Have you taken young kids abroad?

**BigTime** · 21 May 2012, 08:28

Rent a villa, book flights and hire car. Simples

**doomage** · 21 May 2012, 08:37

Originally posted by scooby View Post

No, not a Missing McCann thread (IMO she did it!), but have you taken young children on holiday (flights etc)? The wife is a little off the idea as the kids on a flight for up to 4hrs is not something she fancies. Kids are 3 & 5.

Also, having a 16yr old lad, we dont really want to do a package holiday where we are all in the same room...

We're just struggling to see why you'd pay so much when we can drive down to france with regular breaks etc and stay in a cottage.

Have been back to NZ a couple of times, last time the little 'uns were 2 & 4. So that's about 22hrs on the plane, 2x11 hour trips basically.

4 hours is nothing. Take a late flight, hopefully they'll sleep. Boredom is the killer, you need to be organised with lot's of things for them to do if you can. On decent long-haul there should be films for them etc.

Stressful times can be good for family bonding

**oracleslave** · 21 May 2012, 08:40

Originally posted by scooby View Post

No, not a Missing McCann thread (IMO she did it!), but have you taken young children on holiday (flights etc)? The wife is a little off the idea as the kids on a flight for up to 4hrs is not something she fancies. Kids are 3 & 5.

Also, having a 16yr old lad, we dont really want to do a package holiday where we are all in the same room...

We're just struggling to see why you'd pay so much when we can drive down to france with regular breaks etc and stay in a cottage.

IMHO if you are scared of a 3 and 5 year old's reaction to a 4 hour flight you have other issues that need addressing.

**oscarose** · 21 May 2012, 08:42

Don’t go out drinking and leave them alone.

HTH

**ChimpMaster** · 21 May 2012, 08:47

Originally posted by scooby View Post

No, not a Missing McCann thread (IMO she did it!), but have you taken young children on holiday (flights etc)? The wife is a little off the idea as the kids on a flight for up to 4hrs is not something she fancies. Kids are 3 & 5.

Also, having a 16yr old lad, we dont really want to do a package holiday where we are all in the same room...

We're just struggling to see why you'd pay so much when we can drive down to france with regular breaks etc and stay in a cottage.

I hate flying with a passion, but sometimes you've just got to get on with it otherwise you end up missing out on experiences.

We had more trouble when our kids were babies. Now that they are 3 and 5 it's relatively easy: just keep them busy with the ipad (movies etc) or drawing, colouring etc. We went on a 5 hour flight and it was OK... they got bored after about 3 hours but didn't really kick up a stink. Holiday was well worth it.

**pmeswani** · 21 May 2012, 08:47

Originally posted by scooby View Post

No, not a Missing McCann thread (IMO she did it!), but have you taken young children on holiday (flights etc)? The wife is a little off the idea as the kids on a flight for up to 4hrs is not something she fancies. Kids are 3 & 5.

Also, having a 16yr old lad, we dont really want to do a package holiday where we are all in the same room...

We're just struggling to see why you'd pay so much when we can drive down to france with regular breaks etc and stay in a cottage.

I would suggest going on a cruise, but that is probably more of a hassle than what it is worth.

**NorthWestPerm2Contr** · 21 May 2012, 08:54

Originally posted by pmeswani View Post

I would suggest going on a cruise, but that is probably more of a hassle than what it is worth.

So what your saying is you would not suggest going on a cruise...

**EternalOptimist** · 21 May 2012, 08:55

never taken them on a flight, but I have taken them on long car journeys (8 hours).
I normally set off at about 3am, this avoids any traffic problems, and the kids sleep through. I took them down to Devon and they were amazed how close it was to Manchester, only 5 minutes away

It is a full time job to keep them entertained though.
This year I am trying something different, a week in Centre Parcs for about 2k

**scooby** · 21 May 2012, 08:56

Originally posted by oracleslave View Post

IMHO if you are scared of a 3 and 5 year old's reaction to a 4 hour flight you have other issues that need addressing.

Such as? Do feel free to expand...

Have you taken young kids abroad?