10 things parents wish they'd known before going on a family holiday
Life with children has a habit of throwing up unexpected hurdles – even on holiday.
“The beach is just around the next corner,” you reassure yourself as you struggle to keep control of the buggy laden with beach bags, while wiping the blinding mixture of sweat and suncream from your eyes.
But any relief is short-lived, as you turn the corner only to be greeted by an almighty flight of stairs down to the shore.
If there’s one thing having a baby teaches you, it’s that no matter how prepared you are, life has a way of throwing up unexpected difficulties – and even on holiday there is no escape from this reality.
With a baby or toddler in tow, vacations are never going to be the care-free escapades they once were, but there are steps you can take to keep hurdles to a minimum. Read on to learn from mums and dads who have been there and done it before.
Scope out the accommodation before booking
“My twins were 18 months on our first holiday and I emailed hotels ahead of booking to ensure I had a ground floor,” says Claire Roach, mum-of-five and founder of Money Saving Central. “We found some hotels would say they would 'try' to accommodate us so we only booked a hotel that could guarantee it.
“With my experience of lifts being tiny (and often broken) there was no way I could get four kids, two of which didn't walk, and myself up any steps safely. Especially after a few wines.”
Even tiny travellers require a room of their own
With the use of a travel cot young holidaymakers can often stay for free, but if you plan to spend evenings relaxing you will still want to make sure they have a room of their own.
“Ideally stay in a villa or a hotel room with a separate living area. Mainly so you don't have to sit in the dark when the baby has gone to bed,” advises Jenna Shea, mum-of-two.
Adjust your expectations
“Before I went on my first holiday with my first born (a camping trip in Wales, when he was four months old), I wish I'd known that you don't get a holiday from being a parent,” says Emma Fast-Field, mum-of-two and founder of Have Kids Will Travel.
“You need to do the same old things - nappy changes, night feeds, naps, all the snacks - you'll just be doing it in a different place (and possibly with jet lag thrown into the mix).
“The beauty of a family holiday with tinies lies in slowing down, switching off (especially digitally) and enjoying proper quality time together. There'll be time to show them the sights and wonders of the world when they're a little older and can take it in.”
Hire what you can’t carry
From buggies and car seats to travel cots, monitors and sterilisers, baby kit can be unwieldy to cart about - which is why there are companies located all over the world that will hire you baby products for the duration of your stay.
“We hired a steriliser and bottle machine and it was an absolute god send,” says mum-of-one Fiona Fraser, who recommends Hire4Baby which serves Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
“The company met us at the airport and gave us the baby seat, then met us at the hotel with the other equipment, it was pre-booked. Couldn't recommend enough. My baby was five-months so wasn't on solids yet.”
Blog Baby Can Travel has curated a handy directory of rental companies in different countries – these have not been vetted, so you may want to read reviews and check details such as whether they’ll deliver and collect the items from your accommodation/airport/station.
BYOB (Bring Your Own Bedding)
Betsan de Renesse, mum-of-two and co-founder of The Glow Method at Home, advises bringing your baby’s own sheet for the travel cot, “so their holiday bed smells like home”, as well as a travel blackout blind to help prevent early morning rising.
An addition to your liquids
Betsan also recommends bringing “a small washing up liquid (travel size or decant) to wash bottles if needed”. This will also come in handy for any babygrow stains that need attending to quickly.
Off-diary dining
Make your schedule work for you, even if that means eating when no one else is.
“As much as you can, plan your meals out around the best time for your baby or toddler and when they will be the least tired,” advises Claire Burgess, doddl family consultant. “Make it as easy as you can on yourselves, even if that means eating dinner at 4:30… you’re on holiday – who cares!”
Dine and dash
Too scared to eat out with your children in case they disturb other diners? Claire advises starting small and working up.
“It might be that you will just have a main course in the restaurant of your choosing and accept that is as much as you can do for this holiday,” she says. “You don’t have to miss dessert, you can always find an ice-cream on the way back home.”
Plus, if the only thing your toddler wants to eat is chips, so be it! “Be relaxed about what the kids eat – it's a holiday!” advises Kirsty Ketley, mum-of-two and founder of Auntie K’s childcare
Pack a secret weapon for tackling sand
“Take talcum powder to easily remove sand off skin, super helpful with nappies,” advises Kirsty.
Let The Little Things help on long journeys
Bracing yourself for a long drive with a child who hates being strapped in a car seat? Check out this previous issue of The Little Things for some tried and tested advice.
Can You Help With A Little Thing?
An upcoming issue of The Little Things will focus on starting school or nursery (or returning after a holiday). Have you found any little things that make the transition easier and less stressful for kids (and parents)? If so, please do let me know by replying to this email. Your advice could help make life easier for other mums and dads.
Little Lowdown
“I was so worried about them both… For the first time in my adult life, I felt like a child who didn't know what to do,” Elliott Rae spoke to Kirstie Brewer at the BBC about developing PTSD after the traumatic birth of his daughter. Elliott has published a book, Dad, in which he and 19 other fathers share their experiences.
“People are often worried about saying the wrong thing, yet saying nothing at all can do more damage,” explains Chloe Tear in this insightful piece on explaining disability to children on happiful.
Some countries now want evidence of vaccinations from holidaymakers. On HuffPost UK, Rachel Moss has investigated what that means for people travelling abroad with children this summer.
About Me
I’m Ellen Wallwork, a sleep-deprived mum-of-one, incessant worrier and freelance journalist. I’ve been writing about parenting for more years than I care to remember and previously launched the Parents section on HuffPost UK. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (but be warned, I’m not a prolific poster).
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Disclaimer: This newsletter does not provide medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The use of any information contained in this newsletter is solely at your own risk.