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Original poster

Holiday club guilt

72 replies

Oysterbabe · 26/06/2023 07:14

Just planned out the summer holidays and spunked £900 on 3 weeks of holiday clubs for my two (5 and 7). We're having a family holiday for a week and the other 2 we'll cover with a mix of annual leave and grandparent help. We have little annual leave left and still have October half term and Christmas to cover.

I just feel bad about it, like I should be spending the summer letting them relax, doing fun things with them etc instead of sticking them in holiday clubs. I have a couple of family members who have made a few little digs about how things are shit for kids these days with afterschool clubs and holiday clubs etc.

I don't work Mondays so they will have slightly more time with me than they do during term time. The clubs will be fun; one is drama, one is art and one is forest skills.

I guess it's just hard being a working family.

OP posts:

FarTooHotForMe · 27/06/2023 12:55

I used to book holiday clubs and I didn’t work, I felt no
guilt.

TreesandFish · 27/06/2023 13:47

You have a good balance. Holiday clubs are great fun and if your children are happy going, I would not listen to anyone else

Longwhiskers · 27/06/2023 14:10

OP we’re in the same boat except I don’t have grandparents on hand who can help. Ours are booked into days and days of clubs, I had to start a separate calendar to keep track of who is going to what and when!

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HappyChilli · 27/06/2023 15:15

So just another thing to consider, if it makes you feel better. When our two were younger we hired a “holiday nanny” for a few weeks each summer (she ended up doing the odd extra week through other holidays, these days she still babysits from time to time). Even paying standard rates and with proper payroll etc, it was not much more than holiday club for 2 children. It made me feel so much happier that the children got their chilled out home time. Turns out there was a fair bit of interest for these sorts of holiday jobs - nannies who aren’t needed in the summer by their usual family, students etc. so it wasn’t hard to find someone, who is now a valued member of our children’s lives.

Whatever you do, good luck. The mummy guilt is tricky!!

coxesorangepippin · 27/06/2023 17:44

I have a couple of family members who have made a few little digs about how things are shit for kids these days with afterschool clubs and holiday clubs

Did they offer to take the kids for three weeks????!

Thought not

Cheeky fuckery

familyissues12345 · 27/06/2023 17:48

Mine never went because I was either a SAHM at the time, or was working term time only. They both used to complain that their friends were having a great time at holiday club and they weren't! Honestly, you can never win.
You have to do what's right or needed by your family, it's no one else's business what you do - including busybody family members...

Original poster

Oysterbabe · 27/06/2023 19:19

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. I've asked around and they have a few friends also signed up for the clubs so that will be nice for them.
It's going to be
Week 1: drama
Week 2: art
Week 3: family holiday
Week 4: me/DH/grandma
Week 5: me/DH/grandma
Week 6: forest skills

I'll take pp advice and have very relaxed Mondays and maybe letting them choose something like cinema for the afternoon.

OP posts:

angielizzy1 · 27/06/2023 19:24

Very few parents that only have school age children are able to have all the school holidays off and those that do have often made other sacrifices like missing school plays because they work term time or having less money. When my youngest started school I didn't work because I had another child with a medical condition that meant I was up a lot at night so I wasn't working during the holidays but didn't have loads of energy or money to put into holiday entertainment. I've also worked as a childminder so again I was around but they had to tolerate other children being around too and perhaps less freedom compared to their friends as there were rules such as TV or computer games while I'm working and healthy snacks at set times. Both my children have actually done holiday clubs in the summer because they are fun and it gives them a break and loved staying with grandparent's so I wouldn't feel bad about it, it's sounds like you have a good summer planned

mewkins · 27/06/2023 19:27

I used to go to holiday clubs when I was a kid (both parents worked and a few holiday clubs were available). I had a great time and loved going to them especially if other friends were going. We used to have great adventures and meet kids from other schools. Don't feel bad.

Lollipop81 · 29/06/2023 21:41

Don’t feel guilty you’re working to keep a roof over their head. Anyone making comments should think themselves lucky they don’t need to be out working.
my kids love holiday club, thankfully as I am a single parent and my family can’t have them. I feel the guilt too though but that’s the way it is. I’ve booked off some time and will make the most of that time with them.

Tida · 30/06/2023 05:54

This reply has been deleted

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cuckyplunt · 30/06/2023 06:03

My DDs went to a YMCA holiday club in Nottingham for years and loved it.
Never feel guilty about working to support your family, it sounds like your two are going to have a splendid summer.

Original poster

Oysterbabe · 27/07/2023 08:22

They're at drama club this week and absolutely loving it. DD came downstairs dressed and ready to go this morning, which never happens. They are performing a play for the parents tomorrow afternoon and she has a decent part with some lines, she's really excited. DS is enjoying it but not quite as enthusiastic.
I'm taking them to the cinema on Monday then they are at arts and crafts club for the rest of the week, which will be more his thing.
Anyway, so far so good.

OP posts:

GrinAndVomit · 27/07/2023 08:28

Take no bloody notice. I’m a SAHM (mostly) and my older two are going to holiday clubs once or twice a week. They love it.

We do absolutely loads in the holidays but they still look forward to their holiday clubs. I think they enjoy the break away from the baby to be honest.

watersprites · 27/07/2023 08:36

I have 4 wks off in the summer & use holiday clubs!

Doremisofarsogood · 27/07/2023 08:46

I haven't needed holiday clubs for the last 4 years as worked term time only, this summer though I'm WFH all year round and have booked DD into a holiday club for a full week and a few odd days. Never used it before so hoping it'll be ok but it gets rave reviews and is always over subscribed so should be good. She's an only child so will get to be with old and new friends and will be very active rather than entertaining herself for 6 hours a day while I work. Don't best yourself up about it, kids adapt to their circumstances and I bet they'll have loads of fun 😊

Phineyj · 27/07/2023 08:57

I'm a teacher. I still use holiday clubs. DD has 7-8 weeks off! She's done a couple of days of Supercamps which she loved, and will do a week of music theatre soon.

Kids are lucky these days to have good quality clubs. I used to spend the holidays reading and bickering with my younger sister. I still like to read but my relationship with my sister is rocky...

Mariposista · 27/07/2023 08:58

Don’t feel bad! Staying at home ‘chilling’ sounds idyllic but it is also boring as heck. At clubs the kids are with friends having fun!

Ultraviolet85 · 27/07/2023 09:00

Op please do not feel guilty- this is the reality for many parents during the summer holidays! People having a dig are complete cfs ignore them! My two are doing a few days at holiday club and by the looks of things so far, they have a blast! I’m sure it’s the same for your dc.

AnnieKayTee · 27/07/2023 09:07

You can't win either way, I've had digs from my FIL that I don't so enough with the kids over the school holidays, he thinks they should be out doing something (paid) everyday. Always asks, what have you been up to this week? When the kids reply "nothing much just bike riding/seeing cousins/went the library etc"

it's "oh how very sad, shall I take you all to -insert expensive day out here- "

I feel like working the holidays next year and handing them all over to FIL to look after.

KingTriton · 27/07/2023 09:15

I wish there had been the vast array of clubs to choose from when I was a kid. I remember the holidays being boring as fuck and after school there was nothing to do either.

NewDogOwner · 27/07/2023 09:36

Holiday clubs are fun. They get to play with other children and do lots of fun activities. I don't need them but my child goes a few days here and there for fun and to play with their friends who are all there.

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