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Original poster

A reset weekend for me and my teenage son 🥹

115 replies

fifimummy · 13/02/2025 00:11

My 13 year old amazing son was diagnosed (shock) with Crohn's disease in December.
It's been brutal honestly and he "failed" according to the hospital a course of liquid feed, and then had 7 weeks of steroids which has been living hell honestly....
I only took him to the GP because of scalp psoriasis and his life has been totally flipped on its head ...
The Prednisolone gave him rage and insomnia, he started vaping, hanging around with people I'd never heard about and also pretty bad depression, I massively fought against the.medication, but he was told they would work miracles....they haven't worked
He's now been prescribed more tablets and has to have infusions.
Anyway that's the backstory
I want to take him away for a weekend.....
Somewhere back to nature maybe, with walks and pretty scenery ....with phones for just an hour
I'd like for him to ride a horse for the first time.....I used to do it loads and it's pure therapy, there's nothing better in my eyes....be around animals and have a fire or barbecue at night....I feel like I need to reset after all the arguing
Can anyone recommend anything? Don't want to do the big things like center parcs etc xx

A reset weekend for me and my teenage son 🥹
OP posts:
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Shouldbedoing · 19/08/2025 17:54

Did you ever go away with him, OP?

Wooky073 · 10/08/2025 23:54

What about an unusual air bnb - there are some treehouses, old railway carriages, old planes you can stay in. Stay close to toilet access. Maybe get a radar key for emergency access to loos. He has had to cope with a lot of adjustments. Maybe stay on a farm. I appreciate you like animals but would riding be uncomfortable for him with the condition? What are his interests? EG history? Natural sciences. Its a lovely idea to do a reset weekend and i hope it goes well x

MonotoneHerbivore · 15/02/2025 18:54

Toptops · 15/02/2025 18:47

You need to ask your son what he'd like to do

I’m sure she’s thought of that. Teenage boys aren’t always the best for coming up with ideas for things

Toptops · 15/02/2025 18:47

You need to ask your son what he'd like to do

Theeffingcleaner · 14/02/2025 22:03

What about air b&b somewhere that is rural enough for the both of you to have long walks, near by riding facilities etc. Your son will have the option of staying behind in warm, comfortable surroundings if he feels I’ll. You then have the opportunity to go for a hike on your own knowing your son has enough home from home comforts and a toilet for his personal use. My Fil has Crohns and it can flare up at any given time ,it can be quite bad and needs access to a toilet straight away. Certain foods especially bbq food can be havoc for sufferers of Crohns , lean meat ,chicken should be fine as any fatty content meat that may be greasy can inflame his gut and bring on his symptoms.

Hope you both have a lovely time away whatever you decide to do,

it will take time for you son to adjust to his new diet and also to come to terms with his new diagnosis, just be patient with him . You sound like an amazing mum🥰

Spottyshirt · 14/02/2025 19:06

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venus7 · 14/02/2025 19:05

shellyleppard · 13/02/2025 00:13

Your poor son sounds like he's had a rough few months. What about youth hostel? Or center parcse sending hugs 🫂 💐 🙏 to you both x

OP specifically stated not centre parks.........

Horses7 · 14/02/2025 18:49

You sound like a good Mum and you’ve got lots of suggestions here.
I think long term support would be good. Do you think counselling would help or a support group for him. There are Facebook Groups for anything and everything and talking to teenagers like him should help.

Fireangels · 14/02/2025 18:49

GreenLeaf25 · 13/02/2025 00:22

I've never googled for an OP before but what about the New Forest? There is a clamping site where you can be out in nature and also bbq at the end of an evening - but also have a walk in the woods taking in the natural wildlife?

There’s an Away resort in the New Forest called Sandy Balls. You can rent a lodge with a hot tub and there are various activities there including Alpaca walking.
It’s close to local attractions including a shire horse centre.

Concretejungle1 · 14/02/2025 14:42

Spottyshirt · 13/02/2025 07:03

He was diagnosed a few weeks ago really and already

The Prednisolone gave him rage and insomnia, he started vaping, hanging around with people I'd never heard about and also pretty bad depression, I massively fought against the.medication, but he was told they would work miracles....they haven't worked?

He's young and dealing with a bowel disorder. Its a lot too deal with. I was diagnosed young. Its awful and a lot too take it! Im now an adult and it still gets me down.

niadainud · 14/02/2025 11:27

goingdownfighting · 13/02/2025 19:48

Yes definitely let him decide. If you really enjoyed centreparcs there are similar types of chalet parks about. Or a lodge in a forest - have a look at Sykes' cottages.

I think somewhere with a hot tub would be fun.

Kids that age like their own so is there a friend you could go with?

Wales may be nice especially around Ben Nevis. There's zip lines, indoor caving and all sorts around there, and surfing if you stay near a beach.

Wales is only "around" Ben Nevis in quite a broad sense...

