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Original poster

Really fed up on hols

34 replies

Mortonpup · 18/08/2022 13:42

I'm on hols and whilst there have been bits of fun, I'm feeling exhausted and really down today. Had a lie in at holiday house which was nice but then I felt guilty we weren't up and at 'em. My kids have an activity this afternoon which they'll like but I secretly (on here) can wish I was on a beach or by a pool reading my book while kids swim (they're old enough not to need lots of supervision)
This is VERY first world selfish moan of me I know. Please don't give me shit. Just make me feel better if you're not having a #blessed holiday either ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Mortonpup · 18/08/2022 13:45

Just been called a Karen for asking kids to come off phones while they ate lunch (this is in conversation in car now we've left and I've been asked why I'm grumpy)

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Playplayaway · 18/08/2022 13:58

Tbh I'd let the phone thing go on holiday, as long as they're not completely ignoring you. Holidays are the times for giving less fucks for a while.

Are you the only parent? Is there a park where kids can play while you have one eye on them, one eye on your book?

TheScenicWay · 18/08/2022 14:00

Is it normal for them to be on their phones during Meal times?
Is there a beach nearby you could go to? Seems a shame to be in holiday and not get what you need.

TheScenicWay · 18/08/2022 14:02

Are you on a self catering and you're doing all the work?

FrancescaContini · 18/08/2022 14:02

They sound really rude, calling you a “Karen”. Can you ask them to explain what they mean?

mumwholovesabum · 18/08/2022 14:15

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DownNative · 18/08/2022 14:29

Can your kids attend their activity whilst you go to the beach for a bit?

Piccalino3 · 18/08/2022 14:36

I feel your pain. We are currently away in the New Forest and my 8 year old makes everything so miserable if it's not something she wants to do. We spent the morning swimming and at the arcades (not my idea of a good time), all the kids are tired and moaning. There's a lot of fighting, crap food and all the things I'd like to do we can't really do with 3 kids. I'm bored. Solidarity OP. Every year I wonder why we do this!!

Timeforanewnamenow · 18/08/2022 14:48

I won’t go into the details as outing but I’m 5 days into a 2 week trip to a beautiful Mediterranean beach destination and I’m just exhausted and want to go home. 3 small children and we’re in self catering accommodation. We’re eating out quite a bit so I’m not cooking (just preparing simple cold snack/meals in the villa) but I feel ‘on’ all the time. It’s too hot and not relaxing. If we go abroad next week I’m keeping it to a week

OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 18/08/2022 15:26

If my kids called me a derogatory term like Karen they’d be explaining to me why it was ok and losing a privilege or two, like their phones.
They need to understand that holidays aren’t just about them, and you need to relax too. If they can go swimming or do something with minimal supervision do it, take your book. Relax.

Original poster
Mortonpup · 18/08/2022 16:14

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

What's this supposed to mean?

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Original poster
Mortonpup · 18/08/2022 16:17

@TheScenicWay without drip feeding I fight a losing battle against Phones and behaviour at meal times though I do put foot down and say no phones when food arrives. I snapped when youngest picked up beans pot and started eating them over the screen
They broke something in garden at house last night messing about and even though they had a blast just now, have immediately asked "what we doing next ?"
They've been in childcare since babies and seem to crave a structured day with everything planned from end to end.
I've just nipped to shop and bought fizz and some Daim bars and sent them to McDonald's to get an ice cream. I may channel the poster from yesterday (?) who sat solo in car park and drive off and park elsewhere...

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Original poster
Mortonpup · 18/08/2022 16:18

Btw I did ask elder son to define Karen and he floundered a bit. Err...like a strict mum was best he could come up with.
I gave him full definition and said it's not acceptable

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CheeseyToasts · 18/08/2022 16:18

FrancescaContini · 18/08/2022 14:02

They sound really rude, calling you a “Karen”. Can you ask them to explain what they mean?

They most likely mean the OP is acting like a Karen

What's so hard to understand?

