Having a hard time away - should we just come home?

[worrierneighbour]

At Centre Parks for the weekend and our 16 month old is again not sleeping. Still awake now, I've cried lots. 5 year old is moaning a lot and nothing we do is quick enough for her.

I think I want to give up and go home tomorrow a day early. Feel like a failure either way. I just wish he would sleep.

Personally I would

Cut your losses

It's a shame but it'll be easier when they're older

Can your other half take them out for a long walk / activity so you can catchup on a bit of sleep?

I remember doing CP at that age and it was a bit of a slog

Sometimes you have to try changing your way of thinking. If they’re not sleeping, play for a bit, let them crack on and try again when they’re ready. Sometimes it’s not worth the battle!

Will the 5 year be very disappointed if you go home early?

No definitely don’t, it’s only one day! Round off the holiday by doing something that will be fun but easygoing for you all. You already think of this as the holiday that didn’t work out but unfortunately most holidays with young kids will be as much tiredness and hard work as smiling fun moments! And cut yourself some slack and make sure you get some chilling time to yourself over the next few days whether there or at home and night or day. Enjoy op x

Divide and conquer would be my suggestion. Your DH takes the 5 year old from morning until after lunch then you swap. Their ages make it hard to do joint activities that are appropirate and fun for both.

The joys of being away with small children. Don't go home, suck it up and try and have a good last day.

I think I did about 72 hours straight at Centre Parcs once with a non sleeping baby DD, I feel your pain!

I might do the day as normal today, swimming etc and then come home late afternoon/early evening if it's not that far so you're all in your own beds tonight.

Are you there with another adult? Get them to take 5 yo to pool while you and baby potter and hopefully nap at some point today (or the other way around if you prefer). Don't cut it short, it'll be really sad for 5 yo

Thank you so much for the replies and kindness, this has been so helpful and lovely to read this morning, I really appreciate it.

I think divide and conquer might be the way, and maybe spend the day here and head back late this arvo.

Somehow doesn't feel so bad in the morning despite 2 hours sleep, but in the night I just fall to pieces, I really struggle, wish I didn't.

I am lucky to have husband who really wants to soothe baby, but baby will not be soothed. Thank you so much again. Really glad I posted actually.

Do they still have babysitting at CP? Could someone sit with the LO in your villa while you nap, and your DH takes 6 year old for a swim? Or club for 6 year old and DH takes LO?

Definitely don’t go home. You just need to manage expectations. A 16 month old and a 5 year old are never going to enjoy similar things on holiday. You each have to take one for the day. Meet up for dinner and bedtime. If you really can’t cope, one of you goes home and the other can stay on with your 5 year old who shouldn’t miss out.

Ours have a slightly bigger age gap and we actually quite regularly take separate holidays with them (not only for this reason) so that we aren’t constantly dragging the other along to something that isn’t really suitable. It works really well and we’ve had some amazing adventures. I took each of them away alone at 5 for their first big holiday and even years later, that is the holiday they talk about the most.

For now, you each take one, lots of calpol as necessary and make the most of your day.

Letting dc's behaviour dictate your holidays? Obviously not.

Last swim of the day.. Pj's on. Walk round the park. Back to bedtime..
Dd needs to be told no messing about or no swimming tomorrow... Calpol for the baby and window open to help breathing..