Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DD 4 and a half constantly repeating her desires on holiday

206 replies

napkinbear · 17/07/2024 07:08

It's just constant. From the moment she wakes up it's ' I want to go to the pool ' the moment we hey outside, it's I'm hot or 'I want to buy goggles'.

We've been up for 30 minutes and she's already asked to go to the pool 100 times maybe.

She has other stuff she can do, toys, iPad, drawing stuff, TV. But she just repeats and repeats and repeats what she wants and I keep explaining, we are getting ready now, having breakfast and we will go after that etc. but she just won't asking every 30 seconds.

Eventually I snap sometimes and it feels mean. She still continues to ask though anyway, after maybe a 5 minute break. It's annoying.

What can be done ? Is this just normal for her age ?

OP posts:
AppleCream · 17/07/2024 07:56

When my DC went through this phase I found it helped me to remember that it is completely developmentally normal. They're just doing what (for some reason!) their brains are telling them to do.

Moonshiners · 17/07/2024 07:56

Holidaaaaay · 17/07/2024 07:45

Really? She's on holiday and by the sounds of it super excited. Don't be a kill joy, adding time onto a timer until she can do the one things she wants to. 😔

Show quote history

Jesus is getting a child to stop moaning being a killjoy? Really? Yes it's exciting but what about when she wants another ice-cream, or coke, or go the beach, or go on her iPad or a new toy or ....
Do you just give in to it all?

Letsgotitans · 17/07/2024 07:54

44PumpLane · 17/07/2024 07:15

Do as others have suggested above as a first port of call, particularly the alarm, but then if she continues let her know that every time she repeats herself that 5 minutes will be added to the timer.

That tends to be quite effective for mine.

Oo that sounds a bit mean! And also might just extend the annoying behaviour 😬

NeverDropYourMooncup · 17/07/2024 07:54

Kid: I want to be active

Parent: can't you just play on your iPad?

Kid: I want to be active

Parent: play with a doll or something. Or do some drawing. Why can't you just sit down and look at a screen or something?

It's not exactly screaming a healthy lifestyle.

Moonshiners · 17/07/2024 07:53

God everyone is very relaxed around a child being demanding. I have four kids so the annoying one would be told to stop it and that every time they asked it would add on another 10 minutes. I don't tolerate whining.
My kids are now teens and obviously it's impossible to get them out of bed so it's me and DH waiting around!

Imisscoffee2021 · 17/07/2024 07:53

She's a water baby and excited, I'm still the same at 36 😆

LoveRosesClimbing · 17/07/2024 07:51

How about a quick swim before breakfast to go with her keenness?

Grapelamp · 17/07/2024 07:48

This is me on holiday too! Sod the iPad. Quick breakfast then pool.

AstonMartha · 17/07/2024 07:48

@Goatinthegarden 😂 same here.

Goatinthegarden · 17/07/2024 07:46

I’m with your DD. I’m nearly 40 and I wake my husband up at about half 5 on holiday because I’m so excited about all the things we are able to go out and do that we can’t do at home, and I don’t want to waste a minute. People who are slow to get ready are frustrating. 😂

Hotel breakfast is on my list of things I’m buzzing for though.

Holidaaaaay · 17/07/2024 07:45

44PumpLane · 17/07/2024 07:15

Do as others have suggested above as a first port of call, particularly the alarm, but then if she continues let her know that every time she repeats herself that 5 minutes will be added to the timer.

That tends to be quite effective for mine.

Really? She's on holiday and by the sounds of it super excited. Don't be a kill joy, adding time onto a timer until she can do the one things she wants to. 😔

Gingerdancedbackwards · 17/07/2024 07:43

napkinbear · 17/07/2024 07:08

It's just constant. From the moment she wakes up it's ' I want to go to the pool ' the moment we hey outside, it's I'm hot or 'I want to buy goggles'.

We've been up for 30 minutes and she's already asked to go to the pool 100 times maybe.

