Holidaying with little ones

Holidaying with children under a certain age can be a difficult task for any parents but I’ve compiled a list of little hints an tips  by no means is this the right way but I’d thought I’d share our experiences.

Our two are nearly 3 & nearly 1!

So the airport is a nightmare even our eldest said so herself (which made me laugh- travelling with two bambino’s is 100 x more stressful than just the one)

Anyway we got extra baggage allowance to check in - therefore not taking extra hand luggage well that was the plan) We still had a double pram, baby carrier, my hand bag, Lee’s “man bag” and Doll’s backpack - which she obviously didn’t want to carry. So after the carry on of getting 2 out of the 3 bags, Lee & Doll searched an drug swabbed we were all set to get to the nearest bar!! 

Two pints of your finest please barmaid! Drink them quickly as both babies will not want to sit for long also feed them in the airport, and get snacks an butties from boots before hand because well no one likes plane food especially toddlers. Maybe try an alter nap time so they can sleep on the plane. (Although only the baby slept). We also pre booked seats together not having the added hassle of asking people to swap (we have done in the past an it’s a pain I couldn’t imagine having to do it with two babies).

This is the first time I had not breastfed Doll (our eldest on a flight) - I was apprehensive to say the least (about her ears popping) as she doesn’t have a dummy but ear plugs work a treat also get them to pop their ears if you can. Winnie fed for 4.5 hours straight boobs are boss but I was completely drained when we got off the flight. 

Entertainment is a difficult for a start but colouring in books, a couple of their fave story books an let’s not forget to load that iPad up and finger cross they sleep for a little while.

Back to the stress of luggage collection we find it better if one parent holds the babies the other one locates the luggage an most importantly the pram. Also we just buy a cheap buggy for going away because you don’t want your lovely pram ruined by baggage handlers.

Back to the hotel girls in bed & a few bevs on the balcony. I’m not into leaving our girls with anyone (ie a paid babysitter) or leaving them alone in a foreign country. But each to their own...

So the kids are in a room with us I wouldn’t have it any other way! But holiday romance goes out the window with two littles in the room! That’s were the afternoon naps come in! (Anyone with little ones will know exactly what I mean ...) We always put the girls in the room for their afternoon naps because your out later an bedtime routines goes to pot when your on your holls. 

We have also brought lots of food from home as again toddlers are fussy -

(We are self catering). An our baby is allergic to loads!! But bringing little treats & snacks can really help if you just want five mins of peace on this holiday! Load up the fridge with nice holiday food it’s also perfect for picnics at the waterpark / days at the beach when you don’t wanna eat full meals (we actually took a cooler bag with us aswell - sad I know but boss to keep all our snacks an of course beers nice an cool there’s nothing worse than warm beer).

You have probably noticed the snack theme but it’s essential when you’ve got kids ...

Keeping them entertained can be a difficult one especially if the pool is Baltic the baby has zero interest in going in to it. We brought a lot of pool equipment with us such as blow up floats for the baby’s & Dolls swim Finn. But we also done two days at the water park and a monkey park  which was amazing an found a outdoor play area for the nighttime with the girls, because they aren’t in their normal surroundings they act differently get bored quicker (as probably bored of you as their not mixing with their family or friends).

The beach we go at least once every time we are away as an “experience” for the girls but it is absolute chaos when we go. We look like the clampits covered in sand... sand everywhere including eyes an mouths there lots of tears about everything then tears because they don’t want to leave I haven’t got any tips on going the beach I just wanted to reassure people your not alone if you are like us! However you always see lovely instagram pictures of family on the beach. I’m no photographer but I do love a good picture but I cannot get one on the beach!

That brings me on to my next subject photos I got myself a go pro camera (waterproof case) most amazing purchase I’ve ever made would highly recommend (I wish I’d got it sooner for previous holidays) you can get videos in the pool/ sea and take loads of little action photos ... I literally got loads in the sea an at the water park! I didn’t get the accessories (ie head an body set) purely because I didn’t wanna look like a wolly! 

That might of just topped the clampit look right off oh an Lee got a straw cowboy hat  <<< which he insisted on wearing absolute Dad behaviour!! 

We also got a VTIN speaker for our little balcony parties well worth it! Invest in one as its 100% necessary well it is if you plan on enjoying a few child free hours at night.

Just want to revisit about breastfeeding on holiday I have fed Winnie non stop for a week she’s took minimal other fluids which  is fine by me. But I’ve never had as many looks or tuts in my life. But I really couldn’t give a hoot. Does feeding my baby offend you? But you quite happily walk past topless ladies? Don’t worry love you husband will not be attracted to my milk filled breasts (to be fair I don’t think my husband is either ...) so could u please just move along (before I squirt you with my other boob) nothing to see here just a mama feeding her baby! 

So all in all it was the best holiday of our lives we enjoyed every moment personally I wouldn’t go away (on a plane or for a weekend without my girls that’s just my personal choice I’m not judging if anyone does- we do have nights out like) it’s just because they are only little for such a short period of time we want to saviour every second! But I couldn’t recommend Tenerife more it was so child friendly. Yeah travelling with kids is stressful but I would do it every other week if we could, making memories that last a lifetime.

Insta -@thedrapergirls