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Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

Lone parents

Do you ever wonder? .....

19 replies

Rewy · 03/08/2015 11:38

Why you bother?
I work part time and have booked the week off so I can do things with dc. Day one today and they have just argued (as usual ) and I have lost my temper. I can't afford a holiday and yet it seems the world and his wife are going away. My youngest makes me feel so guilty about it. Despite me explaining why we can't go on holiday. Days out are just as expensive. I'm struggling try think of ideas of things to do. Why do they make me feel so shit ? I try but its obviously not good enough. Now I've shouted and noone is speaking to anyone. Wish I hadn't wasted my time by booking the week off.
What do other people do with a 9 and 14 year old?

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cestlavielife · 03/08/2015 13:55

local free and cheap activities? try sports centres libraries etc?
go way for one night cheap to a premier inn or travelodge
family rail card for cheap tickets and two-for-one deals
camping?

giantpurplepeopleeater · 03/08/2015 16:16

I think every parent has those days at one point or another. I tried to take DS for a nice afternoon at the local country fair at the weekend, but he spent the entire time getting stroppy or screeching (he's 4) because he couldn't do exactly as he wanted. I took him home early in the end!!

Not sure where you are, but round here there are a lot of outdoor activities that are relatively cheap.

Fayre's and fete's, the forest rangers put on trails, local nature reserve rangers do group activities etc all for a couple of quid. The council put on some free/ cheap activities at the sports centre and in the park.

I have little experience with older children I'm afraid, but some of these can be good for them. The rangers do an afternoon on 'survival techniques' which I think looks good, and the sports centre ar doing a 5 a side competition.

If you look on some voucher websites you might be able to find some money off vouchers

Dailylurker · 03/08/2015 16:25

Apparently Wednesday is 'national play day' so there are loads of free activities across the country, I've just googled and found a local park that has organised events for 1-19 year olds... Might be worth looking at!

I do feel your pain, I have 15 & 16 year old boys and a nearly 2 year old and it just ends up hard work trying to find cheap fun activities, it's like businesses don't want families to do things as I feel completely priced out of the market at the moment. Being skint sucks!

FortyCoats · 03/08/2015 16:26

Boys or girls?
What's local?
What's your budget?
Have you a car?

Rewy · 03/08/2015 17:58

Two girls
Because of the age gaps its hard to find something to suit both.
I drive but am not confident driver .
Budget is as little as possible.
We have planned to do a safari park one day and lunch and a funfair another day.

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Rewy · 03/08/2015 17:59

Thanks for the replies btw

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Rewy · 03/08/2015 18:00

We usually end up doing lots of parks, forest, country parks but they get bored of that .

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Iwantobreakfree · 03/08/2015 18:05

I feel your pain,I'm putting myself into debt trying to make these holidays great for my girls and I'm getting little appreciation for it,the rubbish weather really isn't helping

FortyCoats · 03/08/2015 18:14

Safari and funfair sound great. I also really like DL's idea. You should google to see if there's anything local happening.

PP mentioned camping. It's bit everyone's cup of tea but it can be a lot of fun and a great bonding time. it's cheap but only if you already have the equipment or can borrow it.

What about a girlie pamper day/night? Feel good music, face masks, mani/pedi, crazy makeup and loads of selfies, dress up (I know it sounds juvenile but actually a lot of fun if you let out your inner child )

Cooking/baking

Another weird one - fishing. I know, I know, not really a 14yo's dream day out but plenty of fun to be had and Argos do rod kits for 10 quid.

Rewy · 04/08/2015 00:37

Thankyou for all suggestions.
I did google but so many things are just aimed at very young children.
Camping would be my idea of hell and no equipment.
Girlie pamper night sounds great idea .
We would all hate fishing he he

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starlight2007 · 04/08/2015 07:48

have you tried looking on groupon? There are all sorts of activites at half the price.

LineRunner · 04/08/2015 07:53

I remember once one summer leaving the older DC to do something with her friends, and going out for a picnic on the beach with the younger DC. We saw some local sights and just talked, really.

sandgrown · 04/08/2015 07:58

Pamper day can be cheap if you go to the pound shop for stuff. Any free museums by you? A small pottery near us does a pottery day where you make and paint your own pot. My DD loved window shopping when she was a teenager. She just got to buy a small item like earrings and we treated ourselves to a posh coffee. Can you get any cheap boxed sets of the American teen type series. I know it can be hell in the hols. I can't get DS out of his room. I may as well be at work!

Rewy · 04/08/2015 18:51

I haven't tried Groupon , will check it out.
Today we went a walk along the river, picnic , icecream and then a drink in pub. The dc seemed to enjoy it . I just feel so bad that that's all I can offer them.
Safari trip is going to be v expensive so trying not to do food shop this week. Or just basics or picnic food.

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LineRunner · 04/08/2015 20:38

Rewy, that honestly sounds lovely. And picnic food can be quite low cost - we like baguettes with cheese / ham. Two long baguettes for a quid in Asda, plus their cheaper cheese, ham, little pork pies etc. We assemble the sandwiches when we get there.

Rewy · 04/08/2015 20:42

Thankyou
I just feel guilty that I can't give them what I wish I could. They've never been abroad or even stayed in a hotel in this country. Perhaps if I could save on food shopping then I could save some money each week....

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LineRunner · 04/08/2015 22:34

The safari trip sounds really good, though.

ghostspirit · 04/08/2015 22:53

how about going to the beach? do they have any ideas? getting nails done? maybe a pamper day at home?

Psycobabble · 04/08/2015 23:00

Could you go camping somewhere ?
A pj and duvet day at home loads of DVDs popcorn sweets etc .
Pamper day as someone said- nail varnish hair done etc ( if they like that sort of thing)
Day at the beach
Bbq and invite over some friends ?

Going forward why don't you try save just tiny little bits when ever you can ( easier said than done I know !!) and maybe one day even if it's in 2 years you can take them abroad? Have a look online at holiday comparison sites ( I always do it this way and spend a lot of time shopping about to make sure I'm getting the holiday as cheap as poss ) this will give you a good idea of what you need to save !!

And try not to feel disheartened Iv had that feeling to when you try so hard to do something nice and feel totally unappreciated ! My ds is a lot younger so it's properly a different kind of behaviour but there have been times I'v planned a big day out spent a bloody fortune and he's been tired moody and basically ungreatful the whole time

Try enjoy the rest of your week

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