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So last two summers I’ve spent a month in a holiday destination, can’t do that this year, and now I’m feeling lost

117 replies

Redrobinbobbin · 08/03/2023 23:58

As I’ve genuinely forgotten how the hell I fill 6 weeks of summer holidays
I’ve obviously had many many summer holidays to fill in previous years
but it’s like pre covid I cant remember them !

then last two years then summer holidays have flown by as been in holiday for most of them

now I’m thinking the what fuck are we gonna do for 6 weeks
xx

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Redrobinbobbin · 09/03/2023 05:55

Hopeful bump
I know I’ve been spoilt
but now I don’t know what to do

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MichelleScarn · 09/03/2023 05:56

Depends why you can't go.

MsChatterbox · 09/03/2023 05:58

Plan 2 activities for each week and spread them apart. More if you have the finances. Activities could be a beach day, soft play, farm etc (how old are your kids?). You could also do a day entry to places like butlins. Then filler days let the kids play out, chill at home, paddling pool etc. Sorry if your kids are teens this might not be the most applicable!

cheatingcrackers · 09/03/2023 06:01

How old are your kids and what are your local amenities like? (What did you do for a
month at the holiday destination and can you somewhat recreate that at home eg if the kids swam all the time can you get a one month membership to a local pool or similar…)

We do a summer jar every year and fill a jar with wet and dry day activities eg library/art gallery/museum for wet days, beach/hike/NT place for dry days and then pick one out each day that we don’t have other plans. Make lots of plans with friends. The odd day of a holiday club?

Redrobinbobbin · 09/03/2023 06:03

The kids are 16 and 9 we don’t live near the coast

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Redrobinbobbin · 09/03/2023 06:04

Reason we are not doing the long holiday this year is I didn’t book it in time
sold out so more expensive
and also finances

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cheatingcrackers · 09/03/2023 06:06

Well surely the 16yo will just entertain themselves?

You don’t have beach but what do you have near you? Arrange loads of play dates and sleepovers for the 9yo and you’ll probably get lots of return invitations!

cheatingcrackers · 09/03/2023 06:07

Could you maybe also do a short trip to the coast? If finances allow that…

Redrobinbobbin · 09/03/2023 06:08

Yeah the 16 year old mainly will
but still needs a bit of input and attention too

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Redrobinbobbin · 09/03/2023 06:09

Oh yes we will deffo do some sort of mini holiday even if only a couple of nights in U.K. at seaside

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ChiefPearlClutcher · 09/03/2023 06:10

Camping
Road trip
Youth hostels? Some youth hostels are really fancy with en suite family rooms, you need to be a member though iirc, the joining fee was really worth it.
plan something for every second week with a week at home to ‘recover’
If you’re really flexible just plug some dates into easyjet/ryanair and see what comes out, random destinations

BernadetteIsMySister · 09/03/2023 06:11

Aww I'm so sorry. This sounds terrible. I hope you find something to fill your time.

Redrobinbobbin · 09/03/2023 06:21

I’ve never looked into youth hostels so I will do

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Redrobinbobbin · 09/03/2023 06:22

Unknown I’ve been spoilt, but it’s also the age difference that makes it harder too in some ways and the way it’s a constantly changing thing with all the different stages

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Fran92 · 09/03/2023 06:23

Do you have any memberships for National trust / English heritage / CADW Etc?

Lookout for deals on theme park stays with entry tickets. Some leisure centres offer a cheap month to use facilities like the pool or tennis courts too.

What about renting a tent for a week if you don’t have a tent, fairly cheap and can be a laugh altogether? Can pick up air beds etc cheap too and a stove.

Hollyhead · 09/03/2023 06:27

I never understand this need to ‘fill’ holidays. Have a few days out, the rest of a time is an opportunity to chill out at home. I don’t remember the summer holidays being filled up with stuff for me in the 90s, but it’s when I learnt to entertain myself!

Redrobinbobbin · 09/03/2023 06:27

All great ideas fran
ww don’t have any national trust type member ships but I would consider getting one
and I would also consider camping my sh wouldn’t even consider that but I could do it with the youngest
maybe the teen might join us
depends what the mates are doing no doubt

theme park days out are a great idea too

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Redrobinbobbin · 09/03/2023 06:28

I guess I feel I need a plan or the youngest will need up havign too much screen time and gaming

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Stepuptowardsinfinity · 09/03/2023 06:31

I am struggling to feel any sympathy for you here. Very goady of you to start such an insensitive thread. I'm so sorry that you can't have your usual month away and that your nearly adult children might have to get off their backsides and entertain themselves.

carriedout · 09/03/2023 06:32

Redrobinbobbin · 09/03/2023 06:22

Unknown I’ve been spoilt, but it’s also the age difference that makes it harder too in some ways and the way it’s a constantly changing thing with all the different stages

This is just a normal family set up Confused - everyone's kids change stages.

If you're not working all the time you're able to enjoy the time, just do a range of activities covering exercise, arts/crafts/cooking, museums/galleries, games, films/TV.

Theos · 09/03/2023 06:33

Good God, if your 16-year-old has not got a social life yet, then you really have got something to worry about. This is your chance to have freedom and go and do what you want to do with your friends

Theos · 09/03/2023 06:33

Stepuptowardsinfinity · 09/03/2023 06:31

I am struggling to feel any sympathy for you here. Very goady of you to start such an insensitive thread. I'm so sorry that you can't have your usual month away and that your nearly adult children might have to get off their backsides and entertain themselves.

This. Why on Earth do they want mummy ?!

Redrobinbobbin · 09/03/2023 06:34

i didn’t know can actually rent tents

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Versailles2023 · 09/03/2023 06:34

Youth Hostel at the foot of Snowdonia is good and walking up a big mountain is good too.

Redrobinbobbin · 09/03/2023 06:36

I still have a 9 year old to make sure isn’t screen timing for hours and hours

andnthe teen sometimes plans fall through etc or friends can be flakey or they are away on holiday etc
p

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