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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:
XelaM · 11/04/2025 16:57

Muffinmam · 11/04/2025 16:41

Which family member had an accident? Why can’t you and the kids still go on holiday??

Her eldest daughter broke her elbow.

Definitely would still go on holiday.

StrangerThings1 · 11/04/2025 17:12

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 think I would have preferred to have gone if I were in her as at least it would have been a change of scene even if you couldn’t join in a lot of activities,
The top and bottom of the cast could have been temporarily taped to stop sand getting in
But as you are her mother you know best

Trendyname · 11/04/2025 17:17

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!

Yes there is a risk. I broke my arm on holidays and airlines needed a clearance from doctor for flying me. Air pressure can cause some harm but I don't remember all the details.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
MomOfTwoGirls2 · 11/04/2025 17:19

My sympathy to your poor DD.

I recently went on holidays 2 weeks after surgery on broken arm. It was quite uncomfortable. I was in fear of being jostled or tripping. Public transport was not fun. Escalators were particularly tricky.

It was a tough call to make, but I think you made the right call.

Do your DC have a Switch? How about some new games? That would cheer up my DC, temporarily at least. Or a visit to a toy store…

Your poor DD will be fairly limited to what she can do over next few weeks.

Mirabai · 11/04/2025 17:21

Trendyname · 11/04/2025 17:17

Yes there is a risk. I broke my arm on holidays and airlines needed a clearance from doctor for flying me. Air pressure can cause some harm but I don't remember all the details.

Show quote history

It’s the U.K..

mrsm43s · 11/04/2025 17:21

LardoBurrows · 11/04/2025 16:25

Everyone having a go at the Op, have you considered that Op might be a single parent and that the holiday booked might have been a Center Parks type holiday with loads of physical activities booked for the DC, where parents have to be present at those activities. She can't split herself in two and that would have meant either dragging her injured DD along to hang about while her siblings have fun or just cancelling all the booked physical activities. In which case there was no point going. And if one of your DC is not feeling 100%, it's always easier to look after them and manage everything and everyone from the comfort of your own home.

Op didn't ask if you all agreed with her decision (although you've made it plain that you don't), she just asked for a few ideas of what she can do to try and cheer her disappointed kids up.

Op is obviously already feeling fed up and disappointed at the turn of events, can we please stop putting the boot in and making her feel even worse.

Thanks

Well, 8f it was something like Centre Parks, I genuinely can't see why the 10 year old with a broken elbow couldn't happily spectate, so that her siblings didn't have to miss out on their holiday. And assisted transport could have been arranged with the train operators for the train journeys.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 11/04/2025 17:45

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?

No . For what it's worth I think you completely did the right thing. It's only just happened.

How are any of you going to enjoy it while she watches from the sidelines and it doesn't sound like a simple break either. Hopefully she'll heal quickly and I would definitely get it rebooked asap as suggested.

One option might be to cast around for a holiday clubs, beg a few away playdates, day activities for the other children so they are occupied and active. Then she can watch slightly older stuff like Harry Potter that might not be suitable for the younger ones

  • Visit a Museum or Zoo: Explore different exhibits and enjoy the sights and sounds.
  • Have a Picnic: Enjoy the outdoors with a relaxing picnic in a park or garden.
  • Attend a Movie or Concert: Enjoy a night out with friends or family.
  • Walks / Skavenger hunts /geocaching
  • Games - but everyone has to use their non-dominant hand. I assume she's broken the dominant one or crafting would be possible.
  • Learn to play the harmonica [you might regret that]
  • Family Duolingo challenge
  • Board games, left handed jenga
  • Food stuff, make smoothies or even ice cream. The blender is doing the work
Candlekiax · 11/04/2025 17:47

Muffinmam · 11/04/2025 16:41

Which family member had an accident? Why can’t you and the kids still go on holiday??

Read the damn thread or at LEAST the op updates.

