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Cancelled holiday, how can I cheer up dc?

243 replies

DakCien · 11/04/2025 09:16

Today we should be on our “summer” holiday. We booked it last year and dc have been looking forward to it since they found out we were going. It’s the only holiday we would have this year due to work commitments, so it really has come as a disappointment that it’s had to be canceled.
Dc all woke up sad this morning and I want to cheer them up. I can’t think of what to do. Anyone have any suggestions? We had to cancel due to a family member having an accident so it can’t be anything too physical that we can do.

OP posts:
Avatartar · 11/04/2025 09:19

First off, can you rebook so there is a date they can look forward to again and for now take turns to choose a day trip so they have some control over what you do do, thinking you may have someone immobile re the accident. Canal boat? You’re moving but most people need to put no effort in

vincettenoir · 11/04/2025 09:20

How about a “yes day” where they can do and eat what they want. Could be risky though.

Or maybe the Minecraft movie and a pizza?

MikeRafone · 11/04/2025 09:22

Can you have days out? What was special about the place you were going?

how old are the children?

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Coffeeishot · 11/04/2025 09:24

I would like suggested re book the holiday for next year, So they have something to look forward to then maybe just ask them what they fancy doing ?

Lolapusht · 11/04/2025 09:30

Break the rules day. Wear pyjamas all day, send them to the shop with £10 to spend in junk. Movies. Pillow forts. Camp in the garden. Assault course in the garden. Party games (pass a balloon without using your hands, go through a hula hoop, bean bag toss, pin a tail on the donkey, cut up bar of chocolate while wearing gloves, toilet roll mummies). Crafting.

DakCien · 11/04/2025 09:34

We do have cinema booked so far as it’s the only thing I could think that is suitable. Dc are all under 10. Also had a party coming up to a trampoline park which of course they can’t go to. Just seems like lots of disappointments all coming at once.

OP posts:
Hazeby · 11/04/2025 09:35

How old are the kids and where were you meant to be going?

Whinge · 11/04/2025 09:35

Also had a party coming up to a trampoline park which of course they can’t go to.

I understand that a family member has had an accident. (I'm assuming a broken bone) But why can't the other children go to the party?

mrsm43s · 11/04/2025 09:36

I understand the holiday, but why are all of the kids missing out because one of them had an accident? Surely the others can still go to the trampoline party?

The holiday, I would rebook for later in the year, so they still have that to look forward to.

DakCien · 11/04/2025 09:39

It’s dd who has fractured her elbow so unfortunately any craft/ hand related ideas are out of the question.

OP posts:
GandTtwice · 11/04/2025 09:40

How about 10pin bowling. Your DD can use the ramp to bowl if someone holds it for her

DakCien · 11/04/2025 09:41

Only dd was invited to trampoline park. She’s the eldest and it was her friends party.

OP posts:
CarrieOnComplaining · 11/04/2025 09:42

Oh no!

Does your holiday insurance cover this so you can re-book?

GirlWhatHaveYouDoneYoureAPinkPonyGirl · 11/04/2025 09:48

GandTtwice · 11/04/2025 09:40

How about 10pin bowling. Your DD can use the ramp to bowl if someone holds it for her

That would be very boring.

Coffeeishot · 11/04/2025 09:50

DakCien · 11/04/2025 09:39

It’s dd who has fractured her elbow so unfortunately any craft/ hand related ideas are out of the question.

Surely she could have gone on holiday with her injury? Anyway Is there a zoo near you have a nice day out then go for dinner on the way home.

GandTtwice · 11/04/2025 09:51

GirlWhatHaveYouDoneYoureAPinkPonyGirl · 11/04/2025 09:48

That would be very boring.

Bu the other DC who are also missing out on their holiday would be able to do without it. Things are going to be a bit restricted and boring for the DD who has a broken bone. At least it would get them all out of the house and doing something with an adaptation.

CaptainFuture · 11/04/2025 09:53

Where was the holiday and why did it have to be cancelled for that injury?

DakCien · 11/04/2025 09:56

Would people really take their dc on holiday with a fractured elbow which required surgery a few days prior to the holiday? To me that would be cruel. Also, imagine sand blowing into the cast! Not worth the risk. No way!

OP posts:
Whinge · 11/04/2025 10:06

DakCien · 11/04/2025 09:56

Would people really take their dc on holiday with a fractured elbow which required surgery a few days prior to the holiday? To me that would be cruel. Also, imagine sand blowing into the cast! Not worth the risk. No way!

Obviously you know the situation best, but a fracture doesn't always mean cancelling a holiday. Your 10 year old is going to be more careful than a toddler, and children are usually pretty resilient when it comes to injuries. As for the beach you can get protective covers to put over casts.

BritishFoodFan · 11/04/2025 10:17

DakCien · 11/04/2025 09:56

Would people really take their dc on holiday with a fractured elbow which required surgery a few days prior to the holiday? To me that would be cruel. Also, imagine sand blowing into the cast! Not worth the risk. No way!

Err, yes, as long as everything was healing well. Why would you cancel?

W0tnow · 11/04/2025 10:21

My kids have gone on holiday twice with a plaster cast on their arm. It’s a pain keeping it dry but it’s doable.

mrsm43s · 11/04/2025 10:21

I would only take a child with a broken elbow on holiday if it had been signed off by the hospital that it was safe for her to travel.

That aside, since your DD has a broken elbow, there are lots of things that she might have to sit out, however your other children could still do them. So you should still arrange physical stuff and arts and crafts etc for the other children in addition to things like cinema trips or stuff like museum visits etc that everyone can do.

The weather this weekend is really lovely - how about a British beach day? Sandcastles and swimming for those that can, and fish and chips, arcades etc for everyone.

Abbie22222 · 11/04/2025 10:24

I fractured my elbow at the same age, a few days before our annual camping holiday to France. My mum told the hospital, and the decision was made that I'd have a sling rather than a cast so that my arm wouldn't feel so hot in the heat. It was a foam thing that more or less disintegrated over the fortnight, at one point it was being tied together with napkins from the campsite bar 😂 I honestly think my mum would have left me at home with grandparents before cancelling the only family holiday of the year... it was different times in the 90s!

BritishFoodFan · 11/04/2025 10:25

Where was the holiday?

GettingMySpringOn · 11/04/2025 10:27

DakCien · 11/04/2025 09:56

Would people really take their dc on holiday with a fractured elbow which required surgery a few days prior to the holiday? To me that would be cruel. Also, imagine sand blowing into the cast! Not worth the risk. No way!

I would have still gone. You can get limbo ( I think they're called ) covers for the pool etc our hospital recommended them. In Fact ds broke his arm on holdiay years ago , we had one delivered to the site.
The holdiay was still great.
However you've chosen not to and that's fine.

I suggest a yes day. What about a woodland walk build a den. Day into London or something if not too far. Bowling, use a ramp thing lift the ball for her to roll down.