to book a holiday for the family without telling DH?

[PavlovtheCat]

Been trying to get DH enthusiastic about going to centre parcs for a few days just before xmas next year. Just for a few days away from the grind together as a family.

He is likely going to working completely over the new year so I have picked a few days that he will be able to take off just before the rush. We might not get to spend much time over xmas together due to his work so thought it would be a nice thing to do. (actually, i need the break now which is why I am looking! with longing!).

DH is not disinterested, he likes the idea of it he is just a last minute person, does not like commiting, wants to check out better deals etc etc, and also does not want to spend lots of money as he has not been working for long in his job, so not 100% secure. He is also a ditherer and never gets around to 'doing' things, just talking.

If I wait for him to make a decision we might not be able to get what we want, it just won't happen.

So, AIBU to just go ahead and book it? and tell him afterwards that we are doing it? Only need to pay a deposit, which we can do right now and rest in sept, this means putting a few quid away each month which is completely possible, so even if his job does not work out it will be paid for and we will have a holiday if not able to go away at any other time (even if he is working this will be difficult to another time due to when he is busiest at work).

I did it!! The couldn't keep the secret so told him! It was also to Center Parcs for a Winter Wonderland break this year. Dh is hardly off work so we need the break.

I would NOT be fucked off if he booked me a break.

op have only just seen that you have one dc whos two so you wont have to do any of the expensive activites

Yanbu!

susie i also have a 5yo, so she will want to do some stuff, but she is easily pleased and would be happy with going for a swim every single day, playing on her bike and being able to chose where we eat out one time.

oh and just to emphasise. I would not be cooking very day. I have a husband who loves that shit, so he can do it . I just cannot imagine what on earth would cost us so much money in spending. We would do supermarket on route and eat out perhaps twice in the four days we are there.

We have not been to CP before, and before this year have not considered it, however several people we know have children and they go as it is relatively relaxing for them/children have a good time. We have done summer yurts and camping, but this will be harder this year as DH will be working hard over summer i should imagine given where we live, where he works and tourist season, so this break would be an ideal time to unwind for him and the rest of the family before the christmas busy period. And it will be too cold to stay in a Yurt even with a woodburner!

yankee nor would I. Absolutely not. I would be very pleased and excited personally. Even if it was not exactly where or what I would chose. unless it was in a grimy caravan in an 80's caravan park (but he knows that I would be a bit if he did that! But. I know what DH likes, and he would enjoy this.

So. I have booked it right up to pressing the button, it is there waiting to pay. i shall cook dinner and then tell him what I plan on doing and how much I intend to pay up front, when he gets home from work. He can then say No [i dare him] or yes dear what a great idea dear. His choice

Go for it , i would in your situation, just felt i had to mention the cost but you sound like you have it sussed and it will be a nice break

I pretty much do this all the time. If it was up to DH we would never go on holiday.

I can recommend CP it's lovely and christmassy

But know how you feel xh was a dither and used to annoy me to

I would do it.

We went to whinfell in December and loved it.

Have booked again for this December.

We did a few activities and ate out once. Tbh I wouldn't eat out again purely because we were so shattered in the evenings. It can be as expensive or as cheap as you want IMO.

Which one are you looking at Pavlov?

ok, DH said 'yeah, ok, do it, sounds lovely'.

then, a bit later, as we discussed the merits of it...

'don't you think £350 is a bit expensive for 4 days? do you not want to try to find somewhere cheaper? how much is the yurt we stay in? we could take a look around...' here we go-

'in winter?!!'

'no, the summer, we could go in the summer, I am wondering if we might get better value for money if we go to the yurt'

'yurt is booked for summer and you are likely working. how about you book the summer trip to a yurt/wherever, and I book the CP one. No reason we can't do both. Unless you don't fancy CP?...

'no no, CP would be great, book it' and then I said that some MNers had reservations about CP being enjoyable and he said 'really? i think it will be great...' so. Sold.

good.

He will try to change our minds again, but it will be too late as he has already said yes

norma looking at longleat, purely on distance, but open to suggestions if there are any others that are good (is that the new forest one?)

Whinfell is Cumbria, near the lake district.

Think they are all pretty much the same though.

We absolutely loved it. Stayed in a new style woodland lodge which was gorgeous.

Have you booked now?

You definitely should

DH and I have both organised holidays without the other knowing, and been really happy about it.

OP - despite that, I do understand exactly where you're coming from. I suggested to DH a couple of days ago that we go on Eurostar over to Paris at the end of Feb, when both DC have a weekend free. He said we'll think about it. I'm booking it!!

Having said that, we've been married donkeys years, so sort of understand how we each work. I bulldoze him into taking a holiday, and he bores everyone silly talking about it for two months after we get back!!

I don't see why you shouldn't plan and book things, especially if he's not much of a planner/organiser.

You do the research, take the responsibility, and do what (you believe) is best for everyone.

Ok, ideally say to him one evening " You know we've been talking about going to Center parcs, well I think I might book us in for the few days before XMas" (or whatever) if he says Um, hum, take that as a Yes !!

ie. possibly give him a chance to say "No" and if he doesn't then go ahead with it ! Sounds great ! Do it !

norma about to do it once kids are in bed. We are going for a woodland lodge too. Glad you liked it.

when does the winter wonderland type stuff start? do you know?

I see it's nearly a done deal, and he has, at some point at least, said yes !

Fab ! That's all you need !

the cumbria one looks fab, but that is too far i think, i like to not have to sit in a car for hours there, and then on the way home too. couple of hours travelling is ideal.

Think it starts around mid/end of November.

Oh yes we only go to whinfell as it's just over an hour from us.

Can't be arsed with hours of travelling for a weekend.

Glad you booked it! You were definitely NBU. After weeks of discussion and indecision from dh I once booked Christmas flights for myself and the dc and told dh he can sort his own flight out when he can make up his mind... He ended up paying considerably more to come with us . It did the trick and he is now much more willing to discuss and commit .

leQueen is your DH my DH? that is exactly what DH is like. And it drives me mad!

I BOOKED IT! And, I did it with DHs vague approval.

'can I have your debit card' (mine is in the kitchen).
'what you want to do it now? you don't need to do it right now do you?'
'what is the problem with doing it now?'
'well, er, er, nothing, its just...'
'good, give me your card'

AND. AND.
I asked him, while he was on skyrim if I could book the executive lodge for another £30 and he said 'sure'.

So. Executive 2bed lodge, booked for 10th Dec so it will be very christmassy !!!

I am very excited and i feel better that I did vaguely involve him after all, if only so he can;t complain.