XelaM · 11/04/2025 18:10

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 11/04/2025 17:45

No . For what it's worth I think you completely did the right thing. It's only just happened.

How are any of you going to enjoy it while she watches from the sidelines and it doesn't sound like a simple break either. Hopefully she'll heal quickly and I would definitely get it rebooked asap as suggested.

One option might be to cast around for a holiday clubs, beg a few away playdates, day activities for the other children so they are occupied and active. Then she can watch slightly older stuff like Harry Potter that might not be suitable for the younger ones

  • Visit a Museum or Zoo: Explore different exhibits and enjoy the sights and sounds.
  • Have a Picnic: Enjoy the outdoors with a relaxing picnic in a park or garden.
  • Attend a Movie or Concert: Enjoy a night out with friends or family.
  • Walks / Skavenger hunts /geocaching
  • Games - but everyone has to use their non-dominant hand. I assume she's broken the dominant one or crafting would be possible.
  • Learn to play the harmonica [you might regret that]
  • Family Duolingo challenge
  • Board games, left handed jenga
  • Food stuff, make smoothies or even ice cream. The blender is doing the work
Show quote history

Almost all of these activities are possible on a UK holiday 🤷‍♀️

I would understand if it's a pool & beach centred holiday abroad, but a holiday in the UK is very possible with a broken elbow.

GingerDoris · 11/04/2025 18:40

I'd have still gone. Even just for the change of scenery and then adapted the holiday a little for everyone. Maybe if some went off to do something adventurous, then I'd take my daughter with the broken arm to the cinema. Just time being away from home in a different place is often enough for a refresh as holiday houses are exciting. I hope she feels better soon though.

thaigirl · 11/04/2025 18:54

Watermill · 11/04/2025 11:45

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

This. Seems bloody bonkers to cancel and penalise all the kids for a broken elbow. Weird!

Turmerictolly · 11/04/2025 19:23

I think you were right not to travel, particularly if it was abroad. Your insurance wouldn’t have covered the injury and it’s not worth the risk unless you have deep pockets (although most European countries have far better health care than ours). Plus dd would be uncomfortable and in pain.
I do think a day at a beach or lido would be nice though, paddling, meal out etc. As others say, you can get protective covers to protect from splashes. Or could your dh take the other kids away for a few days and you and dd do more local things. You can just concentrate on her then.

faerietales · 11/04/2025 19:25

Turmerictolly · 11/04/2025 19:23

I think you were right not to travel, particularly if it was abroad. Your insurance wouldn’t have covered the injury and it’s not worth the risk unless you have deep pockets (although most European countries have far better health care than ours). Plus dd would be uncomfortable and in pain.
I do think a day at a beach or lido would be nice though, paddling, meal out etc. As others say, you can get protective covers to protect from splashes. Or could your dh take the other kids away for a few days and you and dd do more local things. You can just concentrate on her then.

They were going to the UK.

Bingbopboomboomboombopbam · 11/04/2025 20:05

DakCien · 11/04/2025 15:49

Thank you for understanding. This trip would have involved multiple trains and at least one of them would have been full so probably we would have been standing. I checked the train operator website and it confirmed all carriages minus 1st class were full. Seat reservations don’t mean a lot when you have to wade through a carriage full of people and luggage to get to them to see someone’s sat there already!

I trust I’ve made the right decision on this one.

Show quote history

Nah I always stand my ground on seat reservations - anyone can book them, not my problem if they didn’t. Off they go.

Bingbopboomboomboombopbam · 11/04/2025 20:07

thaigirl · 11/04/2025 18:54

This. Seems bloody bonkers to cancel and penalise all the kids for a broken elbow. Weird!

Show quote history

While I probably wouldn’t do it, I don’t think it’s that weird. OP was just conscious of her child’s health.

bittertwisted · 11/04/2025 20:16

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!

