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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be p'd off at the child age restrictions impossed by holiday companies.

40 replies

WelliBob · 10/02/2011 14:39

Ok, I probably am being a teeny BU but it's so frustrating.

DD1 is 4yrs. Very able across the board academically and physically. We're looking to book a holiday and I've spent the morning on the phone to various tour ops about holidays we've seen that are active for the kids. Apparently, she's not allowed to join as she's not 5yrs. Ok, I'm presumming it's an insurance thing but why not insure from 4?

What's really getting to me though is that the clubs for her age are all, well, sedate. Nothing physical, active or adventurous at all. She does not want to sit and play ring a roses and do a craft activity. Why can't they sort out active stuff for her age group even if she can't do the other stuff??

We had the same last month at Center Parcs! She couldn't do lots of the stuff that her older sibling could and so had to sit with her little sister!

At home she does climbing wall, karate and archery and loves it. No insurance problems.

Why oh why even if insurance causes a problem with the 'bigger' activities can't the clubs for her age be more active.

Ok, rant over. AIBU?

OP posts:
Callisto · 10/02/2011 14:41

Why don't you hire a house somewhere and do whatever activities you want?

Original poster
WelliBob · 10/02/2011 14:41

.

OP posts:
Original poster
WelliBob · 10/02/2011 14:42

Hi Callisto, we often go to Devon/Cornwall and do that.
Just fancied a bit of sun/package hol this summer.

OP posts:
MadamDeathstare · 10/02/2011 14:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
WelliBob · 10/02/2011 14:51

Thanks, MD. I know it's not forever, it's just a shame that she can't take part. I do understand about the insurance. What I don't understand it why the clubs for her age are so very different. Why jump from totally sedate to being able to take part without a problem. Why not do mini assault courses or climbing walls or something. It was all indoor craft or 10mins on the swings.

We went to CP last month. Thought it would be ideal, and it will next year, I suppose.

Just wanted some sun and activities.

OP posts:
MrSpoc · 10/02/2011 14:54

i think YABU for not having her a year earlier.

Seriously they need to protect themselfes, not all 4 your olds are advanced as your child. they also need to have a cut off.

Sorry

MMQC · 10/02/2011 15:01

It's not just holiday places. My 4 yo daughter is at school but cannot sign up to any of the school holiday clubs and activities because she is not 5. Annoying though it is, it will pass ...

Original poster
WelliBob · 10/02/2011 15:01
Grin She's not a child genius! Just the walking at 9mth, out of nappies at 20mths kind of physically able girl IYKWIM. So whilst I describe her as able, she's not off the scale and I'm sure there must be loads of other able 4yr olds. It can't possibly be that most 4yr old would rather sit down with cutting and sticking then turn 5yrs and automatically wnat to do the ropes and rafting.
OP posts:
Original poster
WelliBob · 10/02/2011 15:06

MMQC, I haven't faced that problem yet as she's not 5 until Nov so doesn't start school until Sept. Hopefully, by the time she settles it will be her birthday.

OP posts:
GiddyPickle · 10/02/2011 15:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

julybutterfly · 10/02/2011 15:10

Try www.alpineelements.co.uk (I think that's right!)

Their kids clubs do activities in an age 4-7 group at their Greek hotel.

Original poster
WelliBob · 10/02/2011 15:12

Giddy, I know! It's just frustrating because I know my DD1 and I know what she can do. I also know that she'd hate what they seem to be offering the 4yr olds. Smile

OP posts:
twooter · 10/02/2011 15:14

Keycap used to have kidsclub from 4 - until my dd2 became4 , when the age limit got raised to 5.

onimolap · 10/02/2011 15:15

I think (standing ready to be corrected) that they say 5 because all children are school age by then, and a child who has begun at school is (sweeping generalisation) better able to conform to a group.

Original poster
WelliBob · 10/02/2011 15:29

Julybutterfly, thank you, I'll have a look.

Twooter, how vert typical! Grin

Onimolap, really?, that seems so arbitrary.

OP posts:
Original poster
WelliBob · 10/02/2011 15:32

Julybutterfly, they look great from their website! I'll give them a call and see what's included for a 4yr old.

OP posts:
Original poster
WelliBob · 10/02/2011 15:40

Oh, they seem great but I also have a younger DD and they don't do a creche club. The youngest child on holiday needs to be 4yrs! I guess that's fair enough. I have definitely added them to favourites though as they offer exactly the type of holiday we look for. So thank you!

OP posts:
stovies · 10/02/2011 15:50

I think it's purely an insurance thing. There is probably a huge hike for under 5s.

stovies · 10/02/2011 15:55

Oh and I'm surprised you couldn't find anything active at Centre Parcs.

WimpleOfTheBallet · 10/02/2011 15:57

Could it be to do with potty training?

coatgate · 10/02/2011 16:00

Poor you - have to entertain your children yourself then Grin Wink

GrimmaTheNome · 10/02/2011 16:00

If you're into watersports look at Neilson - they do active kids clubs and the 2-4s doesn't seem too passive (my DD was 11 when we went last year so I don't know exactly what the younger ones did except that it looked like everyone was having fun)

Under 2 years they do a creche but there's quite a large supplement for that.

You probably wouldn't want to do this unless you were into watersports yourself (or one of the other activities eg mountain biking depending which location).

Original poster
WelliBob · 10/02/2011 16:03

Wimple-Potty training? At 4yrs?

Coatgate, I don't mind entertaining them. I'm not looking for childcare at all. I want her to be able to do the activities she enjoys so she enjoys her holiday.

I only mentioned childcare to Julybutterfly as she recommended a fab website but the children all need to be 4yrs and DD2 isn't.

OP posts:
coatgate · 10/02/2011 16:07

I know Welli - I was being tongue-in-cheek. My DD would never go into clubs after an experience in Sardinia where no one spoke English and one of the helpers just wanted to kiss and cuddle her all the time (she was 4 and he was just being Italian). My DH and I spent all holiday taking it in turns to lie on a sunbed with a book whilst the other was in the pool with her, or the playground, or the sea, or wherever. Much better now she is older............ she still won't do clubs though.

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 10/02/2011 16:10

Have you looked at Club Med? i am sure they have clubs for the younger ones that are a bit more adventurous....