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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How would you parent this situation?

236 replies

Himitsu · 25/08/2024 12:13

Currently at a festival with husband, dd10 and ds2.

Dd10 is refusing to leave the tent. Doesn’t want to go to the festival (that she really wanted to come to!)

We have paid for activities that she wanted to do today and we are currently just sat here. Short of physically manhandling her I’m not sure what to do. Toddler is bored and wants to go and see stuff. Husband is going to take him down in a bit but means I’m stuck here with moody 10 year old and I’m really pissed off. She’s saying her head hurts (it only hurts when she’s doesn’t want to do something funnily enough).

What would you do in this situation? She just had a lovely birthday party, lovely gifts and this was part of it. She just manages to ruin almost every day we out we have when she doesn’t get her own way. Shes generally a lovely girl but lately had really ramped up with the laziness and defiance. Trying not to fall out and ruin our last day here but in half tempted to just pack up and go.

OP posts:
cupcaske123 · 25/08/2024 12:24

Tell her you're taking her to the medical tent or for a walk to help with her headache. Tell her that sitting in the tent will make it worse. Then once away from the tent take her to the activities or see some music and just ignore her whining.

Bearybasket · 25/08/2024 12:23

I agree with taking any screens, etc off of her and make sitting in the tent as boring as possible.

Calamitousness · 25/08/2024 12:23

Agree. Pack up. Go home. Remove all electronic devices from her. Once home she is not allowed to go out or have any devices. She can sit in her room. She sounds horrible. And I would not be giving her any of her birthday gifts till she’d apologised and showed improved behaviour over some days.

Pixilicious1 · 25/08/2024 12:21

What @Whaleandsnail6 said. No way would I let her ruin it for everyone by going home

theduchessofspork · 25/08/2024 12:21

I would probably pick her up and move her, but if you (understandably) don’t want to do that, I would be clear with get that XYZ severe punishments will happen (and stick to that) unless she moves, because she has no right to ruin everyone’s expensive weekend away.

If she still won’t budge then tag team with your husband to babysit her. Whoever is with her just read and have a beer, don’t entertain her.

You could perhaps say you are going to leave her in the tent, which might get her moving, but one of you would have to watch her from afar if she didn’t, so she knows you will stick to your guns.

This phase will pass but it’s infuriating while it lasts, and I’d come down as hard as you can on it.

Augustisnearlydonesogoodbyesun · 25/08/2024 12:20

What does she intend to do in the tent to pass the time? Whatever it is remove it. She can help pack up while dh take the toddler to have fun. Then you both sit in the car and do nothing... Consequences when you get home.

Enchantedlilypad · 25/08/2024 12:19

I agree, I would also start packing up and see if she changes her mind, if not then it's a lesson learnt or she genuinely doesn't feel very well.

Whaleandsnail6 · 25/08/2024 12:18

I'd be taking her phone or whatever entertainment she is using in the tent and telling her its either sit with absolutely nothing to do in the tent or come for a walk with you.

I would also tell her that she is spoiling the day for me and if she doesnt snap out of it, then she is grounded for the rest of the week once back.

Id let her sulk around the festival but at least you would be there and not stuck in the tent. I'd completely ignore any attitude once out of the tent.

TheSmallAssassin · 25/08/2024 12:18

I'd cut your losses and go home. That's the natural consequence of her behaviour. It's not fair for you to have to waste your day by hanging round the tent all day - if she doesn't want to do the booked activities, then she will just have to tag along with whatever you want to do.

If she really is feeling unwell, then home is the best place for her anyway.

Createausername1970 · 25/08/2024 12:16

DH takes toddler off to keep them amused. You commence packing up.

Give her the opportunity to get over herself once she sees you starting to pack up, but if it isn't forthcoming, then crack on and go home early.

SleepyHollowed84 · 25/08/2024 12:15

Pack up the car and go. ‘Right we’re leaving then’. No conversations.

Either she’ll start magically start feeling better or it’ll be a lesson to leave her with relatives next time!