Does anyone else hate holidays with their kids?

[Abouttime1978]

I'm on holiday and at the end of my tether.

Spent a fortune dragging my three little darlings on flights to a hotel with more activities than I can throw a stick at... and I think they'd be happier at home.

They are bickering and arguing and being rude and frustrating. Not all the time but enough to drive me mad.

I lost the plot tonight because DS tried to refuse to go to the toilet before bed, despite having wet the bed two days ago having insisted he didn't need a wee.

Feel like the money would be better spent on me and my DH taking turns to have a week away and just putting the kids into holiday clubs at home with their mates!

ARGGGGHHHHH!

Its SO painful. Can you bribe/discipline them with removal of tv and electronics. 3 strikes and they loose it for an hour. (If you take it away for too long the first time then you dont have anywhere to go when they keep misbehaving)

Yes! Us! The last time we went we said never again
It is in no way a holiday for us and they don't seem to enjoy it. We do several short UK breaks where we know there are things they will enjoy e.g Legoland/Center Parcs. I can't handle the stress of travel/airports and the inability to relax.

The only holidays we have taken our dc on have been to caravan parks within the UK. Separate rooms and dedicated living room area, own kitchen, come & go as you please, safe and enclosed veranda around the van, easy travel etc etc and if it's crap we can go home early without it costing us a fortune. The thought of taking them on an aeroplane fills me with dread but I've never been one for fancy holidays anyway, even before I was a parent!

Same shit different view!

I don't hate them, but the idea that it's in any way relaxing or a treat for the parents is a bit of a stretch.

Yes when they were little. We did abroad sun holidays twice then learned our lesson.

Wales, Northumberland and Cornwall cottage holidays were much better. Not too hot. Castles to explore. Beaches with proper castle-building sand (not the silly silky stuff abroad), rock pools, crabbing etc. Familiar food and English speaking doctors when they inevitably get ill!

Secondary school age onwards is a different matter. Still no to sunny beach breaks because none of us like them, but it's a joy to explore with them. I'm gutted that DS can't join us this year...

It's why I don't do it, although I have a wobble at this time of year when everyone else starts going their hold.

We travel to visit family and friends but no flights longer than 2 hours, no trips more than a week, and no destination where there won't be known DC for DS(4) to play with. Actually, the destination doesn't matter - I once took him walking in a magnificent Alpine forest, and after being quiet for a while he looked at me with fear in his eyes and whispered "why are we here?". He'd be happier with an ice cream at the playground. Total waste of money and energy.

Btw OP your DC may remember the holiday fondly, even if it's hell for you, so I suppose that's something?

We vowed never again after a hellish holiday in Mallorca 2 years ago (paid a fortune to stay in a 5 star hotel, what a frigging waste of money) but this year we are taking the plunge again with a shorter break in Portugal. I have a feeling we are going to regret it. They are 5 and 3 now but I think will be just as fraught as 2 years ago, perhaps even more so as at least in Mallorca DS wasn't yet walking so we didn't have to deal with him bolting and running around like a maniac when the mood takes him.

My desperation for a bit of guaranteed sunshine swayed me but I'm already breaking out in a cold sweat at the thought of the bickering, tears, airport queues etc.

How old are children?

A holiday with young children aren’t a holiday just a change of situation.

Structure works best . Plan your day out . Let them know the plan for the day.

Single mum here.
6 and 8 year old

I bloody LOVE them!!! We’re a little gang on adventures. Uk, Europe, Caribbean.

I swear children raise their game when just one parent. And no bickering between me and another adult.

Love them

One of our best holidays was a villa with a pool in Cyprus. DSs were about 3 and 4 I think. Me and DH were able to relax without worrying about the boys running off or having to deal with other people. We took with and bought there some inflatables and balls and things to play with, there was a cat that used to visit, we walked in the surrounding orange groves, had a few visits to the beach and local playground but generally amused ourselves - no ipads or phones in those days!

We have one child and although this isn't through choice, it is what it is BUT she is a fantastic traveler: doesn't get travel sick; loves to try new food; seems to settle somewhere new very quickly and as long as she can swim most of the day, play in a park and eat (sometimes two) ice creams daily, she's happy. She usually strikes up a friendship with someone and also loves to just sit plugged in to audible listening to Harry Potter on a sun lounger in the shade. She's 7 and as well as multiple UK trips to Scotland, Cornwall and all over England, we've taken her to western and southern France, Greece and Bulgaria. We've just booked to go to Kos this year and although where we're staying looks a little bit off the beaten track, she'll hopefully be okay. So yes- we do find it enjoyable. Easier than being at home too as we stay in hotels when abroad so there are other kids around; she feels being an only child much more keenly when at home. Fingers crossed this year will be a good break too.

