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Holiday with another family and behaviour of their ASD child

436 replies

upoutandin87 · 21/08/2024 15:54

Currently on holiday with my family and another family (old friends) they have 2 older children same age as my kids and they also now have a 6 yr old. We have holidayed with them before but not since the youngest was born. Youngest is ND (autism and suspected ADHD). My son is 15 and autistic so I know about ASD but there DD seems out of control and we can't cope with it. She swears spits hits and throws furniture if she doesn't get her own way - there is no routine and she basically gets what she wants - she slapped my DD earlier today and called her a f b because she didn't want to go in the pool with her - my friends answer to this was you cannot say no to her - if you don't do what she wants she kicks off so we have to let her do what she wants. My friends DH and 2 older kids can't cope with her so they go to the beach and take my 15 yr old with them - I prefer being by the pool so I stay with them and my DD 17. We honestly don't know what to do as our holiday is being ruined by a 7 yr old. She threw my bag in the pool yesterday and I was fuming. We are trying to do stuff without them but they seem to be constantly appearing - they never raise their voice at their DD or tell her to stop as negative language makes her worse. Last night their 15 yr old told my son that she has been permanently excluded from her primary school and she currently has no school place from September - I was aware she has had several exclusions for violence but only short term exclusions but her parents have not mentioned to us about the exclusion. My DH wants us to cut all ties with them until they start parenting their child properly. We are only 3 days in to a 10 day holiday and are tempted to fly home to get away from them. I feel so bad as I am an SEN parent myself but they won't take any advice from us about maybe having a routine and setting boundaries. I so feel for them as they are completely broken by her behaviour but I don't actually know what I can do to help.

OP posts:
Softycatchymonkeys · 21/08/2024 16:02

Did they forewarn you about her behaviour before the holiday?

Maddy70 · 21/08/2024 16:02

They are trying to manage her the best way they can in a "different" environment.

You need to be honest with your. Friends and tell them you're finding her behaviour more challenging than you expected

Go and do your own thing.
Meet up at convenient times then go again when it gets too much

InterIgnis · 21/08/2024 16:02

I wouldn’t fly back, but I would change accommodation and continue the holiday separately to them.

coaltitsrock · 21/08/2024 16:01

Can you find a different accomodation locally? Booking? airbnb etc. I would try that one first.

It sounds very difficult for all parties involved. I have a highly volatile DC with ASD. Easy to say one needs to parents esp if there are PDA elements to it (sounds like it). I would just looking into getting a different roof over your head before flying home early.

CurbsideProphet · 21/08/2024 16:01

I would be heading out every morning without them and finding a way of enjoying the holiday. If I could afford it I would look for alternative accommodation. I imagine if you said something about their parenting they would disagree.

TheDisillusionedAnarchist · 21/08/2024 16:00

Old friends with two older kids who are ‘parented properly’ what is the likelihood they’ve suddenly become crap parents to number three?

That they’ve dropped all the routines and boundaries they had with the older ones and decided just to let her do what she likes? Versus that she has such high, complex needs that they’ve found all their ordinary discipline and boundaries and parenting don’t work and they haven’t yet figured out what does,

Sounds like they need support and kindness not abandoning and criticising by old friends.

Evaka · 21/08/2024 15:59

Definitely change accommodation. That's absolute wild.

purpleme12 · 21/08/2024 15:59

Wow I don't blame you feeling how you do

Nonononoway · 21/08/2024 15:58

All ND people are different. Maybe she is struggling with the change of environment.
That said, I’d avoid as much a possible and tell her off myself.
I also have a SEN child and not telling. Them off if not an option. It creates bratty little people.

Madamecholetsbonnet · 21/08/2024 15:57

I would be looking to change accommodation if at all possible. It sounds miserable and not relaxing at all.

crockofshite · 21/08/2024 15:56

Their kid needs meds.