using the car/petrol in the summer holidays

[mamasmissionimpossible]

AIBU to want to use the car in the school holidays to take my dc's places other than the local park everyday. My dh says I am wrong to be using the petrol everyday as it is costing too much. I just feel it so boring to keep going to the same places day in and day out. We had a lovely day out by the beach today and I just felt it was soured by dh's attitude to the car use. I am SAHM and like to take the dc's out to visit places.

Save the money elsewhere and use the car.

scurryfunge - thanks. I do try to look out for free low cost day trips. But often they are 30 mins + drive in the car, which can consume alot. I do, however, feel it is worth as the we all had a great time. How can I save money in other ways to make it more economical for a day out?

Just what I was going to post. somewhere free, and picnic. To the beach, if you're near enough.

Depends entirely on your financial situation.

If you are struggling to feed your DCs, then yes, YABU.

If you can afford the petrol then YANBU to take the car quite often, it's important for children to get out and about. Especially if you go to 'free' places like the beach rather than theme parks.

I wouldn't have thought you'd need the car every day though, sometimes it's nice just to relax at home.

Might cost more in certain areas with public transport.

As a SAHM who drives, I would go insane if I chose not to use the car to take the DCs out. It doesn't have to be every day - 2 or 3 trips a week? Unless you're talking about 100s of miles...

I reckon you balance eco principles with the desire not to lose your marbles over entertaining the DCs for the summer.

We can afford it, but dh is tight frugal and likes to make savings where possible!

personally i wouldn't use it every day. i think you can have nice days at home and it's good for the children to be able to just occupy themselves in their own house/garden

but i certainly wouldn't be keeping myself cooped up for the entire holidays! your husband is crazy

I bet he wouldn't object to using the car if it was him at home all day with the DC.

bus/train costs a fortune here. I still feel guilty taking the car though. Even though I go mad staying at home with a squabbling 2 and 4 year old!

And saving money when you get there - as the others say - picnics, freebies like bike rides through big country parks, the beach, using Tesco tokens/local vouchers for entry to attractions.

well how about HE spends a week indoors with the kids.

ask him how he feels about it after that

I would make your own pack ups instead of buying food out.

I would search for free places to go to, ie beach, museums, parks,etc.

Cancel a luxury over the summer holiday only - newspapers, don't top up a mobile for a month or anything you can do without for a month. (I'm shopping at Aldi this month).

I know how you feel though - am 8m pg with a 4yo and 2yo also. I've even been using the car for trips I would normally walk because I'm sooo tired, and otherwise will be alternately sobbing and growling at kids by 2pm. But I still feel guilty! Even though it's not forever and there are plenty of people who hop into the car to go 200yds without a second thought.

We went to an aquarium about 45 mins drive away yesterday and they were so well behaved and absorbed and excited by the whole trip. It was one of those tickets that lets you in again free for a year, took a picnic, said 'no' firmly in the gift shop (OK, we had ice creams). Lovely day and totally worth the fuel.

What about selling educational day trips to your DH as part of the DC's eco education?

I don't drive but I take the kids out just about every day on the bus or train

we live in London though- so public transport's probably more feasible for us

For the love of God, how do some of you live with men like this?

chipping- I'm like this

I purse my lips every time dp looks longingly at his car keys of a weekend and make him catch a bus instead. It gives me waves of intense joy watching him fumble with an oyster card like a tourist

he he he

wish we lived in London with public transport links

Thanks for the advice. I do all the moneysaving things with regards to cheap day trips, driving economically, vouchers, picnics, living in aldi Petrol is probably the main expense.

I spend hours trawling the internet looking for events for the dc's and me. After all my research that's why I want to see them

SHJ - why??? Mind you, I crave to live in London again - I love the trains, busses, tubes.... sigh... it's different to living in the 'burbs and not being 'allowed' to use your car.

If someone genuinely can't afford the petrol that's one thing - but stingyness is an ugly trait.

Chip it's because I come from a long line of miserable eco warrior types and my dp drives about 1000 miles a week for work. Alone. In his massive diesel munching company car

rrrrrrrrr

also we really don't need to use it at weekends cos our pt links are good. I appreciate that if you haven't got other transport options you do need to use a car in the school holidays

thanks for your responses. I will have chat to dh about reasonable car use in the school holidays, hopefully we can come to a compromise.

i also wonder how everyone can live with men like these......are you not an equal in your relationships??

you need one leg in those trousers!!