Timing of holiday with a 2 year old?

[trrk]

We were late booking our holiday this year and ended up paying too much for the flights and not having much choice of accommodation so we are going to be organised and book early for next year. Would you choose to go in mid-June when DD will be 23 months (technically wouldn't need her own seat but might be a good idea to buy one anyway for comfort?) or early Sept when she will be 26 months? I guess later she might be walking better and have better understanding of things but be more likely to be climbing out of her cot etc. I was also wondering about fitting in travel with toilet training since the summer when she's 2 is a logical time to try. Do we go on holiday early summer then start toilet training after the trip or try toilet training at the start of summer and hope she is dry during the day by the time we go in late summer? Wouldn't want to be carrying a potty everywhere on holiday and having accidents in restaurants. Anything else I should consider? It will be a 2 week holiday to a Greek island but eating out and travelling around by car rather than staying in a resort.

I honestly mean this really gently but I will sound like a bitch but... you're being mad. What month do you want to go on holiday? What month is the weather nicer where you want to go? Go then.

Nearly 2 and just turned 2 is... pretty much the same. The rate of change decreases. And potty training... it'll just happen, don't start worrying a year in advance.

We’ve just done potty training (26 months) and it’s gone well but I wouldn’t want to attempt a holiday in the next few months - it’s just an extra thing to always be aware of, not very relaxing!

I’ve read a few things on mn saying that airlines actually won’t let you book a seat for an under 2 (not sure how true it is, you’ll have to check).

They will, some you just have to call as they assume you won't want the seat.

But saying that, I do agree with pp not to worry about the timing too much.
Summer doesn’t really matter for potty training, my DS spent 2 days with no pants on, but you can just put the heating on!

Go earlier, save the money for a extra person and do a lovely excursion.

Thanks for the replies! I probably am overthinking it. We are happy with either time, just looking to go shoulder season when it's not quite as busy/hot as peak season. I prefer June as we went in June this year and I'll probably be desperate for a holiday by June next year but my DH prefers Sept as he thinks the weather is more reliable.

Any experiences on going away with an almost 2 year old as a lap infant for a 3-4 hr flight? It would definately be cheaper to go in June before she turns 2 but I'm not sue if it will be too uncomfortable. We were lucky this year to have an empty seat next to us both ways but that probably won't happen again.

I'd go in September, but just because I think that's a nicer time of year to travel.

23 Vs 26 months is really not going to make any difference (at least not a predictable one, who knows what might happen in a year's time!).

Unless she's actively asking for the potty before September then I'd potty train when you get back from holiday in September, she'll be a little older and it's still warm enough for no pants.

Having flown with 25 month old DS I would choose to go earlier so he could sit on my lap. The airline insisted he stayed in the seat, even though he was both tiny and tantrummed and refused to sit in the seat safely - going completely rigid and lying flat and sliding ‘though’ the belt so at one point during takeoff the belt was around his chest. I had to physically restrain him in the right position by pinning his hips to the seat, which in turn did my back in as I had to be twisted in my seat to do this. Never again!!! Very dangerous and airlines should allow under 3s on laps in my view. Even if you have to buy them a seat too.

We did it absolutely fine on a 10 hour flight! Honestly it's fine, take it in turns to have cuddles and naps and walk up and down the plane a few times

Go in June. Then you are all in a lovely Summer mood when you get back. My ds decided on holidays at 26 months he was no longer wearing nappies and literally ran around naked for two weeks. By the time we were coming home he was trained. Everything is so much easier in a sunny warm climate. We had a second baby by then, so having one out of nappies was a bonus. Remember that could happen too!!!
It's a lovely age to bring them on holidays as the sea is warm and they run in and out without shivering as they would here in lreland. Just enjoy it and don't expect any problems.

the extra seat is amazing, for that reason only I would say pay the extra or wait until you have to pay
that would make the big difference!!!
and on the nicest possible way, don’t potty train on the summer when you kid is 2 “because that’s when people tell you and makes sense”
potty train when your kid is ready!
we attempted training in the summer with a 2.5 yo, complete disaster, no stop accidents - no go! Tried again in the winter shortly after she was 3, dry in 3 days (during the day), no accidents after day 3, no need for potty after a week, went straight to toilet (with an adapter - travel ones also available)
take the potty training out of it, train when your kid is ready, may or not be at 2

I think go with what time of year you'd prefer. We've travelled abroad with my daughter at 15mo, 18mo, 22mo and 2yr 3mo and have all been amazing. We've paid for a seat each time as couldn't imagine keeping her on our lap but she's very lively.
With potty training, I wouldn't even consider it in the decision making at this point. I had an idea I'd do it at 2yr8mo over Easter. My daughter then started hating wearing nappies when she was 2yr4mo. We went with it even though the timing was awful and she potty trained within a couple of days. So whilst it's good to have an idea of when you might try, your daughter might have other ideas and definitely wouldn't plan a holiday around it. Have a fab time whatever you choose.