On holiday with 4month old. Regrets. Is this litterally my life forever now.

[meagain3]

Thought it would be a great idea and a bit of a break for me when in laws recommended a family holiday with our 4month baby. We don’t see them often. DS is just so unsettled here and I’m loosing the wheel to live. He’s been whinging all day. There all having a great time in the pool/reading books. I’m inside rocking baby to settle him. (Have been now for a few hours!) no one’s came to check on me.

I did say I was hesitant and worried to take him abroad as he’s hard enough at home. They said they’d be great help and I’d get some time out of parenting while they have him.

obviously I know it’s my child and responsibility but wish I’d just stayed home now! I never want to go abroad again now I’m a parent!

I've read time and again that a holiday abroad ir otherwise is a baby is just parenting in the heat. At 4 months my baby certainly didn't have a firm routine, and took til he was down to one nap really when he was about 1 years old to get a routine together. Just take it as a learning curve that 4 months is too young for a holiday of that sort and enjoy them when he's older, might have been easier if people helped out but he'd still not he happy by the sounds of it, he's a grizzly 4 month old is all. Months change so much at that age, its crazy how different it'll be in a few short months.

Hope the rest of the holiday is OK 👍

Get everyone to help you! Tell them it was their idea, that you care for the baby at home everyday and holidays are for being helped.

I’m afraid I agree that holidays with babies and preschoolers are same shit different location. Once they get to school age it’ll be fun for everyone, it’s fun for the kids because they are old enough to appreciate a change of scenery and activities. It’s also more fun for you and part of the reason for that is because you’re used to it and you know by then to pick holidays that suit the kids.

It gets better, you’ll have lower expectations next time, everyone does this kind of thing with a first baby. I remember taking ds1 to an air show (with ear defenders) and it was more exhausting than being at home 🤣🤣

I agree with the same shit different place comment. This is why we don’t bother going abroad or even on holiday anymore. Going to wait till our youngest is 3/4 so we can actually have some kind of semblance of a holiday. It’s just pissing money up the wall & kids don’t care where they are. A holiday now is a day off when the kids are in nursery! Otherwise it’s just the usual parental labour.

All inclusive can work as Atleast you don’t have to cook. But can be exhausting for kids who don’t like a change of routine with new people around everyday. But they do get in the swing of things after a few days. They have longer naps and hopefully you can also have some naps with them, and just relax the routine as much as you can e.g. later bedtime so you can sit up and have a meal. You could go for walks with baby in the carrier to get them off to sleep vs rocking them in a room. Just put them down to bed once they’re asleep.., I’m sure things will improve in a day or so.

You're probably in shock because this is the first holiday post baby, and you’ve realised how much your life has changed and therefore how holidays won’t be the same as they were. But just lower your expectations and just see it as life at home but with the nice weather. Baby will likely want to be with you still most of the time as they’re only 4 months old. But get other people to do the other stuff like cooking meals, bringing you drinks, taking baby for a walk in the pram so you can have a chill. Really hope things perk up for you - I’m sure they will. Honestly I’ve been there.

I didn't mean pull yourself together 🙄

Fucking hate holidays with baby. Tried it. Never again.

But I have a terrible sleeper. It's very difficult to enjoy a holiday when I've spent the last 11 months being woken up 2-12 times a night. I'd rather be home, thanks.

And my family are very helpful but my baby gets so unsettled, he rejects all of them anyway.

DH and I used to travel loads before baby.

I don't think we'll go on another holiday until he's at least 3.

I bet that DH had a leisurely drive, stopped off en route for a long lunch and a stroll, then rocked up, announced he was “exhausted” and took himself off for a nap!!