Original poster
fifimummy · 13/02/2025 23:43

Deebee90 · 13/02/2025 11:18

I’ve got no tips but I wanna thank you for being an amazing mama. I’ve got IBD too but I was diagnosed at 25. It’s a rough ride . Thank you for helping him and supporting him. It will take time but he’ll get there.

This made me 🥹 thank you, I guess people don't understand the rough ride unless they've experienced it sometimes xxx hope you're currently well ❤️

OP posts:
Original poster
fifimummy · 13/02/2025 23:10

Thank you all so much, I'm finally back from work with both kids sorted....
To the posters who have said nasty things like I've clearly no interest in what he wants.....seriously??
I won a competition last year and I'm taking him and 3 friends to Alton Towers when it's warmer and we're applying for a ride access card so he can reap a tiny benefit of his diagnosis, there lots of other things that we've also done like rage room, shopping trips, cinema with his gf, and random drives out in the car to chat plus hair & facials.....this was literally an idea that popped into my head and some of the replies have been pretty hurtful. He will absolutely have the final say on this weekend, but I wanted some ideas to present to him , that's all.
Thank you to everyone who's commented about the IBD journey, it's honestly had a big impact on all of us, obviously mainly him, and we're just dragging ourselves through a bit at this point....I'm planning to do a different weekend with his almost 17 year old sister when he goes away with his Dad next xxx
It's been a lot and I appreciate all of your suggestions, I'm off to have a Google xxx

OP posts:
goingdownfighting · 13/02/2025 19:48

Yes definitely let him decide. If you really enjoyed centreparcs there are similar types of chalet parks about. Or a lodge in a forest - have a look at Sykes' cottages.

I think somewhere with a hot tub would be fun.

Kids that age like their own so is there a friend you could go with?

Wales may be nice especially around Ben Nevis. There's zip lines, indoor caving and all sorts around there, and surfing if you stay near a beach.

MonotoneHerbivore · 13/02/2025 19:16

Spottyshirt · 13/02/2025 14:32

Op clearly isn’t interested in clarifying what her poor boy wants to do
perhaps because it’s not relevant to what this reset is going to be

So many choices of things to say, and you chose this one. ‘Mother has concern for her unwell and struggling teenage son and trying to do something nice, I know, I’ll stick the boot in about the specific way in which I think she should be replying. That’ll help.’ 🤦‍♀️

TheActualDuck · 13/02/2025 19:10

I've not got any specific ideas for your weekend op but I just came on to say what a wonderful mum you sound.
You describe what your DS has been through but you have lived through this too and as a mum of a child of a similar age whose life was turned upside down by a (different but similar) diagnosis I salute you and all you are striving for.

BMW6 · 13/02/2025 15:45

snowmichael · 13/02/2025 10:37

I've never been myself, but my sister swears by Centre Parks as a reward/treat for her grandkids

<Bangs head against the wall> 😆🙄

Spottyshirt · 13/02/2025 15:02

JassyRadlett · 13/02/2025 14:45

Or possibly because he's at school and she hasn't had the chance to discuss it with him after the feedback she's had here.

Shes made it clear he's enjoyed camping and outdoorsy stuff in the past, and found it very calming. Along with her reasons for "not Center Parcs".

Show quote history

ignore me!

I didn’t see the update

JassyRadlett · 13/02/2025 14:45

Spottyshirt · 13/02/2025 14:32

Op clearly isn’t interested in clarifying what her poor boy wants to do
perhaps because it’s not relevant to what this reset is going to be

Or possibly because he's at school and she hasn't had the chance to discuss it with him after the feedback she's had here.

Shes made it clear he's enjoyed camping and outdoorsy stuff in the past, and found it very calming. Along with her reasons for "not Center Parcs".

Spottyshirt · 13/02/2025 14:32

Op clearly isn’t interested in clarifying what her poor boy wants to do
perhaps because it’s not relevant to what this reset is going to be

Scandinoirfan · 13/02/2025 14:02

Another recommendation for Forest Holidays. There are a couple of sites in North Yorks, cabins are beautiful, some with hot tubs and barbecues but none of the 'noise' of Centerparcs, easy access to the coast, Flamingoland if that's his sort of thing, North Yorks Waterpark , sure you'd find horseriding locally.

Ace56 · 13/02/2025 13:50

The thought of camping or glamping in this miserable weather would put me off. Can you go abroad, get a bit of sun? Even parts of southern Europe which aren’t boiling atm but still better than here…walks along the beach/hiking/exploring?

Lanzarotelady · 13/02/2025 13:44

Sounds like this is something you want to do not him

Ihopeyouhavent · 13/02/2025 13:39

The weekend is about him, so you need to ask him what he wants.

My son at 13 would of hated a quiet country weekend with limited phone access.

Do something fun!

yakamoza · 13/02/2025 13:15

Can anyone recommend anything? Don't want to do the big things like center parcs etc

@fifimummy What does he want to do?

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