Yes
I fractured my elbow aged 10
Bone sticking out
Operation to pin it
Wasn't allowed a cast because they thought I would never get full movement again if it was set like that

Still went on holiday with my family

Jigsawasaurus · 11/04/2025 20:47

I don't blame you cancelling the holiday. My son broke his elbow (no op needed) and it was pretty tricky while he had his cast on because it was his dominant hand and of course he couldn't move his elbow. He also had to wear the sling all the time to support the cast. He didn't sleep well either because the cast was just in the way all the time. It was a pretty rubbish 6 weeks of the summer holiday!!

We like doing Treasure Trails. They're in loads of areas, so if there's one near you, they're really fun to do with kids. We sometimes go and do one as a day trip, but our city has a fair few too. I'd really recommend them, you can take as long as you need if you need plenty of stops.

CarrieOnComplaining · 11/04/2025 21:18

This is a good advert for taking out holiday insurance as soon as something is booked (unless it has good cancellation T&C like Bookings.com or Airbnb). Holiday insurance is not just for forrin, and can cover train fares etc

Catwench · 11/04/2025 22:31

We do alot of days out such as local farms, there’s loads of places with Easter events on over the next week, Easter trails and that sort of thing. You can make them as busy or as calm as you like. Ask on a local Facebook page if anyone knows of anything, that way you can see if she feels up to it on the day or the day before and go from there.

BeavisMcTavish · 12/04/2025 06:41

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!

Hmmm did exactly that! Fractured elbow so bought a massive plastic sleeve for the pool.

only thing he could do was the slides at the water park.

RampantIvy · 12/04/2025 06:53

Elbow fractures are nasty. DD is a radiography student and is currently revising upper limb fractures and has been explaining just how horrific they can be.

I hope your DD makes a speedy recovery @DakCien and that you can make the most of the Easter holidays 💐

Original poster
DakCien · 12/04/2025 08:25

Thank you all for the suggestions and well wishes for dd. I really appreciate it.
I can only assume the posters who have tried to make me feel like I have made the wrong decision, do not understand the extent of dds injury. That’s fine as I never intended on sharing full details.
I only posted on here for ideas to keep my children entertained. I didn’t originally ask if I’d made the right decision to cancel the holiday or not.

OP posts:
UpUpUpU · 12/04/2025 08:29

Did you have insurance OP? Sis the holiday lost or can the kids help you rebook something, even if it’s for next year?

Original poster
DakCien · 12/04/2025 08:39

UpUpUpU · 12/04/2025 08:29

Did you have insurance OP? Sis the holiday lost or can the kids help you rebook something, even if it’s for next year?

We managed to get a refund so will be re booking something as soon as we can. It will be days out this year and hopefully we can fit a holiday in for next year.

OP posts:
maymummy22 · 12/04/2025 09:05

That’s good news on the refund. In answer to your yes/no question, I said yes I would and have but you’ve made the right decision for you.
Could you book something a bit sooner than next year - even just a couple of nights somewhere away - maybe somewhere closer/cheaper but would be nice to have a break to look forward to.
lots of good ideas of activities in the meantime already given; I’m sure I’ll repeat some but:

  • download a ‘treasure trails’ for your local town or somewhere you can easily reach
  • museums/aquariums
  • scavenger hunt around the house or garden or local area or family photos in front of things to find (eg a tree, washing line, butterfly, traffic cone - whatever!)
  • somewhere like a model village with a playground for younger children
  • if younger DC enjoy swimming you could still go and older DD watch with a hot chocolate and book/ipad
  • make cakes or biscuits - DD can still measure, stir, decorate
  • any craft with stickers should be do-able
  • painting - create a family footprint or handprint picture; a blossom tree painting with fingerprints as the blossoms (could 4 of these for the 4 seasons with different colours)
  • if younger DC like running or scooting, DD could time them
You’ll be disappointed as well as the DC and it’s easy to think of all the things you/DD can’t do but try to look at all the things she can still do - or can be modified. And re the party - could you just take her to the party tea bit, assuming there are a one, so she can still see her friends?