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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not to go on holiday?

51 replies

BikeRunSki · 23/01/2014 22:13

So, I know that if I want to go on holiday integer summer, then I need to think about booking somewhere/thing.

We have ds (5) and a dd (2) and only I have a passport in date, so staying in UK.

DS started school this year, so we are now tied to school holidays. We can afford £800 all in.
Now, we could get a cottage somewhere mic for around £600. But for a cottage holiday end up shopping, cooking etc. I don't consider this this to be a holiday tbh. I would camp (love the outdoors), but DH won't anymore (he knows what he's talking about, we used to camp a lot).

I have looked at Bluestone, CentreParks, Butlins Etc, but a week in school summer holidays is well out of our price range. So I'm beginning to think we won't bother with a holiday. I would love a break, but seriously self catering with 2 small children, is not a holiday.

OP posts:
VampyreofTimeandMemory · 24/01/2014 07:48

for me, the best thing about a holiday is just everyone having a break from work and a change of scenery but of course yanbu if you don't consider it a holiday, maybe just spend £800 on something you do want!

Mikkii · 24/01/2014 08:03

We tend to go abroad as we have access to accommodation for free.

When we do go away in the UK we cheat, we take frozen pre cooked meals, such as frozen bolognaise sauces (reheat and add freshly cooked pasta), BBQ plus salad, frozen chilli (add fresh bread)

diddl · 24/01/2014 08:04

Is it just the catering that puts you off?

Why is husband a rubbish cook??

Could he at least meal plan & shop?

ZingSweetApple · 24/01/2014 10:19

oh and we always go to self catering cottages.

I like the coziness of them.

Creamycoolerwithcream · 24/01/2014 11:43

I'd go for a staycation instead. Alternate between big days out and swimming/parks/picnics and lots of takeaways or M&S easy meals. Some evening meals with the DC and some with just DH. You and your DH could each other a day of to do whatever you want. I think you could have a lovely week for about £250. You could use some money for toys for the garden/home/take to the park or crafty stuff.

5Foot5 · 24/01/2014 13:27

Thing is, wherever we go, if it is self catering - then it's not a break for me.

So what would your DH be doing - sitting around playing the "I am so rubbish in the kitchen" card while you do all the work?

Does he want a holiday? If so, what would happen if you explain that this year you can only afford SC but that is not going to happen unless he does his fair share.

BackforGood · 24/01/2014 13:34

Of course YANBU if none of you want to go on holiday, but we used to self cater all the time when mine were little and I think it's by far and away the most relaxing holiday. Most days we'd either have a pub meal or get fish and chips on the front, and then have a picnic type meal for the other meal of the day. Occasionally we'd throw some pasta in a pan if we didn't want to go out, but hardly slaving away in the kitchen.
I loved those holidays and the dc have great memories which I think it would be a shame to have missed out on, but, it's up to you.

Ragwort · 24/01/2014 13:39

I think family holidays are seriously over-rated Grin - we won't be having a 'family' holiday this year but I might go away for 2-3 nights with DS and my DH will do the same. We may go and stay with friends/family or have a couple of nights in a Youth Hostel.

To me it's a load of stress in an unfamiliar place but I know a lot of people just love holidays and find them really relaxing.

Quenelle · 24/01/2014 13:44

With a bit of forward planning you could cater for one week in a cottage without much effort at all. Plan to eat out on some days and take prepared meals for the days you eat in the cottage.

And if your DH is too rubbish to contribute to the meal preparation he can do the washing up can't he?

HelloBoys · 24/01/2014 13:50

IKWYM.

My mum has a holiday home in France (half way between La Rochelle and Bordeaux).

last year I went there for a week with her and family friend. My mum hates eating out (her restaurant tastes are very expensive, vair naice food) - so we cooked every day.

However, we also ate at a lovely beachside restaurant/cafe at Meschers, went on day trip to La Rochelle where we ate out and in evening and a few restaurants in town where the house is too. plus lots of tea/lunch/picnic type lunches.

I do know what you mean though can be a bloody great pain cooking, washing up etc and we didn't even have kids!!

this year if me and the boyfriend go we're eating out and eating in.

Original poster
BikeRunSki · 25/01/2014 09:09

I didn't say DH was a reluctant cook, I said he was a rubbish cook. He will make stir fries and fish finger sandwhiches enthusiastically all day.

Anyway, thanks to YellowDinosaur we looked at Crieff Hydro. We looked again and again and again and loved it. It looks just right for us and is a not too bad drive (well, 5 hours). Then we drank some wine, got out the credit card and booked it! Fed up of being cautious. 6 hours childcare and everything included in the price seemed to make it very good value for August! We have chosen s/c so the DC can go to bed and we can stay up, but we have the option of eating in the hotel if we want. They do Kid's High Tea in the late afternoon. Feeding the DC tea is one of the most stressful meals of the day, I'll happily pay for that.

