Terrible kids’ behaviour on holiday - any hope to rescue this?

[DisorganisedOrganiser]

On holiday with DH and kids at a very child friendly all inclusive resort. DDs are 6 and 8. Behaviour, especially from DD2 is terrible! I know it’s normal for kids to kick off a bit if they are out of routine and we are trying to have low expectations and not put pressure on.

They like the pools.

But... it is too hot for them to be in the pools in the midday sun so they need to do something else during this time.

They are bickering almost constantly. They are sharing a double bed which has never been a problem before but DD1 absolutely hates it so we are splitting them up at night and each sleeping with one of them. DD2 has cried and whinged since before we left the airport in the UK. They are hitting and punching each other. Constantly asking for sweets. DD2 wants the lights off and curtains drawn all the time which is irritating everyone. DD1 keeps saying she wants ‘time to herself’ which she is getting but it is apparently not enough. They refuse kids clubs (not a problem, we expected this) but DD1 has decided she is now too old for the mini disco. Evening entertainment is shit and in very hot and stuffy room. Did the same style holiday last year but the evenings were cooler as entertainment outside and both kids loved the disco then. Internet is shit so not even sure I will be able to reply much to this thread if I get any replies. Aaaaggh. Any tips?

Not RTFT but how long have you been there? We're on day 9 of a 10 day all inclusive, the DC's (6 & 8) were a right bloody pain when we got here but since we've got into a bit of a routine they've been far, far better although it did take about 4 days... If you're reasonably early on it may well still improve, and if not

try some proper discipline and read the riot act.

I’d also agree with having a plan - my eldest has some SEN so is particularly sensitive to that but I found it helped the youngest too. It was the first time I’d ever used a kids club so was a bit reticent but actually the plan of get up, have breakfast, quick swim/wander, kids club, lunch, chill time in room, swim, snack, shower etc dinner seemed to help ( admittedly I was only there for a week and not sure I could have been that regimented for longer but it was better than the squabbling!).

Also sometimes it takes a few days for everyone to relax into a holiday.

Have to say the argument over hats in the pool made me smile as that was also a flash point for me. I did also reflect on how much I think I may have moaned when on holiday as a kid...

I'd read them the riot act. Tell them unless they start behaving, devices will be removed when they return home. Tell them they are going in kids club and that they are going to share a bed without arguing. It's your holiday as well !

Cut the junk food. Buy a basket of fruit. If they need to snack, they can have a piece of fruit. I did notice with mine, when young, that they were crankier when they ate junk.

Take them to the indoor pools during the day. They probably need to burn off energy.

On the hats, I bought swimming legionnaire style hats for our first foreign holiday. My kids hated them and chose to not swim at midday (they got in the way of their goggles, and they won’t swim without goggles) but perhaps your kids are less fussy? This sort of thing:
www.sun-togs.co.uk/sun-busters-uv-legionnaire-hat-ocean-manta-ray-upf50/

Hats are still non-negotiable here - and DD is now 14!

When she was younger Is was legionnaire UV hats (they stay on quite well in the water. As she got older it was peaked caps or bandanas. These days it's a bandana style headband.

Thanks so much for all replies everyone. Couldn’t get on to MN to post on here and not sure I will be able to get on again. Do appreciate all replies.