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Original poster

They hate holiday clubs!

10 replies

Uglyducklingswan · 04/08/2023 19:14

Dc is 11, almost 12 is at the top end of what is acceptable for most holiday clubs and camps, but has ADHD so acts young for their age. If I WFH during the school hols they just hang out at home, but I have a handful of days this month where I have to go into the office, and no other family free to help those days, so have booked them into a club.

Today, first day. Came home with a headache, awful mood and refuses to go again!

it is a new club for us, but chosen by DC as they offered amazing activities DC wanted to do. The same thing has happened with every other camp and club they’ve tried each summer/Easter for years now. I can’t work out what’s going on. They say they’re boring, they don’t like the kids or staff… basically any excuse.

trouble is now they’re big I can’t force them to return next week.

what is going on?

OP posts:
Stompythedinosaur · 04/08/2023 19:39

My dc haven't always loved the childcare I arranged for them, but I don't think it does them any harm to understand that I need to earn money to pay for our food, house etc, so there are times they have to suck it up and go.

I think it's totally fair for they to complain about it and you should validate that it is crap for them. But try and connect it to stuff your wage pays for.

If you honestly think your dc will prevent you from going to work by absolutely refusing, then I think you need to be clear that would be very serious as it would endanger your job and income. What would the consequence be for them? Is there a reward you can offer for them going?

Stompythedinosaur · 04/08/2023 19:41

If you genuinely think there's a chance they won't go and you will be stuck unable to work, then I guess look at sitters.co.uk and see if someone can come to the house, and recoup the cost from their pocket money, future Christmas budget etc.

SnakeBasket · 04/08/2023 19:54

Mine are 6 and 8 and attend holiday club 5 days a week. The older one tolerates it, the 6 year old hates it! They do amazing activities, beach school, campfires, exotic animal visits, etc. They'd just rather be at home and I completely get it, I would too! But, I have to work and with no dp or family to take them it's tough luck unfortunately.

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timeafterdime · 04/08/2023 21:27

From your OP this sounds like a few occasional days for a child going into year 8? I appreciate they have SN but - honestly - I'd leave them at home with regular phone checkins rather than force them away from home to do something they hate.

My kids have SEN and have never been able to tolerate clubs. I've been lucky enough to work flexibly around school since they were small, they're both in secondary now and fine to be left alone.

RandomMess · 04/08/2023 21:29

Is it anxiety and they find it difficult to make friends etc?

sooverthisshit · 04/08/2023 21:30

Mike hate the one they’re going to as well :(

I feel so guilty but the other option is I don’t work and that will affect them more!

I feel your pain OP.

MaxwellCat · 04/08/2023 21:31

Mine also hate holiday clubs they are mainly sports based round here (even when they claim they do other stuff my kids have said it was sports all day) mine aren't into sports

itsmyp4rty · 04/08/2023 21:38

Mine went to one a few times, it sounded amazing with all sorts of different activities through the day. Turned out they just put out some lego and some different toys and left the kids to play with it all day long. It was nothing like it sounded and a load of crap.

Needmorelego · 04/08/2023 21:44

Can’t you just get a babysitter for them?
A university student home for the holidays or similar.

Stompythedinosaur · 05/08/2023 14:16

timeafterdime · 04/08/2023 21:27

From your OP this sounds like a few occasional days for a child going into year 8? I appreciate they have SN but - honestly - I'd leave them at home with regular phone checkins rather than force them away from home to do something they hate.

My kids have SEN and have never been able to tolerate clubs. I've been lucky enough to work flexibly around school since they were small, they're both in secondary now and fine to be left alone.

I wouldn't leave an 11yo alone for a whole day, especially not one that has ADHD and is young for their age.

Going to a club you don't enjoy is rubbish, but it's better than being unsafe. Sometimes being a parent means making the unpopular choice.

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