We have a winner all round, we just may need to sell some kidneys.

OP posts:
diddl · 25/01/2014 10:37

" I said he was a rubbish cook."

He'll only get better if he practices!

Artandco · 25/01/2014 11:03

I don't get a how people can be such rubbish cooks. Sure maybe not gourmet or homemade. But pasta, jar sauce and some veg?? The pasta packet even tells you how long to cook it.

Glad you booked holiday and hope you enjoy, but I would encourage him to cook more. My dh was a lifesaver being able to cook good food when I had 16 weeks bed rest in last pregnancy. And i took over when he was injured skiing. We've always cooked 50/50 but one person should be able to take over if needed as you never know when.

It's the same reason I gradually teach independence with our children. They are only preschool right now but I know they can wee alone/ get a yogurt/ snack/ shoes on etc if for whatever reason I couldn't.

Original poster
BikeRunSki · 25/01/2014 20:11

Artandco I couldn't agree more. T be fair, DH can cook a packet of pasta and a jar of sauce, but I would really rather eat fresh food. I do have issues with how MiL raised her DSs not to be very self reliant domestically. They both went from home to catered halls of residence. DH then worked in an industry with a lot of travelling (staying in Travel Lodges and eating in Harvesters!) before getting married and BiL just got married.

AS yours, Art, our children (5 and 2) are a lot more independent. I havn't quite taught DS to sew on a button yet, but it will come!

OP posts:
PasswordProtected · 25/01/2014 20:17

Please do not discount Europe. Hotels are generally cheaper & better value than in the UK. Eating out is also a lot cheaper as there is more of a culture of eating out here.
Have a look at Logis de France or Trivago.
Your main cost will be crossing the channel.
You still have plenty of time to sort out passports etc.
You might also consider booking something from a European airport, such as Frankfurt. Lots of good deals to be had.

Musicaltheatremum · 25/01/2014 21:02

Enjoy Crieff hydro. There is lots to do and lots of days out to have.

Original poster
BikeRunSki · 25/01/2014 22:15

Thanks Password, neither of my children travel well, and the horror of DS throwing up for 3 hours on the airport transfer last time we went abroad is fresh in my mind. We are a long way from the coast for crossing the channel. Seems a shames to use a day's leave just getting to where we need to be to start travelling IYSWIM.

Anyway. Crieff Hydro booked. Looking at all the things to do now. Confued now about what the book in advance.

OP posts:
YellowDinosaur · 25/01/2014 22:51

Really glad you've booked Crieff hydro bikerunski and hope it lives up to my recommendation! I'd book the childcare in advance but other than that we were able to book all the things we wanted when we got there with no problems. Have a fab time :)

YellowDinosaur · 25/01/2014 22:56

And we stayed the night before arrival in a family room in the Travelodge in Perth as then we could arrive and use the facilities for a whole day rather than spending it in the car.

sugar4eva · 25/01/2014 23:02

We do self catering and I get assa to deliver to the cottage bliss!also you could buy a caravan for 800 and have adventures!

sugar4eva · 25/01/2014 23:03

I meant asda ! Ie on line to cottage address :no shopping!

MrsDandBaby · 25/01/2014 23:10

I have fab memories of crieff hydro as a child (though older than yours). Lots of Scottish dancing in the evenings if that's still going!

Original poster
BikeRunSki · 25/01/2014 23:12

I know what you meant eva. We did a big deliver to our holiday cottage in the Lakes a couple of years ago, filled it for the week and it didn't work....had to throw out our lovely Sainsbury's stuff and go to local Spar.

YellowDinosaur I can't find a bad word said about them anywhere! I told me mum and she is Envy. Apparentky she has wanted to go there her whole life - when she was a child her cousins went there every year and she and her DBs went to a 2nd rate seaside town (not even the really well known one next to it) in the same county as where they lived.

OP posts:
Marylou62 · 26/01/2014 09:11

We could never afford a holiday so one year we put tent up in the garden, and me and DH took turns sleeping with oldest DC.(youngest in her own bed so no disruption) We had takeaways and days out but from home. Worked for us and they still remember it!

NightCircus · 26/01/2014 09:18

You could get a cottage and get those 'cook' ready meals for the freezer or even Marks ones.
Or maybe stay with family for a few days and do days out where they live.
We're using my parents as a base this summer (midlands) and going out all day to space museum etc.
We'd planned to do this but staying at my parents instead.
www.goleicestershire.com/short-breaks/stayplayexplore.aspx