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Original poster

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:
Coffeeishot · 11/04/2025 12:23

Baconking · 11/04/2025 12:18

The ideas given for staying home are a bit pointless really as they are same things you could be doing on a UK holiday.

Well this really,

MummytoE · 11/04/2025 12:24

DakCien · 11/04/2025 12:05

So a quick yes/ no question. If you’d broken your elbow and been operated on with pins holding it all together a couple of days ago, would you happily jump on a crowded train and honestly say you would enjoy a holiday?

Yes, you have really overreacted by cancelling the holiday

CosyRoby · 11/04/2025 12:28

Coffeeishot · 11/04/2025 12:23

Well this really,

Show quote history

Yes I agree
I would have still went
The DC with the injury would just sit the physical stuff out but would still be able to be in a different environment, eating out , seeing different scenery plus the other kids would have fun.
Also the fact it’s UK and not abroad means you could easily access NHS treatment if needed.
Ive taken my DC abroad a week after an operation still with long term dressings on and the nurses were fine and just said to keep them dry and covered .
Wouldnt have occurred to me to cancel …

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Families
TheFenceIsInTheAltogether · 11/04/2025 12:29

DakCien · 11/04/2025 12:05

So a quick yes/ no question. If you’d broken your elbow and been operated on with pins holding it all together a couple of days ago, would you happily jump on a crowded train and honestly say you would enjoy a holiday?

Yes.

I don't get why it's better to have no holiday that one which isn't quite as good as planned. Unless you've got all your money back so it's just delayed and not cancelled?

Watermill · 11/04/2025 12:29

DakCien · 11/04/2025 12:05

So a quick yes/ no question. If you’d broken your elbow and been operated on with pins holding it all together a couple of days ago, would you happily jump on a crowded train and honestly say you would enjoy a holiday?

Yes. I even did a UK holiday in a wheelchair rather than ruin things for my DC.

It really looks like you were relieved to have an excuse to cancel.

TheFenceIsInTheAltogether · 11/04/2025 12:30

I really don't understand what you can do in terms of trips and activities from home that you couldn't have done elsewhere in the UK. I think that's why it's very hard for people to offer suggestions.

SpaghettiHettie · 11/04/2025 12:30

I fractured my wrist (and had an OP) when I was 10. We went to Italy a week later. Doctor said it was fine, and I felt OK.

Mum bought me a plastic covering preventing it getting wet so I could still paddle in the sea/pool.

This was 30 years ago.

Obviously if your daughter was in alot of pain, I wouldn't go, bit otherwise it would be fine.

faerietales · 11/04/2025 12:31

TheFenceIsInTheAltogether · 11/04/2025 12:30

I really don't understand what you can do in terms of trips and activities from home that you couldn't have done elsewhere in the UK. I think that's why it's very hard for people to offer suggestions.

Exactly.

You could still have gone and just done different activities. You could still have gone to the beach, round local tourist attractions, to museums, to play areas - your DD would just have to adapt slightly but there's really no reason why everyone else had to miss their holiday.

godmum56 · 11/04/2025 12:31

if there has been actual surgery on the elbow then no of course you can't go on holiday. I like the ideas you have already been given. Have you got a garden? how about outdoor camping? Yes rebook the holiday. A movies and snacks allnighter. Fill a jar with papers with activities on and each child gets to pick one. I love the idea of a yes day, might do that myself.

faerietales · 11/04/2025 12:32

godmum56 · 11/04/2025 12:31

if there has been actual surgery on the elbow then no of course you can't go on holiday. I like the ideas you have already been given. Have you got a garden? how about outdoor camping? Yes rebook the holiday. A movies and snacks allnighter. Fill a jar with papers with activities on and each child gets to pick one. I love the idea of a yes day, might do that myself.

Why does having surgery on an elbow mean they can't go on a UK holiday?

Whinge · 11/04/2025 12:33

godmum56 · 11/04/2025 12:31

if there has been actual surgery on the elbow then no of course you can't go on holiday. I like the ideas you have already been given. Have you got a garden? how about outdoor camping? Yes rebook the holiday. A movies and snacks allnighter. Fill a jar with papers with activities on and each child gets to pick one. I love the idea of a yes day, might do that myself.

Why can't they go on holiday? They're staying in the UK. Confused

Hwi · 11/04/2025 12:33

Don't have a particular holiday expectation. My dc never did have a particular holiday expectation - they knew all their classmates went on 'away' holidays, but we could never afford it because our choice was to pay for education. So we did not whip up the frenzy 'ohhh, holidays'. There is so much to do where you live, there must be a library, a park, and you can use your holiday time to have a slightly longer lie-in, to explore your surroundings, to read as much as you want, to have some proper one-to-one time with the children.

KezzaMucklowe · 11/04/2025 12:37

DakCien · 11/04/2025 12:05

So a quick yes/ no question. If you’d broken your elbow and been operated on with pins holding it all together a couple of days ago, would you happily jump on a crowded train and honestly say you would enjoy a holiday?

