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Original poster

Only child- should we take a friend on holiday?

38 replies

bupcakes · 17/08/2018 09:47

We've had two holidays this year with DS (8) and he gets so, so bored. When he was younger he'd do all the activities and makes friends no problem, but he finds it harder now he's older.

Thinking of offering to take one of his friends with us next year- can anyone see any problems with this? Not abroad, just to Centerparcs. Friend is also an only child so I'm fairly sure his mum will say yes, and the boys get on really well.

Is this a good idea?

OP posts:
BarbaraGordon · 17/08/2018 17:34

I'm an only and as a child had my friend come on holiday with us (within the UK) and loved it

fussychica · 17/08/2018 18:17

I'm an only as is DS. We never did it neither did my parents. We just used to do loads of stuff together as a family. My dad was brilliant and played with me the whole time, DH was the same with DS. Saying that it was a different time, pre screens and perhaps we were all more used to amusing ourselves.
Not sure I would want to take someone else's child on holiday, a day or two is fine but longer than that wouldn't be for me.

SymbollocksInteractionism · 17/08/2018 18:20

I have three DC and nearly always take a friend for oldest DS (large age gap). It always works well, take his wee pal you'll all have a great time!

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museumum · 17/08/2018 18:23

This makes me worry for our family holidays in the future. Ds is an only but our holidays are the only time we really spend a decent amount of time as a three. He’s only five. I’m quite sad though at the thought of only having four more years of going away together and enjoying being a family. I’d thought of taking a friend as more a 14/15/16yr old thing.

amicissimma · 17/08/2018 18:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HemanOrSheRa · 17/08/2018 20:33

museumum you are looking way too far ahead. Your son is tiny. Enjoy your holidays with him Smile.

ReservoirDogs · 17/08/2018 20:43

museumum - we had our youngest a lot later than others so in effect was like an only.

Last year (15) was the first time in 10 years we had an "extra" and this year he was happy after gcses to come with just us to chill! He is now away (having a second holiday) as the extra with a friend of his.

We have sent him with money to offer for his keep (and if it is refused suggested he offer to pay for a meal, snacks or icecreams out) and with some money for himself too.

We took a friend of his with us when he was 5 to a UK holiday and they had a whale of a time and it certainly made cricket matches easier!

Chrisinthemorning · 17/08/2018 20:54

We have an only and would do this when he’s older. At the moment we find holidays with kids clubs work- he finds a few other children to play with for a few hours a day there and we spend time together as well. Centreparcs we try to go with another family.

SilentBob · 17/08/2018 21:02

I did this with my daughter when I realised children's clubs were definitely not her thing. (See my 'she made friends with a goat though, so that was nice' comment on the camping thread)

We paid for everything and it always worked out well- a couple of wobbles when she was younger as she really was/is very introverted and sometimes it was difficult for friends to get that she needed a wee bit of downtime away from them but soon sorted with a board game/trip to the shop/ whatever with the friend while my daughter had half an hour on her own. As she got older it was invaluable as she could go off with a friend and do her thing and I could relax and do mine.

Bumply · 18/08/2018 00:00

I've taken a friend (and on one occasion 2) of Ds1 on holiday.
Ds2 4 years younger and not into the same things. Meant Ds1 and friend could mess around together while Ds2 was happy to have my full attention.

Extra child didn't cost me much as holidays were in uk in easy driving distance and holiday house had spare bedrooms. Self catering doesn't cost much more with 1 more to feed and friend had their own spending money.

Pancakeflipper · 18/08/2018 00:13

Do consider it. Don't necessarily go with you child's best friend. If there is a child connected otherwise whom your family likes e.g via clubs, neighbour etc then think about those.
I was lucky to be the child invited to join a neighbour's family with a daughter a year older than me. We weren't best mates as being a school year younger was not cool. But we got on really well and weren't the type to be dramatic. Happy Days!!! Remember the hole and outings well.
My parents made a contribution to food and days out as friend's parent refused payment.

bourbonbiccy · 18/08/2018 00:21

@JellySlice you never know @Starlighter may be your long lost friend lol sorry just bring silly but it made me chuckle.

Original poster
bupcakes · 18/08/2018 08:28

Thanks everyone for taking the time to comment!

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