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Ungrateful Teens on Florida holiday

536 replies

WatermelonWaveclub · 13/09/2025 18:54

I brought my 3 teens (18, 16 and 13) to Florida to celebrate my eldest's 18th. Honestly it has been a nightmare. Every morning they refuse to get up. We end up leaving for the day's activity hours late. At least one usually refuses to come. Then we end up rushing around with the youngest upset we don't have time to do everything they want. When we get home late and I just want to sleep I am expected to sort food for whoever stayed back at the hotel. Then they stay up late keeping me awake. I'm exhausted!

The main thing they seem to want to do is stay in bed on their phones! Noone seems to worry about wasting a lot of money on activities they don't attend or any thought to making the most of a holiday they are very lucky to be on! No care about me missing out on things I'd like to do or their sibling would like to do. They were fully aware of what the holiday would involve and said they would like to go on the holiday. For example they knew there would be a lot of swimming. One has point blank refused to swim and the other 2 will swim hypothetically but have not once been in the hotel pool with me in almost a week and both just layed on sunloungers on their phones at the water park yesterday.

How would you deal with this situation?

OP posts:
LBFseBrom · 16/09/2025 20:00

FunBiscuit · 16/09/2025 17:45

They probably all got adhd get a lot of money for that in our days a cane sorted us all out not money

What on earth brought that on, FunBscuit? It seems quite uncalled for.

FunBiscuit · 16/09/2025 19:52

CurlyhairedAssassin · 16/09/2025 19:20

It's only a waste of money if you're already earning megabucks. Most people pay a standard rate of tax but even then overtime is always worth it.

Obviously everyone has different opinions in life I cashed in my pension got taxed 40 percent we don’t need to keep raising taxes we need everyone working higher taxes are shutting businesses

Ucannotbeserious · 16/09/2025 19:31

I really feel for you OP. It isn’t that hard to read the post, realise no one missing school, all the kids wanted this holiday etc. you can’t take away a phone from an 18 yr old. He’s an adult. You shouldn’t take away from a 16 yr old, they need to make sensible choices. But it is SO tough. If it’s any consolation especially against those carping away here I have 4 dc, there is 10 years between oldest and youngest, we haven’t been to Florida but been to Disney Paris roughly every 4 years for last 12 yrs. they all chose it, wanted it etc, oldest now 27. They all enjoy it, on what basis do people say it’s too young for them? The type of rides they like have changed a bit, but those daft cars you drive still a favourite. I would have the meeting many suggest go light on the ‘this is how much it cost’ as that type of guilt takes a bit more maturity, go heavy on the ‘your youngest sibling needs you’ guilt. That more likely to work I reckon. Otherwise go out with youngest on own if others won’t gone and spoil him rotten. FOMO is your friend, don’t be limited by their reactions and make it a time for you and him to remember. Good luck.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 16/09/2025 19:20

FunBiscuit · 16/09/2025 17:57

I get 5 weeks but company shuts in January 1 week then I use odd days I took 2 weeks they took £600 in tax it is a waste of time working overtime or 2 Jobs because they will take the money in tax which is wrong because a lot of people can not survive I know a couple with kids both work full time had to put food on credit cards this month

It's only a waste of money if you're already earning megabucks. Most people pay a standard rate of tax but even then overtime is always worth it.

Cherrytree86 · 16/09/2025 18:00

These kids! Some kids get a week in a caravan in Skegness and it rains all week. Some don’t even get that. They absolutely should be more appreciative.

FunBiscuit · 16/09/2025 17:57

Needmorelego · 16/09/2025 17:46

Why are you only entitled to 2 weeks annual leave?
I thought at least 28 days was standard.
Are you in a union?
You better talk to them.

I get 5 weeks but company shuts in January 1 week then I use odd days I took 2 weeks they took £600 in tax it is a waste of time working overtime or 2 Jobs because they will take the money in tax which is wrong because a lot of people can not survive I know a couple with kids both work full time had to put food on credit cards this month

Needmorelego · 16/09/2025 17:47

@FunBiscuit why don't you just leave this thread.
You clearly aren't interested.

Needmorelego · 16/09/2025 17:46

FunBiscuit · 16/09/2025 17:41

Wish I could afford a holiday I have been working 12 hour night shifts all year then I take 2 weeks holiday and they took my holiday pay in tax so no Greece holiday this year

Why are you only entitled to 2 weeks annual leave?
I thought at least 28 days was standard.
Are you in a union?
You better talk to them.

