Tricky- manageable half term ideas?

[Kittkats]

I really want to not waste half term. I’ve got the week off. 2 dc at home (12 and 14) who would love to do something together.
The challenge:

1. limited funds. I could manage £500 on credit card for a short break (eg camping) but that may not be possible because
2. DH had a stroke a few weeks ago and has various health issues. He’s scared to go camping because he’s feeling the cold (fear is a bigger problem than cold), can’t walk more than 100m (with breaks) and has cognitive issues so couldn’t manage alone more than 7 hours (assuming I prepare meds/meals/ drinks)
3. we have 2 dogs (though older dc could mind)
4. Dh currently has a virus. Dc 14 and I have had it and we’re laid low for a week, DC 12 may yet get ill

What can I/we plan/ do??? I’m sick of wasting leave in the house because of DH health (it’s been one thing after another since 2024 🤯) but don’t want me/ the kids to miss out. We had promised a camping trip pre stroke…

Can you get a friend or family to come and stay with DH?

These are things my age love that don't take all day but would give you a break, and if you could afford a mini break then you can afford some expensive activities

• indoor skiing/donutting
• paddle boarding/kayaking

-karting

• bowling plus some money for the arcade games
• cinema
• crazy golf or going to the driving range
• escape rooms
• indoor parachuting (iFly)
• ice skating
• waterpark type places

Buy a hot tub! I know, I know, but. I was finally pursuaded to get one by the teens and we love it. Its relaxing. Its screen free time with the kids and it feels like we are on holiday every single time we get in it!

The weather is fab for the next few days too. The teens can help set it all up too.

Best £300 I've spent in a while!

You could.also totally set up camp in the garden and do star gazing a couple of nights.

https://www.parkholidays.com/holidays/search?tf[bookingType.keyword]=Unit&tf[parkCode.keyword]=RV,GD,BT&cf[0][k]=noOfSleeps&cf[0][v]=4&cf[0][o]=gte&cf[1][k]=noOfNights&cf[1][v]=4&cf[1][o]=eq&cf[2][k]=arrivalDate&cf[2][v]=2026-05-25&cf[2][o]=eq

I have health problems that mean I couldnt camp and we often book an air BnB. They don't have to be expensive.

If your DH can't walk far, does he have a wheelchair? You sound quite disdainful about DH and his health struggles and I suspect you both need some therapy (together and separately). I can't walk far and I can't camp but the whole family support me and we spent some family money on an electric wheelchair for me

Get yourself on booking.com and do a flexible date search for 3 nights next week, there’s cottages in the Lake District for under £500 that accept pets.

Do you have family you could travel to stay near? Then DH can stay with them and you can take the boys out.

You are going to need to get strategic and start building a network if your DH is this unwell

Honestly, keep it small. Picnic in a beautiful park. Take a frisbee and a football and let the kids have some independence.

local foodie market

areange for their friends to come over or meet them at the park.

cinema.

I’m reading that you really want to go camping, totally understandable.

If DH can be left for a few hours at the tent, why not spend your budget on the best and highest r-rated SIM for him, and the best sleeping bag/duvet for him so he doesn’t get cold. Buy some cheap instant heat packs so no hassle for you and besides, half term nights are due to be lovely and mild.

You need a break. Either he accepts carers so you can have one or he has to compromise so you have one, There are no other options. You need a break and if his conditions are affecting the children so badly that there have been safeguarding referrals, I assume the children are also in desperate need of a change of scene. Be clear with him, tough thought it will be.

Buy him a really comfortable camping chair and try to book a wild-ish site where you and DC can do things quite close to camp?

And if he doesn’t have a wheelchair, you could hire one from Red Cross or local similar place, for a few days

We aren't going away because I have work (as I do pretty much every half term holiday) and my DCs are happily staying home, making plans with friends, and they are going on the inflatables at the swimming pool (£8 each) and the clip and climb (£10 each).
I may also set them some challenges for their Scout badges.
ETA they are 12 and 14. Or will be on Sunday - must wrap DD presents!

Why not just go camping? I have cancer and other chronic illnesses. Camping completely wipes me out. But Dh is taking both dc camping over half term. I’ll stay at home with the dog. It is a bit tricky for me because I could have a medical emergency, but they just check in with me and I’m careful when I’m home alone. Alternatively, we did go camping recently. I did end up in hospital after as it took it out of me, but I scraped myself along so everyone could get a weekend away.

Same with day trips. Go do things you enjoy, lots of free stuff, take a picnic, the beach, river to splash around in, an activity they enjoy. Dh can rest at home or come and bring a chair and sit in the shade with a cool drink. Other days, we potter about at home so I can still be with dc but not be completely exhausted.

I’d pay for a spring clean and a gardener and then take the kids wild camping for 2/3 nights.

You are close to burnout and that’s not going to help anyone.

Try Haven, John Fowler or one of the other cheap and cheerful holiday parks for last minute 3 night deals. You’ll be self catering so can make your own lunches/dinner to keep the costs down and the dc’s can swim, sunbathe, players on the beach.

If the older kids are able to mind dogs, would they be able to mind the kids? I'm thinking if you found a campsite quite near your home you could go, take dogs, set up camp, spend the day there then have one of your older kids come and stay in the camp to look after the younger ones while you go back with DH. You might be able to cover a couple of nights with one or other older DC supervising overnight?

Nothing to suggest in terms of where to go but have you had a Carer's Assessment? You can ask for one from from Adult Social Care. Some LAs have Carer's Grants. You can get a small grant (mine was £250) which is to be used to help you get a break. Use it to pay for carers for a few days and just accept that he won't like it. You and the DC definitely deserve some joy.

I’m not disdainful. I’d be interested (genuinely!) to know what gives that impression.
I am burnt out.
He has an electric wheelchair but doesn’t use it.
Ive suggested air bnb/ hotel/ whatever- he says they’re too expensive/ too far/ nothing special.

DH doesn’t like my sister or mum

DS has uni, DD is on holiday with a friend.

I think you have a DH problem

Definitely. He needs help but is refusing all the available help.

You need to break. This doesn’t sound sustainable at all. He doesn’t get to be ill AND refuse all sensible help / aids.

yYou say he only sees you? Do you see his medical team? Can you both access MH support through that?

I’m waiting for a carers assessment.
it’s been over a month and I’ve heard nothing.
I need a way to access what relaxes me I suppose. Nature, peace, water, a glass of wine, sunshine, a good book.
The kids need freedom, family bonding, experiences beyond the mundane.
We live in the city. I can read and drink here, but that isn’t the healthiest plan! Kids can do indoor climbing, bowling… but the climbing is a regular thing anyway. I feel like we all need a break from the norm. There isn’t even a swimming pool nearby (didn’t reopen after lockdown).

See if you can get a last minute few days in the Lake District or north wales, cheaper hotel or a caravan.
Perhaps a little glamping hut or something, leave you DH in the accommodation and get yourself out enjoying the sunshine, paddle boarding etc.

Your DH is being selfish by not accepting support from others especially given his health issues have gone on for so long.

We very nearly booked a little glamping break, but DH was offended when I said we could go swimming without him (“what, leave me in the shed for an hour like a lawnmower?”,” what’s the point in me going to sit in a different chair?”) and now won’t go again.
in my mind it’d be nicer to sit somewhere beautiful than to sit in our lounge with curtains drawn, but it seems he disagrees. It also seems he resents being left alone, but I honestly can’t spend my life in a dark room.