Yes, 100 %.
It wouldn't cross my mind to cancel.

MeridianB · 11/04/2025 12:37

Lots of Easter things on already - is there a local farm where they could cuddle a lamb?

CaptainFuture · 11/04/2025 12:40

mrsm43s · 11/04/2025 12:21

Really? She's massively prioritising one child, and completely disregarding the feelings of the others. I can't see why any mother would do that, unless they had a favourite. If the happiness of all her children was equally important to her - they'd be on holiday now.

Show quote history

This and very much agree with the 'what will you be doing at home she couldn't have done on holiday?' Or is it going to be we can only ALL do whatever dd can, so the 'holiday' at home is still restricted for everyone anyway?

Longma · 11/04/2025 12:45

DakCien · 11/04/2025 12:05

So a quick yes/ no question. If you’d broken your elbow and been operated on with pins holding it all together a couple of days ago, would you happily jump on a crowded train and honestly say you would enjoy a holiday?

I flew 3 days after dislocating my elbow, and breaking a bone in my elbow and finger. It was in a cast - which was split to allow for flying.
I had a lot of pain medication, though once in a cast and supported the pain was massively reduced.

A week later I was teaching in a crowded primary school classroom with it. We have children back into our school - in very busy and crowded rooms/hallways one or two days after being in cast with/without an operation. And a number have been on holiday with broken bones of various types.

However, if it was a very active holiday and dd would be the only one not able to join in and no suitable alternative activities, then I can see why you may prefer to postpone until a later date.

did insurance pay out and/or the venue let you rebook?

AmiablePedant · 11/04/2025 12:45

It is elbow surgery. Elbows are complicated; it is not just a cracked radius or a simple broken ankle. Elbows are harder to protect from inadvertent knocks and the surgery itself would need some days for recovery. It would be a hard decision for me were I in OP's situation but I suspect I'd have moved in her direction.

Kbroughton · 11/04/2025 12:45

godmum56 · 11/04/2025 12:31

if there has been actual surgery on the elbow then no of course you can't go on holiday. I like the ideas you have already been given. Have you got a garden? how about outdoor camping? Yes rebook the holiday. A movies and snacks allnighter. Fill a jar with papers with activities on and each child gets to pick one. I love the idea of a yes day, might do that myself.

What activities could be put in the jar that would be different form things the would do on a UK holiday?

faerietales · 11/04/2025 12:47

AmiablePedant · 11/04/2025 12:45

It is elbow surgery. Elbows are complicated; it is not just a cracked radius or a simple broken ankle. Elbows are harder to protect from inadvertent knocks and the surgery itself would need some days for recovery. It would be a hard decision for me were I in OP's situation but I suspect I'd have moved in her direction.

But you could still go on holiday in the UK - being in a hotel or holiday cottage isn't somehow more dangerous than being at home.

Yes, you have to watch for knocks and be a bit careful, but they'll have to do that at home anyway. So why not make the most of the holiday and enjoy a change of scenery?

maymummy22 · 11/04/2025 12:48

Yes, I’d have gone. Had a walking holiday booked a few years ago; DD2 broke her knee, has op and was in crutches/hired wheelchair but we still had a good time. Some walks changed to low level/good paths, some me/DH did with DD1 whilst other stayed with DD2 and had ice cream etc. Still a break away, could eat out etc

CurbsideProphet · 11/04/2025 12:52

Ouch a fractured elbow that needed pins fitting sounds very painful. Whereabouts are you, ie North / South / East / West? There are lots of Easter events on at National Trust properties and farm parks.

Bingbopboomboomboombopbam · 11/04/2025 12:54

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!

Unless DD didn’t want to go or the doctor advised not to, I would. Better distraction than wallowing at home thinking about her broken elbow.

JellyBeanSpring25 · 11/04/2025 13:01

DakCien · 11/04/2025 12:05

So a quick yes/ no question. If you’d broken your elbow and been operated on with pins holding it all together a couple of days ago, would you happily jump on a crowded train and honestly say you would enjoy a holiday?

Yes - and we did! 8 year-old DD broke her wrist and thumb (bloody trampolines!) as well as severe bruising to thigh and ribs. Op to fix wrist 5-days before Disney, travelled by Eurostar. Yes, she was a bit uncomfortable but with pain killers and a bit of TLC, she soon forgot about it. We were careful in queues and some rides she just had to sit out and watch her brothers scream! She remembers that holiday with a lot of fondness. So glad we all went.

PhatGurlSlim · 11/04/2025 13:01

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?

I would modify that and provide a list of fun things to do and a list of nice things to eat and allow each of them pick an item from each list.

EachandEveryone · 11/04/2025 13:04

What a wet lettuce I cannot believe what I’m reading. I suspect the OP was taking them on her own and was glad to cancel it. Staying at home in the uk for a uk holiday that was already paid for is ridiculous and more expense. Who knows that the trains would be rammed and people would be pushing and shoving someone with a caste on? Not if you are pre booked and get there in plenty of time. I think this has all been a convienient excuse not to go. Poor kids.