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MNHQ

Tell Asda about how your holidays have changed now you have children - £300 voucher to be won!NOW CLOSED

302 replies

JustineBMumsnet · 27/04/2017 11:02

Holidays can be a great way to recharge your batteries. However, holidaying with children in tow may be a far cry from the relaxing breaks you were used to before they came along.

Asda would like to hear about your holidays have changed since having children.

Are journeys that were once the exciting beginning of your trip now a time where you have to juggle loads of luggage and the dreaded “are we there yet” chorus from your DC? Maybe you’ve swapped your previous adventurous treks with more relaxing destinations or now consider the holidays you used to enjoy overrated? Perhaps your priorities when choosing a destination or accommodation have completely changed to encompass your children’s needs and entertainment?

Tell Asda about the ways your holidays have changed since you’ve had children by posting on the thread below. All who post will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 Asda voucher.

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

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Tell Asda about how your holidays have changed now you have children - £300 voucher to be won!NOW CLOSED
OP posts:
Pimmpom · 03/05/2017 11:52

Now they are getting older it is becoming more relaxing. I choose All Inclusive as I find it easier but this is not what I would choose if holidaying without children.

Badumchhhhh · 03/05/2017 12:53

Focus is now on how much there is to do, and how stressful the travel is.

With 3 small DC, sitting around isn't an option. So we look for lots of space, preferably not crowded, and places to stop en route.
We prefer to self cater and drive, UK or Europe. Eating out is usually too stressful, we picnic a lot.
In the past we had lazy sun lounger holidays, can't imagine doing that or getting children on an plane any time in the next 5 years

Nula12 · 03/05/2017 13:08

Before DD we stuck to mainly sunny beach holidays and city breaks.

Our first holiday as parents was a three night stay at a lovely hotel when DD was 10 months old. Since then we have travelled all over including abroad and Canada. We've done everything from a few days camping 20 miles from home to staying in nice hotels depending on money and time. What we have found is that as long as we are together we have a blast.

So I can say that our holidays have gotten better! We are more relaxed as you never know what is going to happen when you have little people with you x

InvisibleKittenAttack · 03/05/2017 13:29

Another thought, before DCs, DH and I could do our own thing on holidays, and even with 1 DC, we could both carve out time to have some time away to do what we wanted - but with 2 young DCs who aren't confident swimmers, it's not really fair to leave one parent at the beach/pool with the DCs and go off for a day - couple of hours is really the max time to do that. Hopefully when they are older we'll be able to go back to doing our own thing for a day or 2 on holiday.

magolin · 03/05/2017 14:11

Holidays have become less fun in some ways, and when my child was very young I definitely got more of a break by staying at home!

UpOnDown · 03/05/2017 16:23

They are much less laid back now!

CormorantDevouringTime · 03/05/2017 16:51

For us holidays are now dominated by sleeping arrangements. I'm happy to share a room with my DC for a one-night stay on the way to somewhere else, at a theme park or while attending a wedding, but if I'm spending a week that's billed as an actual "holiday" then I insist on a separate room for me and DH.

So that means a self-catering cottage, an apartment or a villa. If we're staying somewhere where we do want a hotel then I have to resign myself to hours spent looking for somewhere with connecting rooms or an affordable suite. I would happily give lots of money to a hotel booking website that allowed me to search for these relatively reasonable requests.

GeekyWombat · 03/05/2017 17:24

I never used spreadsheets to plan my holidays before. Also I used to come back feeling less exhausted than when I left!

That said, I wouldn't swap it for the world. We're currently at Center Parcs with two DCs under three and having a ball (although roll on kids bedtime so we can have wine and DVDs!)

ClodTheGoat · 03/05/2017 18:43

I wouldn't consider going abroad with a two year old. So I've swapped all inclusive beach holidays in majorca for caravan breaks an hour's car ride from home.

It's the idea of waiting around, wrangling toddler on plane, risk of sunburn, having to pack LOADS, marble flooring, balconies etc. Plus am single parent so it'd all be down to me.

I'll probably consider foreign trips when he's old enough to enjoy kids clubs. Dunno when that might be...