Original poster
Mortonpup · 18/08/2022 16:24

TheScenicWay · 18/08/2022 14:02

Are you on a self catering and you're doing all the work?

Yes mostly though DH has brought me coffee in bed and been doing some laundry I still feel responsible and doing all the meal planning and "thinking" as I know when kids will be hungry/ know to plan a day around their food needs. They all get hanger...
SC was only option and UK too or I'd love to drive off to buy nice fruit , bread and cheeses from the French supermarket!

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Quitelikeacatslife · 18/08/2022 16:30

I think you do need to all have a chat and say right what are we doing tomorrow? If you agree on activity say "right then back here for few hours , you can have screen time and I'll read my book" (drink wine eat crisps) get easy pizzas takeaway or something for tea or go out so no cooking. You can say I realise you enjoy a bit of time on your phones as you can't have them at meal times.
It's got to be a holiday for you too. Can you and DH tag team for an afternoon? Or are kids old enough to leave in house and you go out for lunch ?

Original poster
Mortonpup · 18/08/2022 16:43

@Quitelikeacatslife this is a good plan. DH wants to go into town early tomorrow but we've only got an activity at 2 and yesterday they were fed up relatively quickly and we had to cancel dinner out and come back
I'll call a family decision meeting when we get back today and DH and I might go to pub for one while dinner cooks. They're ok for an hour or so without falling out !

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TheScenicWay · 18/08/2022 17:06

Phones are such a curse. They're great too but it feels like we've done a deal with the devil when it comes to tech.

What if you sat down with them and reminded them that it's your holiday too and you're working harder than anyone else. How is that fair?
Then give them rules around the phone.

When we go self catering, I plan the meals beforehand and then expect the kids and dh to chip in. Could you get them to take charge of some of the meals?

Original poster
Mortonpup · 18/08/2022 17:18

Just gone to start to cook dinner and there's no masher. Fine. We'll have wedges. No oven trays. Well there's one but nothing even a Pyrex or anything to oven cook sausages in and the fish the rest are having I'm thwarted.

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ettieb · 18/08/2022 17:39

Can I chip in from a different point of view with an adult child and with hindsight. I found that holidays with a child under 10 were hard work and I feel your pain. It does get easier and you really appreciate holidays when you get back to the reading a book by the pool and letting them get on with it. I would say to try and be nice to yourself and not beat yourself up if they are on phones more as long as they understand it will go back to normal rules when the holiday is over. There is no easy answer but I think as long as you have done something with them for a couple of hours just let them get on with it. Ultimately it is better for them in the long run if you are a bit selfish and take time for yourself so you get a proper rest and are a better Mum going forward because of the rest.

Bobbyelvis4ever · 18/08/2022 17:40

Have you got tinfoil? Fold a bit in half to make it thicker, then fold all the edges up half an inch. Voila! One mini oven tray 🤗

Original poster
Mortonpup · 18/08/2022 19:04

I had a mini meltdown about the oven trays and DH gently closed the oven and said "Morton we are having a Chinese". He took me to pub with youngest while elder sat upstairs on devices and after 1.5 pints (I know- outrageous!) l, a petting of a lab and a border terrier, I feel cheered and a bit squiffy.
I'm booking lunch out tomorrow and buying ready meals for dinner from m and s.
Chinese food is v spicy and v nice so I'll shrug about my wasted food and put it down to SC house experience. In the last house I went to I could whip up a sourdough and a cake had I so desired but here there one tray, one pan and only 2 wine glasses and 2 pint glasses. Bizarre.

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Original poster
Mortonpup · 18/08/2022 19:25

And DS1 just smashed a bowl of dessert all over floor. We've no kitchen rolls or mop. I'm hiding

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BirmaBrite · 18/08/2022 19:33

I am currently afflicted by other peoples children who have set up a couple of metres away from the cottage door, playing snippets of very loud bad music and screaming. Hoping for torrential rain.

Original poster
Mortonpup · 18/08/2022 19:40

@BirmaBrite is this in a holiday house too?

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