FunBiscuit · 16/09/2025 17:45

Needmorelego · 16/09/2025 14:20

@FunBiscuit the 16 and 18 year old have finished school. There is no school for them to be missing.
They are due to start college/apprenticeships apparently.
Not all college courses/apprenticeships start on September 1st 😂
My nieces started in the January when she did hers.
The youngest child is home educated. The reason is none of our beeswax.
Nobody. Is. Missing. School.
🙄🙄🙄🙄

They probably all got adhd get a lot of money for that in our days a cane sorted us all out not money

FunBiscuit · 16/09/2025 17:41

FunBiscuit · 16/09/2025 13:54

I would probably stay in Florida if I were you easy to get work and easy to get a flat it is a better life out there find a nice American

Wish I could afford a holiday I have been working 12 hour night shifts all year then I take 2 weeks holiday and they took my holiday pay in tax so no Greece holiday this year

Needmorelego · 16/09/2025 17:24

FunBiscuit · 16/09/2025 17:05

College does start when kids go back to school I spent years in college

Depends on the course.
Especially if it's linked to an apprenticeship.

Needmorelego · 16/09/2025 17:24

FunBiscuit · 16/09/2025 17:05

College does start when kids go back to school I spent years in college

Depends on the course.
Especially if it's linked to an apprenticeship.

FunBiscuit · 16/09/2025 17:05

Needmorelego · 16/09/2025 14:20

@FunBiscuit the 16 and 18 year old have finished school. There is no school for them to be missing.
They are due to start college/apprenticeships apparently.
Not all college courses/apprenticeships start on September 1st 😂
My nieces started in the January when she did hers.
The youngest child is home educated. The reason is none of our beeswax.
Nobody. Is. Missing. School.
🙄🙄🙄🙄

College does start when kids go back to school I spent years in college

WeWillAllGoTogether · 16/09/2025 17:04

Sorry OP but this thread just keeps giving and giving Grin

FunBiscuit · 16/09/2025 17:01

Needmorelego · 16/09/2025 14:20

@FunBiscuit the 16 and 18 year old have finished school. There is no school for them to be missing.
They are due to start college/apprenticeships apparently.
Not all college courses/apprenticeships start on September 1st 😂
My nieces started in the January when she did hers.
The youngest child is home educated. The reason is none of our beeswax.
Nobody. Is. Missing. School.
🙄🙄🙄🙄

Well they probably should be in college then because it is 13 th September

QuiltPlantCandle · 16/09/2025 15:44

WatermelonWaveclub · 16/09/2025 12:12

And I don't understand parents who wouldn't expect their 18yo to pay for their own phone.

My 23 year old is still on my phone plan. She is a recent university graduate still getting herself situated in life and I don't mind helping out. When she was 18 she certainly wouldn't have the funds to pay for her own phone!

RubySquid · 16/09/2025 14:43

BananaPeels · 16/09/2025 12:15

I will be paying for my kids phones until they have finished university and have a job. I’d say that’s pretty normal.

Really? I expected mine to pay for phone from their part time earnings. So from 16.

No excuses for not having a job at all until at least 21 after uni

Needmorelego · 16/09/2025 14:20

@FunBiscuit the 16 and 18 year old have finished school. There is no school for them to be missing.
They are due to start college/apprenticeships apparently.
Not all college courses/apprenticeships start on September 1st 😂
My nieces started in the January when she did hers.
The youngest child is home educated. The reason is none of our beeswax.
Nobody. Is. Missing. School.
🙄🙄🙄🙄

Odin2018 · 16/09/2025 14:17

FunBiscuit · 16/09/2025 14:00

There is a lot of work every day at school and I would not want the stress of catching up

Understandably, however, it affects children differently. Some can cope and catch up, others can't. It really depends on the individual child.
The OP never took her kids out of school.

Cherrytree86 · 16/09/2025 14:15

Thefirstdelicious · 16/09/2025 12:52

I bet you’ve screeched that at them a few times this holiday OP!

@Thefirstdelicious

so??

x2boys · 16/09/2025 14:05

PinkyFlamingo · 16/09/2025 13:42

This is turning in to cancel the cheque!

I thought the same🤣

x2boys · 16/09/2025 14:04

FunBiscuit · 16/09/2025 14:00

There is a lot of work every day at school and I would not want the stress of catching up

Non of the kids are at school ....

FunBiscuit · 16/09/2025 14:00

Odin2018 · 16/09/2025 13:55

OP never took them out of school. Need to read her posts.
On another note, it depends on the child's abilities whether they can catch up after missing some time off school.

There is a lot of work every day at school and I would not want the stress of catching up

Thefirstdelicious · 16/09/2025 13:59

SilverCamellia · 16/09/2025 13:33

Still wasting time on Mumsnet OP?

Kids prob itching to go out!

Odin2018 · 16/09/2025 13:55

FunBiscuit · 16/09/2025 13:27

Very stressful being at school If you took one day off you got seriously behind and never catch up at college too definitely go in summer holidays next time

OP never took them out of school. Need to read her posts.
On another note, it depends on the child's abilities whether they can catch up after missing some time off school.