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AIBU?

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Original poster

To hate family holidays?

110 replies

Straitjacketsandroses · 01/08/2024 10:43

I don’t get them. City breaks - love; short UK breaks - love, but any longer than that and it’s just same shit less conveniences around you.

We’re currently on a week-long UK break with my in laws and I’ve abandoned my husband and kids to come back to our (average, not as clean as my house) air b&b because the thought of another walk makes me want to scream. We’ll spend the day walking aimlessly to find the best spot for some squashed sandwiches and warm apple juice before coming home to sit uncomfortably round a kitchen table whilst my FIL watches EVERY soap back to back. And we’re haemorrhaging money on ice creams and pub lunches and fish and chips. It’s all just so expensive and dull. Take me home!

Anyone else feel like this or am I a one off? I feel the same abroad too if we go anywhere for more than 3-4 nights!

OP posts:
FourForYouGlenCoco1 · 01/08/2024 10:54

Yes, I always feel like there are so many hours to fill. It’s very intense, with 3 proper sit down meals together every day for a week. It’s great in some ways, but I’m definitely done in by the end of it.

Seaglassandchampagne · 01/08/2024 10:53

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable because that sounds miserable and boring!

Family holidays are what you make them - you need to find somewhere interesting you actually want to go, with plenty for everyone to do, and plan better food than squashes sandwiches!

OooSorryDoctor · 01/08/2024 10:53

Ditch the in laws for a start 😆

I’ve learnt my lesson this year…. no more holidays with the in laws, as trying to have a day out with three kids under 6 is enough without throwing two 70 year olds in the mix who want to be with us 24/7 😬

CaraLara · 01/08/2024 10:52

Our family holidays are amazing, we live for them. Sorry to say but yours sound awful.

Original poster
Straitjacketsandroses · 01/08/2024 10:51

Screamingabdabz · 01/08/2024 10:47

That would do my head in too. Can’t you ditch the kids with the in laws and have a night out? Shake it up a bit?

We tried this (and my in laws happily obliged - they’re fabulous grandparents) and we had a lovely pub tea - but then it was back to the same old stuff (sitting around with the TV blaring; I ended up taking a glass of wine and my book to bed). The issue there is our kids are old enough for us to enjoy a pub tea with them so it isn’t kid-free time I’m craving particularly; I think it’s down time away from my in laws and their incessant TV watching and love of aimless, muddy, destinationless rambling 🤣

OP posts:
JacquesHarlow · 01/08/2024 10:51

Snacksgalore · 01/08/2024 10:49

That holidays sounds awful. I think you’re just doing the wrong kind if family holidays.

I agree.

Do you have any control over what you actually do, @Straitjacketsandroses ? Can you make suggestions?

If you think it's dull, what would you do, given a free itinerary for the day in a 10 mile radius of the area?

It's easy to criticise. It takes more effort to come up with a solution.

YABU.

Soonenough · 01/08/2024 10:51

Sounds very boring . I am with you on this. Some shit different setting . On holiday I want an experience like a visit to a beautiful city or a beach holiday for some sun and sea . And deffo not with Inlaws . And for the same price probably could have rented a villa with a pool. And English TV channels.

Snacksgalore · 01/08/2024 10:49

That holidays sounds awful. I think you’re just doing the wrong kind if family holidays.

lavenderlou · 01/08/2024 10:48

I love our family holidays but I think it's because we choose places where there are more things to do as a family than when we're at home so enjoy the time we spend together. I'm not a particularly domestic person - I can imagine holiday accommodation can feel unpleasant if you have very high standards of cleanliness at home.

Also, I would not enjoy any holiday with my in-laws, nice as they are!

If the expense is bothering you can you eat in more. Just stuff that you can heat in the oven? The weather is good at least so can you research more to do in the area?

Screamingabdabz · 01/08/2024 10:47

That would do my head in too. Can’t you ditch the kids with the in laws and have a night out? Shake it up a bit?

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