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AIBU?

AIBU to be sitting here crying (I know I am)

63 replies

malibuthru · 29/04/2017 19:05

I'm sitting here in a caravan that I booked for this weekend. I'm crying because I am seemingly completely incapable of having a nice time with my DC.

I find it so stressful, a 3 hour journey turned into 5, toddler was sick in the car, teenager heaving cos of sick. 6 pints of milk got dropped and split open on the caravan floor, toddler doesn't like the smell of the caravan and keeps gagging (she's sensitive to smells), having to spray body spray ever time she goes into a different room, then teenager slopes off to the bedroom to watch her iPad with headphones in. Toddler slept in car, so didn't go to sleep til midnight. Wake up today, thinking new day, fresh start.. starts well, had a reasonable time. trying to get toddler ready to go out, she doesn't want to, wet herself after I got her dressed. Teenager just doesn't listen to me, takes me asking several times for her to do anything, gives me this look that makes me feel like the worst mother ever, always manages to turn everything round on me.. always has excuses. Now it's all come to a head, me and teenager crying, toddler oblivious, I just want to go home. Christ knows how we are actually going to eat tonight as I'm clearly not capable of getting these two out of the door and other than sandwich stuff there is nothing in.

I know this post is completely full of self pity, but I genuinely just wanted to have a nice weekend with my children and I really don't feel like there is any way to recover this. I just want to be like the other families that are enjoying each other's company and having a nice time. Sad

OP posts:
ChaChaChaCh4nges · 29/04/2017 19:08

(((((hug))))

It sounds like a hell on earth, and not of your making.

Quite honestly, I'd be inclined to cut my losses and go home.

FlyingElbows · 29/04/2017 19:11

I don't believe other families are really always having a nice time and enjoying each other's company Wink

Gizlotsmum · 29/04/2017 19:15

Oh big hugs. Can you get something delivered?

KourtneyKardashian · 29/04/2017 19:19

Load the car back up and go home tomorrow morning. Write it off.

Go to teenager and give her a hug, even if she doesn't give you a hug back, tell her you love her.

Tell both children that if they don't get their shit together, they're having bread and butter for their tea.

(Hugs) it sounds shit but you will get through tonight as you have to.

Heratnumber7 · 29/04/2017 19:19

Difficult mix, a teenager and a toddler.
Is teen old enough to leave in van with iPad so you can take toddler out?

FloatyCat · 29/04/2017 19:20

Oh dear, how kisses with small children are not always fun and rarely meet the 'ideal' of all enjoying stuff & loving each other's company.
I would also say order a pizza or get fish & chips.
Tomorrow is another day, deep breath [brewWine

WorknameJimEllis · 29/04/2017 19:20

Sounds like every family holiday I went on as a kid.

My favourite one was the one where my mum FINALLY realised we were all having a shit time packed the car and we went back home.

FloatyCat · 29/04/2017 19:21

Holidays not 'how kisses'!

MatildaTheCat · 29/04/2017 19:22

Go and hug teenager then go and buy chips and wine.

Ask seriously if they want to go home or do something definite tomorrow. If they really want to go home just go and write it off. Maybe bring a friend for teen next time.

FloatyCat · 29/04/2017 19:22

My dad used the threaten to go home on the second day of every childhood holiday I can remember Grin

Loungingbutnotforlong · 29/04/2017 19:23

Oh poor you! Give each child a hug and ask for a 'do"-over'. Bit rubbish for you, but teen on her IPad is par for the course and no reflection on you! X

elephantoverthehill · 29/04/2017 19:27

Is the caravan on one of those sites that have a bar/cafe and entertainment. Go and watch it for a laugh with the teenager and the toddler will be awestruck and get yourselves something to eat whilst you are there.

Italiangreyhound · 29/04/2017 19:35

It's very difficult when you are managing two very different age groups.

My kids have 6 years between them. It's very diffilt at times.

You can go home if you want to but I'd probably try and stick it out and rescue tomorrow.

I would suggest you have a family pow wow with teenager, use your phone to see what is available for them in the area, and offer something fun for then to do tomorrow.