She has other stuff she can do, toys, iPad, drawing stuff, TV. But she just repeats and repeats and repeats what she wants and I keep explaining, we are getting ready now, having breakfast and we will go after that etc. but she just won't asking every 30 seconds.

Eventually I snap sometimes and it feels mean. She still continues to ask though anyway, after maybe a 5 minute break. It's annoying.

What can be done ? Is this just normal for her age ?

Just repeat "I want never gets". She needs to learn not to demand

arlequin · 17/07/2024 07:42

Awww she sounds excited!

Could you get her excited about breakfast maybe if you're in an all inclusive type place? Do they have traditional food from the country she could try or waffles/pancakes/ things she doesn't normally have?

Mrsjayy · 17/07/2024 07:37

SnakesAndArrows · 17/07/2024 07:30

I’m 58 and can still remember the frustration of my parents’ (in my view) incredibly slow progress in the mornings and failure to be sufficiently enthusiastic about going to the beach/zoo. I feel your DD’s pain!

Parents totally ruin holidays 😀

itsgettingweird · 17/07/2024 07:33

When ds was that age the first few days I accepted we'd be up and at it early.

Because by day 3 he'd be tired and laying in and by the end I'd be the one willing him to wake up so we could go for breakfast and get out and about 😂

SnakesAndArrows · 17/07/2024 07:30

I’m 58 and can still remember the frustration of my parents’ (in my view) incredibly slow progress in the mornings and failure to be sufficiently enthusiastic about going to the beach/zoo. I feel your DD’s pain!

ParaParaParaphrase · 17/07/2024 07:25

As a seasoned parent of many years. Always go swimming first. After breakfast! Then the whole day doesn’t revolve around when are we going swimming? Is there still going to be time for swimming?

Mrsjayy · 17/07/2024 07:22

Can you set a timer/reminder on the iPad so it can show pool time.?

Mrsjayy · 17/07/2024 07:21

She's excited it's very early to be listening to her chirping away. I'd just say after breakfast then let her talk on and on just repeat after breakfast.

Original poster
napkinbear · 17/07/2024 07:21

I got her edurino for her iPad and she loves it! I got it especially for the holiday so there is another novelty.

I can highly recommend it btw.

She was playing a bit this morning but still asking about the pool.

OP posts:
NoDishiForRishi · 17/07/2024 07:20

The timer idea is good and definitely worth a go.

Shes 4 and excited, this is all very normal behaviour, annoying maybe and definitely relentless but very normal.

Whaleandsnail6 · 17/07/2024 07:19

I think she's probably just excited. Its out of the norm having a pool to play in, (I assume) its a novelty. Everything else she has to play with is things she normally has so they arent as exciting.
Just get on with what you're doing to get the day started, I'm sure she'll calm down as the holiday goes on.

AstonMartha · 17/07/2024 07:19

She’s excited! Who has time for breakfast and waiting for people to get dressed, that’s boring!

Original poster
napkinbear · 17/07/2024 07:18

Evolutionarygoals · 17/07/2024 07:17

My similarly aged DD does this. I agree it's immensely annoying! I think they don't have much concept of time etc yet so it's all a bit "have thought, say thought". I've had some luck with explaining what we're going to do first, then getting her to tell me what I've just told her. Makes her activily think beyond the thought that's going round her head. Although, then it can be followed by "we're going to the pool after breakfast! Aren't we mummy! First breakfast, then the pool!" Over and over...

Haha yes she does that. So funny 😆

OP posts:
CelesteCunningham · 17/07/2024 07:18

Very normal for her to be asking and very normal for you to be contemplating throwing her out a window. Grin

The timer idea is a good one. Helps her visualise how long she has to wait as they have no real concept of time.

You will spend the next few years saying things like "asking me over and over again won't make me go any faster" and "my answer is the same as the last twenty times". Y'know, turning into your own mother. Grin

Swipe left for the next trending thread