Chiddles09 · 03/05/2017 19:29

Cost is more of a consideration, because if having to go in the school holidays.

Before, holidays would largely be about relaxing, reading and taking it easy. Now, I think about what activities will be on holiday and what the children may like to see.

digigray1 · 03/05/2017 19:50

We still go camping under canvas in the U.K. But rather then spending money on stuff we don't need we use it to take our kids to different attractions

Potterymum · 03/05/2017 20:21

Well out baby is 15 months old. We use to manage a weekend away once a year but so far we haven't managed any other than for work (both self employed ).

Maiyakat · 03/05/2017 20:47

No long hall flights, no lie-ins, no walking along the beach looking at the stars. Lots of laughs, lots of digging on the beach, one incident of being traumatised by seeing a sheep give birth (DD not me!)

Whyisitsodifficult · 03/05/2017 21:34

Now it costs a fortune with three kids to go away, not as relaxing being able to lie back and read a book as always need an eye on them. Forever being asked for a snack or a drink! Battling to get sunscreen on them. Later nights lead to grumpy daytimes! Hmm pre-children holidays we didn't know we were born did we!!

Closedenv · 03/05/2017 23:29

Changed in that they cost more due to school holidays but more interesting as we always link to things they are learning or have been learning. When they were younger a holiday in London would include a trip to the National Gallery and the British Museum/war museum. Now they are learning languages and enjoying doing it we are holidaying in France etc more to give them the experience of seeing, hearing, etc. Of course we have lots of time packed in for just plain family fun but these give added bonuses which we all really enjoy together.

peaceloveandbiscuits · 04/05/2017 00:46

They've stopped. Next question?

BeeMyBaby · 04/05/2017 05:59

I used to go to various tourist destinations, but funds are more limited now and as there are a few of us the cost of flights alone is much much higher so we tend to only visit the in laws now in North Africa and all the other tourist options are off the list .

Snog · 04/05/2017 07:57

A swimming pool has become an absolute necessity for any holiday or weekend break since I had my dd!
And while she was young I found self catering holidays to be ideal whereas before kids I would never have considered self catering.
I have planned a fair few holidays and weekends around Child friendly places I can get vouchers for free entry to!

tabbaz123 · 04/05/2017 09:14

I think the biggest factor is not just how they have changed in planning and preparation and booking but in LOCATION - places that you go to as an adult couple are often extremely different to chosen family locations. I take my children to as many different places as possible but certainly there are places I would never consider going to with children.

HalimaB · 04/05/2017 11:10

Have not been on holiday since the kids came along. Its been 4 years! We tend to stay within the UK now as oppose to flying out to international destinations. Holidays are not as laid back as they uaed to be you need to find something to occupy the kids mainly more than yourself or your partner. Its all about good quality family time now

wondermoose · 04/05/2017 13:14

The main way they have changed is having to cater for multiple food allergies! It's virtually impossible to get reliable food allergy information when you don't speak the language fluently
Also there's none of the nice relaxing by the pool, dozing in the sun 😂 it's all being climbed on and planning as many activities in the shade as humanly possible

H007 · 04/05/2017 13:36

It's gone from throwing a few things in a bag to take 10 bags and the kitchen sink. It's gone from travelling abroad to short and sweet trips in the UK

Ogochukwu27 · 04/05/2017 14:07

No more spontaneous holidays. Now we have to plan ahead and let's not talk about meals.

annarack99 · 04/05/2017 14:34

We are still cruising now we have children as it works out as an easy and fun family holiday. All sharing one room has it's challenges though and our evenings have been curtailed. We love still being able to travel though and introducing them to new experiences is a great part of this.

BigGreenOlives · 04/05/2017 17:36

We used to go to lovely exotic places in the winter to get some sun - now we have to stay at home as our children are teens and have exams. I am so looking forward to when they are all at uni or working and I can go away again in the winter.

Going on city breaks was another thing I really enjoyed but there is never time - someone always has a rehearsal or an exam plus of course they can't take a Friday afternoon off.

When the children were much younger we didn't go away one summer as it didn't seem worth it - too much effort and not enough fun. I don't really enjoy self-catering as it seems like home but without the comforts.

Boy I seem spoilt & miserable!