I'd go for fish and chips tonight, or any take away that the kids like.

For future hols I'd be tempted to try and make some good friends with kids aged toddler or teenager and try and go away with others. Your own caravan but going to same site as friends. Then the teenagers can hang about together etc.

Your teenager probably has good friends already, are any single parents?

For now focus on the positives. You are altogether, you are safe, you have money for food.

Get your kids fed, get the toddler to bed and watch a nice movie with your teenager (if the caravan has a freezer buy your teenager's favourite ice cream).

DeadGood · 29/04/2017 19:36

Ah, OP, this sounds really shit. No wonder it's gotten on top of you.

Flowers can you openly tell your teen that you need help getting dinner organised? Maybe she can rally the toddler and you can work together a bit?

Hope things improve

Kitsandkids · 29/04/2017 19:38

I think everywhere I've ever been with my kids I've heard at least two parent type figures from other families threaten to take their children home again, so trust me, it isn't just your family!

I feel for you being on your own on holiday with 2 kids. I find it hard sometimes being at home with my two while my husband is at work! I'm currently having 5 minutes to myself in my bedroom while they're occupied just to get a bit of peace after one day with them!

Your teenager probably feels it's all 'beneath' her and it won't seem cool to her to be away with mum and little sibling. Is there any way you can get her on side a bit by giving her jobs that make her feel grown up? Can she go to the onsite shop to get snacks? Can she be trusted to take toddler by herself to the onsite play park?

Is there a local takeaway that can bring you a meal if you can't get out?

Good luck!

RJnomore1 · 29/04/2017 19:39

Make a pile of sandwiches and stick on the tv, have a picnic for dinner.

Bless you, toddlers and teenagers are not always nice or rational to be around.

malibuthru · 29/04/2017 19:40

Thanks everyone. You've all made me feel lots better. Made toddler egg and spaghetti hoops for dinner.. Me and teenager having a hot chocolate and have both stopped crying!

I really didn't anticipate how challenging this would be. Used to do stuff like this with DC1 all the time and used to be fun! Having another child in the mix has tipped me over the edge. Actually dreading our 11 day summer holiday now, when I can't even make 3!

OP posts:
dataandspot · 29/04/2017 19:43

Lots of holidays with children the expectation is better thAn the reality!

I never learn and always rebook! Funnily the children seem to look back fondly on the holiday too !

SuperFlyHigh · 29/04/2017 19:43

Can you plan a nice day out with both of them on this holiday tomorrow?

Glad you all made up though! Have fun. Smile

MrsTwix · 29/04/2017 19:44

Yanbu. Hope it gets better.

user1493059174 · 29/04/2017 19:50

You are clearly all tired. It will get better once you all relax into the holiday. Is there a beach nearby? If so go and blow the cobwebs away, grab fish and chips and get an early night

NoSquirrels · 29/04/2017 19:51

Oh bless you. I'm having a sulk upstairs because a "nice day out" was basically spending copious amounts of cash for ingrates and moaners to argue amongst themselves when not demanding more/different/extra ... but I know it's just par for the course some days.

Tomorrow will be better- get teen on side when toddler is in bed, and make a plan for tomorrow.

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DistanceCall · 29/04/2017 20:00

A teenager and a toddler are a very bad mix, as someone else said. Particularly in a camping site. How old is the teenager? I started staying home on my own when I was 15.

malibuthru · 29/04/2017 20:06

It's actually meant to rain tomorrow from 10am for the rest of the day! I don't want my teen to remember this as the holiday that was so bad that mum came home early, but I also know that another day like today will be very damaging to us all..

Normally would go swimming but teen had AF and doesn't use tampons. (I did buy some, she has tried, she finds it 'disgusting' and just can't seem to get the hang of them).

I exchanged my £8 clubcard vouchers for £32 pizza express vouchers to use for tonight..Looks like I'll be treating myself to some nice lunches next week!

OP posts:
DistanceCall · 29/04/2017 20:09

I'd go home and cut my losses, particularly if the weather is going to be horrible. What are you going to do in a caravan with a toddler and a teenager for hours on end?

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