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Parenting

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Original poster

Holidaying with 2 year old and 5 month old

16 replies

FingersXssd83 · 15/03/2022 07:12

We're thinking of taking our first overseas holiday when our two little ones will be 2 and 5 months in September.

We might be mad attempting this but we could really do with a change of scenery.

What type of holiday would you recommend and where would you go?

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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MsTSwift · 15/03/2022 07:23

Mad. Devon? We love travel but stayed in uk when they that age. I flew back from France last weekend plane couldn’t land despite several attempts diverted to airport 3 hours away and passengers abandoned there in middle of night all hotels full. It was horrible for adults with babies that age - can’t even contemplate.

yoshiblue · 15/03/2022 07:36

From someone who took a baby to Munich on a city break at 6 months old - I wouldn't bother with abroad but stay in the UK.

Personally I'm not one for UK beaches. We tend to stay either in The Lakes or other area and do National Trust day trips. If you go away as soon as the kids go back to school, you should have good weather.

MsTSwift · 15/03/2022 07:38

When ours that though younger about 10
months my parents kindly had them for 2 nights and we spent whole holiday budget on lovely posh spa hotel 30 miles away.

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yikesanotherbooboo · 15/03/2022 07:40

We self catered in France when ours were that age. Day trips, seaside, some meals out and some in.My experience of babies of that age is that they are easy to travel with.Toddlers need a little more thought and I wouldn't risk a private swimming pool although visits to pools are of course fun.

GrendelsGrandma · 15/03/2022 07:47

Honestly a couple of hours from your house and easy entertainment is what you want at that age. They often sleep worse when away, unfortunately!

catchingzzzeds · 15/03/2022 07:49

I think it depends on your children. We went to France when DS1 was a baby. He was a nightmare and we gave up and came home. DS2 was an easy baby and took him everywhere and was no bother at all.

AliceW89 · 15/03/2022 08:07

Is DC2 even born yet? 😬 Respect to you - I’d stay in the UK, but agree with others…Something like a static caravan in a eurocamp resort in France might be good, especially if you are close to the South Coast and can hop on a boat easily enough. You can get to some good ones in only a few hours drive from the main French ports.

brokengoalposts · 15/03/2022 08:16

I took both of mine abroad under 1 year old. I thought it was fine. I took some essentials and then bought a lot at supermarkets there. People have babies abroad, so everywhere is fully stocked with what you need. Buy a sun proof fisherman's tent for poolside for baby.

Footballsundays6777 · 15/03/2022 08:22

Sounds good to me OP…. We are currently abroad with our DC, eldest is a bit older but first went away with the youngest when she was 7 weeks old and the eldest was 3.5 years. It went just fine!

Personally I’d go for all inclusive, a family room
With a divider in the middle so that whilst the kids are napping you can have some relaxing adult time.

Or you go for an all inclusive that have apartment style rooms so you can relax in the living room bit of it.

I’d go for a “family” hotel as the facilities are amazing and they have most things you need for a family holiday.

Go for it!!

nearlyspringyay · 15/03/2022 08:43

I'd go to France, static caravan so you at least have the facilities of a pool (I wouldn't want a villa with pool at that age, it would scare me. Pay extra for a bigger van for more space and a terrace so you can sit out in the evening.

pradavilla · 15/03/2022 08:53

A holiday in the sun. The pool/beach will entertain the 2yr old. Get hotel or apartment that preferably has play park and kids mini disco at night. Baby shld be fairly easy (well depends on the baby) and will sleep a lot with the heat. Make sure u get a sun proof cover for the pram/buggy.

We took our first away when she was 6months old but she was a great baby. Also had her away when she was 2 and she loved the pool, park and mini disco. Also went to beach a few times and she loved that.

We r going in summer with now 5yr old and 2yr old. 5yr old will be great but I'm not sure about our crazy, hard work 2yr old 🤣

user1497787065 · 15/03/2022 09:06

We went to Crete when ours were similar ages. We stayed in a very small hotel in a ground floor room with a large patio area so we were still able to enjoy the sun when the children were napping.

Also in a small hotel they will usually provide anything extra or alternative you may like for the children.

We would still be up early, have breakfast, a dip in the pool for the children before their naps, lunch, pool and play time, usually a second nap for the youngest, bath, out for
Supper and then bed.

When eating out we ordered a main course for the children to come at the same time as our starter and they would have a pudding when we had our main. Probably tiresome for the staff but it worked well for us for years.

Also again in Greece they would provide half portion sizes of any main course at half the price rather than the usual children's menu offering. Again we would eat early at night and enjoy sitting out reading, playing cards and the odd glass of wine whilst the children slept.

Yes it is a different kind of holiday to pre children but it can still be enjoyable.

Pear21 · 15/03/2022 14:38

It will still be enjoyable. Maybe somewhere like Majorca? Nice hotel with a kids pool, close to town for change of scene and restaurants etc. just check the temperature when you’re going. We learnt the hard way not to rely on the pool to cool them down in the hot sun the water was often too cold. Enjoy!

Franklin12 · 15/03/2022 14:41

I definitely wouldn’t stay in UK. Say it rained every day. What about Italy? The Italians love children. We had fab holidays there when our children were this young.

timestheyarechanging · 15/03/2022 16:18

I did it all and it was fine. dd1 six weeks old to see dying great grandma in Ireland ( long drive to wales then ferry crossing).
Canada when DD was 18 months, no problem at all.
USA when they were 6yrs and 10 months - hurricane messed that up!.

shivawn · 15/03/2022 20:09

I went to Mexico with my baby at 3 months, it was brilliant because he used to just sleep anywhere at that age so he had his naps on the go.

Now he is almost 5 months old and on a 4 naps a day schedule which need to take place in a quiet dark room because he is too alert and curious to nap in noisy restaurants now. I only have a 2 hour window between naps to get out and do anything as well as feed him. All depends on the baby but I couldn't have much of a holiday with him at this age!

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