Cancelled holiday, how can I cheer up dc?

[DakCien]

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.

But if you let them look forward to something all year and it doesn't happen it actually does teach them to not get their hopes up, to not believe people when they promise things and also that it's OK to let people down. If she explains to them why and rearranges for another time it will mitigate this but if she doesn't then they will unfortunately learn these things.

We're you able to re book for different dates? If not I would just jump on the train and go today. One parent go with the children who can do they physical activities and the other parent spends time doing relaxing activities with injured daughter.

It wouldn't have occurred to me to cancel either, to be honest.

Mumsnet at it's finest OP. 😂 I hope you find some nice things to do. Personally, I'm going to assume as her mother and the person who booked the holiday, and that knows how many children and what ages they are that you're best placed to decide what you and she can handle!

So on the scenario you've made in your head her children don't understand why they're not going on holiday and will never go on another one of its affordable?

Op I agree with others - you’re not going to find plenty of fun and exciting activities that everyone can do with a child with a broken arm. You will have to discuss this with your DD and she can have extra screen time or read a book on occasions. You might find after a few days she feels more comfortable with it anyway - I know my DD did when she broke hers at a similar age.

Activity ideas:

Go to the coast for a scoot (Or walk) and ice cream and arcades. Paddle in the sea if not too chilly where you are.

Lots of Easter trails in parks, farms and NT type properties

Get your DDs mates around for a garden day or movie day and let them entertain her and cheer her up. Lots of snacks and fave food for lunch or tea

Wrap the arm in plastic (we used thick bin bags) and go to a splash park or have a water fight in the garden

Baking

Make your own pizzas

Farm visit

Get on a train with a picnic to a place you’ve never been before.

As above but in a car. Or bus or ferry even!

No wonder they’re all fed up …can you not just leave today and get to holiday …if it’s uk fgs

Did you secretly not want to go, so used this as an excuse?

So sorry. We had similar last year. Took it easy and DC has no lasting damage.

Which part of the country are you in? People may be able to suggest nice days or.

Obvious things are cinema, baking, etc.

Have you got animals/could you look after them (I mean that well - is someone at home/garden access etc). It could be a good time to get a pet if you aren’t going away.

A lot of the replies are taking into account fractured arms. A fractured elbow can be a lot more serious.

did you actually ask dd if she wanted to cancel? Or your other children? No wonder they’re all sad.

DD(9) has a broken ankle and is on crutches and we’re still going on our uk holiday.

yes there are things that she will have to sit out on and watch but that’s life, not fair on other dc not to be allowed. She will still have lots of fun on the holiday, more than she would at home.

As others have said I would seriously look today at resurrecting the holiday especially if you don't have any more leave this year. Surely a change of scene even if your dd has to miss stuff is better than being bored at home.

Jump on the train and go on your holiday.

I broke my elbow as a child and it wasn't that big of a deal once the cast was on.

I had assumed it was flying somewhere warm and she would not be able to use a pool or beach there. Can you really not book an alternative for a shorter period if she feels ok?

Thank you everyone who has given ideas on ways to entertain dc during this time. I will definitely give some of them a go.

I am shocked the amount of people saying I shouldn’t have cancelled this holiday. Dd is reliant on me doing everything for her. She wouldn’t have enjoyed the holiday and other dc would probably get frustrated not being able to have a normal holiday. Dd absolutely does not blame herself for the holiday not going ahead. I have explained the reasons we can’t go to my dc. It was my decision to cancel the holiday. They have all been really understanding but undoubtedly feel sad today.

We are off to the cinema this afternoon and dd is choosing dinner for later.

It was a UK holiday !!! Of course you shouldn’t cancel !!

Op, I would get moving and get on your holiday! You’re in the UK anyway. Yes, some activities will be off limits but no reason you all have to suffer (including the poor child who has broken her elbow).

My DS broken his shoulder and wrist last October and we still went on our family holiday down South. He had a brilliant time and the change of scenery really helped.

It was a UK holiday.

she might have been a bit upset to miss out on physical activities, that’s life. Now she and other dc are missing out on everything and they’re all upset.

If it required surgery then I wouldn't have taken my dc on a beach holiday either, it wouldn't have been fair on your dd who wouldn't have been and to swim or go on the beach, that's really disappointing for you all. I was going to suggest swimming at a big indoor pool with slides etc until I see your update. Id be lost for ideas as well op but I hope whatever you do they can all manage to enjoy it.

Yeah, I went on a long haul holiday with 2 broken arms. You can get covers for the cast to keep sand water out, i sunbathed snorkelled swam. They are happy for you to fly as long as it is a certain amount of days after the cast is applied incase of swelling

I have to admit, this did cross my mind.

This is a good question. Did your DD have any say in what happend?

She would obviously have preferred to join in rather than watching her siblings. But if you've cancelled the holiday without even discussing it with her, then no wonder she feels awful. It sounds like everyone has been waiting a long time for this holiday and now she feels like she's the one responsible for ruining it.

If you're able to go on the original holiday, even for one less day then that would be the best plan. Other activities aren't going to help her get over the guilt she must be feeling. Especially if every conversation is well we can't do XYZ because of DD's elbow.

I remember this happening to me as a child. To soften the blow, we went to blackpool and stayed in a hotel overnight. Could you.perhaps do an overnighter somewhere not too far away, it's the excitement of staying away from home that they'll be disappointed at.

The weather is gorgeous, and a change of scenery and routine would no doubt have cheered her up even if she couldn't fully join in.

Could you go tomorrow OP? Where was the holiday? I'm sure people here could give you some great ideas of things to do.

Have you got an interesting science museum in a nearby town (not London ) and you could go by train for the sheer excitement factor.

Well of course it's your decision, you know your family best and all that.
I think you're making a bit of a mistake here tbh but I hope you have fun at the cinema.
Maybe having some friends over for some afternoons might help.