants with him in buggy in eve rather than drive and try this, thanks.

Thanks everton my thoughts exactly, thanks for the positivity!! Almost posted for people to talk me out of it as maybe selfish or irresponsible, glad to see that isn't the general consensus... will start saving up for it now then?!

I'd say selfish is something like shoving your child in a hotel kids club for 8 hours a day, every day, with people who don't speak English.

What you're proposing, not selfish! I suspect your DS will enjoy himself even more than you in those few hours :)

I wouldn't choose to leave ds with anyone other than family and close friends, but that's me! And I totally understand how manic holidays can be so a few hours of you time every few days sounds great. I'm assuming there's some kind of CRB check on nannies abroad so you can be totally confident leaving him? I would also check that rules and regs meet UK ones too. If so, go for it and enjoy your holiday!

That sounds great to me!

Would you mind passing on details of the agency, or how you'd find one?

We've been invited to a wedding abroad and something like that would be perfect!

But yes do it! Why wouldn't you? Perfect

Sounds absolutely brilliant. Are you allowed to tell us where you found the agency / where abouts? I'd happily leave my twins. I might stay with them and the nanny for the first hour or so.

Sounds good to me, do it! Would also be keen to hear of agencies thanks.

we found 1 agency for Spain/Mallorca via this site- www.seemallorca.com/childcare/

sorry for confusion re. above post was meant to reply to another thread asking re. similar agencies in Italy where we also thinking of going.

Found our agency on that link too Scatty! A simple Google search i.e. "holiday chidlcare/nanny agencies...country you are visiting " brings lots of results, most countries have them. A friend is doing similar in Tenerife -also a British ran/speaking agency.

Thanks OP have a lovely holiday!