Do your DC use kids clubs on holiday?

[countingdowntoholiday]

So we're going away April 2023, lovely looking hotel with amazing reviews everywhere I've looked.

Going away with older DC (5 and 11) who've both looked online at what the kids clubs offer and have mentioned maybe joining in and trying to make some friends while we're there. I've no issue with this as it's their choice and on their terms, will just see how they feel at the time.

But we'll also have the youngest DC, who'll be 18 months. There's also a kids club/crèche available for children that age, and DH has mentioned maybe leaving youngest there if oldest 2 aren't with us so we could have lunch/couple of drinks, just the two of us. But I don't know how I feel about it!

Would you leave your 18 month old in childcare on holiday? I'm torn.

DD went to mini club from age 2 and she loved it.

she’s an only child l, hated the sun and went to nursery from 11 months so she was more than happy to go for a few hours a day. It also made her confident enough to take part in the mini disco at the evenings as it was the same staff

you can only try and see if it works

Absolutely yes, to the tune of I wouldn’t go on holiday if I couldn’t get a break from the 18MO. Otherwise it’s just same shit different location 😂 My 5YO also flipping loves organised fun, so she’s eager to go. Not all day everyday, so there’s some family time too, but definitely for some of the holiday.

I never have personally. DH works such long hours, we need our holiday time to be as a family.

Are the staff qualified and do they speak good English?
If yes I would try it for a session and see how your child gets on. If they cry the whole time I expect someone will come and get you.
Do they go to nursery normally? If they do they'll probably settle quicker as they know you will come back. Even if they don't they might really enjoy it. Try it for one session and see how they gets on, then make a decision based on that.

DD went to your typical resort kids club between 7-9 and did enjoy it. After that, not so much, she felt too old and there were hardly any other children that age.

She did plays with other children when we did self-catering on a farm which had a big playground/indoor playroom, that was between 5-7.

Check the requirement for under 3s carefully, friends wanted to use one but they had to go back in case of nappy changes and found it not really relaxing.

I think it’s a maybe, see how it goes what the club is like if the older two go and if they are suitable etc

I'd definitely leave a 18mo if they'll have them

Mine did do holiday clubs until the eldest started to refuse, then he started a coup d'etat against the clubs which his siblings quickly aligned with

I now have 3 who refuse to go to kids clubs - so would give an organ to go back to them being 18months and not able to scheme

yes, jsut for some together time
it is your holiday too

They're a good idea but with 3 children it isn't akways easy. One of mine loves them but the other refuses.

Then there's the meet ups with the other clubmates afterwards on the beach or round the pool where you sometimes land up policing the whole tribe if yours is the popular one.