When the family holiday is no more?

[velvet24]

Soooo, our last family holiday was 2019, kids 15 and 18, probably same for others as Covid hit. Now forward to 2022 and I have a 21 year old and a 17 yr old, we are going on the postponed holidays but now with girlfriends and friends added, nice but not the same, not our little unit, our 'family' holiday.
We have had many fantastic hols as a family fo 4 , I'm part mixed with sadness that those are over, and partly looking forward to just dh and I, on post adult resorts perhaps?

Not sure what to do next year, do we ask the kids if they want to do a family holiday or just book dh and I?

Is it normal to be sad and happy about this at the same time? What are your experiences?

My DSC kept coming on holiday with us for ages!
Ask your kids if they want to come, or if they're not entirely keen maybe suggest a weekend away somewhere?
Depending on what they like, something like a city break might be more appealing?

We are the same, had a last family holiday abroad planned and covid hit and now we have an 18 and 20yr old. 18yr old happy to come with us if we go abroad but 20yr old not wanting to come.

I feel a bit sad that we were unable to go that last special holiday as a family of 4 but times change.

id still ask them if they want to come and leave it up to them.

Everyone is different ... personally I wouldn't want to include boyfriends/girlfriends but I have friends who do this and they seem to love having a big 'group' holiday. I just like a peaceful break - preferably without even my DH !

Yes im thinking a long family weekend away perhaps next year and then maybe dh and I can do another trip, for years I just planned and booked holidays now its all changed, have to sit down and ask them etc, I miss the old days !

I can't answer, as we're not at this stage yet, but I guess it depends in part on whether you'll be happy to leave a 16-year-old at home while you're away? Also whether your DC still want to come on holiday with you? You may find next year that your 22-year-old will be happy to do his own thing, but maybe the 16-year-old will want to come, depending on what you want to do. 16 is quite young to be home alone for a week or two.

I agree with you on slightly looking forward to being done with family holidays. My kids are younger than yours, but I'm finding that our holidays are having to change, because older DC want more independence and to spend part of every day on their screens, rather than being happy to go out and explore a new place. I've never been an AI hotel type of person, but I'm starting to think that we may have to consider that type of holiday, just so we can get away at all!

Oh I can relate to this so much. Yes it's normal I think. You can't help feeling upset even though you know it's normal and you have to let go. It signifies moving on and life never being the same again

My dc are now mid 20s so bit older than yours, and we've now had a few trips with their friends and partners and lots of coming and going at different times. After my initial reservations they have all been brilliant, great fun and I think good for us middle aged old gits to have young people with us, good distraction from the aches and pains and ailments And can't help feeling quite flattered and amazed they actually want to come with us! And now they're earning they actually pay for stuff occasionally!

Zafferana - my youngest is 17 but 18 in a few weeks not 16 :)

Not sure what to do next year, do we ask the kids if they want to do a family holiday or just book dh and I?

It would be very odd not to discuss it with them.

Oh will definitely do that, with eldest working and earning a good salary I guess I should ask for a contribution to the holiday if we all go? this is all new territory!

Similar here with 21 & 18. Big city break this year as missed our 5Oths and silver wedding in pandemic. After that it will just be us apart from maybe odd weekend away. Can’t wait!!