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"I can remember how much I looked forward to my first holiday after Tom was born. I stared at the brochure and thought about long days in the sun. Looking back I can't believe how I managed to forget that Tom would be there and that his routine would carry on as normal whether we were in Spain or at home! I was so disappointed when I got there. Now I have a much more realistic view and we plan accordingly so everyone enjoys themselves at least some of the time."

Holidays can be fantastic, but, with a small child, a realistic outlook is essential! They will not be like your holidays before the arrival of your child!

It is hard to do, but if you plan for your children to enjoy the holiday as the top priority, you will find this is best for everyone…take it from someone who has tried it the other way round!!!

My General tips

Unless you and your travelling companions are very laid back individuals, a long journey to any location, with a small child can be a trial:

• It will take much longer than normal because their tolerance for travel will probably be far less than yours. You will get to know motorway services very well during the early years and plan for journeys to take twice as long as normal, then you may be pleasantly surprised;
• Airports are stressful places anyway, even without a small child who doesn't want to queue at the check-in or sit still for 2 hours+ on a plane.

Taking along realistic travelling companions can be a real godsend. Taking relaxed grandparents can really help share the burden and give everyone a break on the holiday itself. Alternatively, going with another family, with a similar outlook, can work really well.

Look out for destinations that advertise themselves as being family friendly. Many places now also run children's clubs and may even offer a crèche facility. One word of warning though, don't pin your hopes on lazing by the pool while your child's at the club. My son took one look at 'clubroom' and cried, he stayed for half an hour the whole fortnight we where there!

A TV in the property in always a good idea, a video an added bonus!

Staying in the UK

If you decide to stay in the UK, it is probably worth going somewhere with lots of amenities close at hand. Remote cottages can sound very romantic, but you may be happy to trade remoteness for a McDonalds after three days of rain.

Travelling in the UK can be hard work, especially at peak holiday times. Try splitting the journey with an overnight stay.

Travelling abroad

Be very careful about flight times, going and coming back. I can vividly remember a distraught family finding out that they where leaving to go home at 3.00am. OK if you can stay out partying but not so good with an eighteen-month-old child.

Try to find out as much as possible about what's there, local amenity wise I mean. I can remember getting very stressed when we went to Spain just worrying about where we would be able to buy fresh milk!

If possible don't book a deal where you don't know where you're going to stay until you get there. Again I can remember a colleague at work finding themselves in an apartment down a long lane that was unlit and without tarmac. Their holiday was spoilt because they couldn't push the baby's pram along the road.

Your Stories and Experiences

Hi, my travelling experiences abroad: I travelled to Lanzarote with my 5 month old baby, she decided just before we were due to travel that she didn't want me to breastfeed her anymore so I was left with the dilemma of having to take umpteen pieces of sterilising equipment. I would advice for anyone else in the same situation to take a small travel kettle in order to boil the water and to use evian bottled water (this was recommended to me by my health visitor). Plus, try to take as many nappies, formula and other paraphanalia you need because, as I discovered, its very expensive to buy the essentials abroad! Happy travelling!!

Helen

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