I feel for you though. I'm one of 3 and remember the bickering being worse with siblings while away. I don't think holidays were especially relaxing for my parents either. How old are your kids? Have you said to them that it's everyone's holiday and that the moaning needs to stop? Can you all each choose one thing a day to make clear that it IS everyone's holiday whilst also letting the kids feel as if they've got a bit of control?

Sage I have the male version of yours.

We’ve travelled since he was 3 months and he’s ace at it.

We are on a mission to play Killer UNO in every country there is!

Just come back from second foreign holiday with 12 and 10 year old DS's three days ago. NEVER AGAIN. I'm going back to my holidays just with my partner. 12 yer old wasn't too bad but 10 year old made it almost hellish.

Nope we love them. Have done several different types but not done long haul yet.

Our favourites holidays are 3 weeks on the Atlantic coast in France. Rent a house. Beaches with fantastic waves. DSes get exhausted every day and sleep well. We play with them and take it in turns to relax and read.

We went away when DD1 was about 1, that was actually fine but she wasn't walking and it was only her.

But two young children, no way!!!! We went to Lisbon when DDs were 3 and 18 months. Oh god I still get shivers about it now 15 years on! I remember DD2 having a massive meltdown in the boarding queue, DD1 screamed as we were descending, and back then there was no tablets etc so keeping entertained was a nightmare, we stupidly didn't realise our balcony had a very low fence, it was blooming hot. We basically spent most of the time in the hotel, or we went to the beach in the evening when it wasn't as hot and the girls could play in the sand.

Thereafter until DD2 was 6 we didn't go abroad as a family, self catering in the UK, and actually people under-estimate how good UK holidays are. We made some wonderful memories and I know DDs look fondly on their time in the UK. And as someone mentioned above, if it all goes to shit, just drive home early.

Teenagers now, and we have had some lovely abroad holidays in the past few years but we still do a few UK holidays.

Hey all. I’m in a holiday rental I paid for and have had guests all week. It’s very un holiday like. Spending all my time cooking or worrying about people having a good time. My husband is spending all his time making big bbqs, building fires on the beach, taking people kayaking etc. And we simply NEVER get invited to their house. (My brother and his family). On the plus side my brother’s wife is lovely and it’s wonderful to see all the kids together. But it’s exhausting and my brother is very dour and not that nice. I feel guilty for feeling this way but it’s just not a holiday. I go back to work next week but my sis in law has the whole summer off as she is a teacher. They always talk about inviting us up but they say they are too busy when it comes down to
It. So we only see them at this holiday rental. And it’s now a habit. That we pay for. I have to pack up and clean the place tonight after they go and leave In The morning. It’s just not worth it but if I don’t do it next year I won’t see them and my elderly parents won’t get a break.

We've been on many holidays abroad with our two since toddlerhood, including skiing, and mostly they have been fine, with the odd hellish moment (eg dd aged about 2 screaming as we were stuck in a massive queue at an airport where we had to change flights - foolishly chose a cheaper route and never did that again - it felt like no one else was even speaking and I desperately hoped a hole would appear in the ground and swallow me up!)

We planned them very much around their needs though, so they've not necessarily been the kind of holiday I'd choose. TBH it got harder when they became teens and started refusing to go to activities or out for a day out. But we changed the type of holiday to make it easier.

Thankfully they are now old enough to be left at the accommodation while we do our own thing.....

PS should add, ours have never really got on with each other but they have more camaraderie on holidays.

Zombie thread from 2 years ago

Why did you receive this dead thread cats ? You can't complain when you're actively choosing to have a miserable time 'cooking and worrying about everyone else having a good time'. Stop martyring yourself.

I agree that holidays just aren’t very relaxing with a small child. It’s worth making the effort because it’s still nice on some level to get a change of scenery, but it’s not relaxing.

@thecatsmum12346

Hey all. I’m in a holiday rental I paid for and have had guests all week. It’s very un holiday like. Spending all my time cooking or worrying about people having a good time. My husband is spending all his time making big bbqs, building fires on the beach, taking people kayaking etc. And we simply NEVER get invited to their house. (My brother and his family). On the plus side my brother’s wife is lovely and it’s wonderful to see all the kids together. But it’s exhausting and my brother is very dour and not that nice. I feel guilty for feeling this way but it’s just not a holiday. I go back to work next week but my sis in law has the whole summer off as she is a teacher. They always talk about inviting us up but they say they are too busy when it comes down to It. So we only see them at this holiday rental. And it’s now a habit. That we pay for. I have to pack up and clean the place tonight after they go and leave In The morning. It’s just not worth it but if I don’t do it next year I won’t see them and my elderly parents won’t get a break.

Why did you drag up a thread from 2 years ago, so bloody annoying.

Lipz. U are easily annoyed.