On holiday with 4yo and it’s awful - is this normal??

[SatelliteFish]

On holiday with 4yo DD and it’s awful.

She’s loving the fun bits, but if she’s not eating ice cream, swimming, bouncing on a bouncy castle etc she’s having a meltdown, mis-behaving or moaning. Won’t eat a single meal nicely, won’t go to bed nicely, won’t do anything nicely unless it’s a fun activity.

Epic (and I mean epic) meltdown today because I wouldn’t buy her a lollipop because her behaviour had been terrible. I said no and explained why & stuck to my guns. I do try to be strict and have some discipline but just feel like a failure.

It’s our first holiday abroad (Europe) due to Covid and DH and I are seriously thinking it will be our last. It’s not enjoyable. I’m looking at flights to leave early.

We’ve looked forward to this holiday for literally years, saved up etc and after this week it’s back to work / grindstone for the next year.

Is this normal? What age do holidays with kids get better??

Please no sarcastic comments. I’m sat here on my hard-earned holiday (first In four years) in tears. If you don’t have any supportive words please kindly pass by this thread.

Oh and DD doesn’t have any additional needs as far as we are aware.

She attends a very good pre-school and they speak very highly of her.

No, I'm saying the temperament and personality of a child isn't caused by your parenting skills. You can be a 'good' parent and have a child who has difficult tendencies.

@WishingWell5

Exactly. Sounds like she has one calm kid and she’s patted herself on the back for being mother of the year.

Anyone with more than one child is likely to notice that they are different from one another. Which suggests various variables impact behaviour.

I know this is an old thread, I found it from a Google search because, you can probably guess, I’m on holiday with a nightmare 4 year old. I’d love to know if the OP‘s holidays have got better over the last 18 months.

@LexCake Hey, thought I would respond as just cone back from a week, with two kids aged 8 and 4. As a single parent I was so worried, but turned out great. Didn’t really do any exploring, and not the holiday I have had before kids, but it was sunny and warm.

We spent the majority of our time on the beach or by the splash pool as they could go in without me. The tricky bits were mornings as they were up so early and two hours before breakfast opened. Bought breakfast most mornings and then they had a second one when it opened.

It was likely easier as I have two who play together, but did meet two other mums in their own and we spent time at the pool and the kids played.

Are there any kids clubs so you can get an hour to yourself?

I found myself asleep before 9pm every night as there was nothing for me to do other than read I did come back rested though 🤣

I’m having the same issues with my five-year-old daughter I paid for this holiday with my heart and money and she is spoiling it. She has got everything she has asked for on this holiday and when I try to have a little time to myself she is screaming and having terrible meltdowns. I am also looking for flights straight back home because I can’t stop crying.