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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not choose holidays based on what there is for the kids to do?

160 replies

MrsWinnibago · 15/07/2014 13:29

It's struck me that I'm the only one of all the families I've talked to recently that doesn't choose holidays based on what there is for the kids to do.

I've just never even considered it! Mine like the beach, the countryside, shops and walks as well as walking round castles and towns they've not been to before.

They like shops and galleries and they just seem to enjoy new places.

I was talking to my sister and she was suggesting a particular resort as it has a good kid's club and other things that would appeal to most kids she said.

She went on to say that I'm selfish as I never book anywhere like that. Am I?

Our kids are similar in age...between 6 and 10.

OP posts:
pictish · 15/07/2014 14:19

I think if you get used to these things, you can't imagine how kids can amuse themselves without on-tap entertainment. But actually they can. Very easily.

I agree.

Heels99 · 15/07/2014 14:19

Well they are missing out!

jamtoast12 · 15/07/2014 14:20

I think the focus is going too much on kids clubs though- You can go to these large complexes and avoid this kids clubs. We got every year they often have several huge pools, big play parks, multiple water slides, on the beach etc. we don't use clubs and now and again we use the entertainment.

The ops sister may be simply recommending the on site facilities too which come with the big complexes but you can dip in and out as you wish. We literally spend the entire time together so worth not confusing the two as you can have a kids centered holiday without avoiding them all day. The bonus for us is that they have everything in one place to try. E.g our last one had all the above plus parasailing, canoes and scuba diving etc all on the attached beach and on offer all day.

Even though we we with our kids all day, we find it more relaxing for us when thee are activities for the kids to do. Some kids simply would not enjoy some of the ops holiday activities e.g museums and galleries and that may be the ace with her sisters kids.

DogCalledRudis · 15/07/2014 14:23

Depends how old the DC are. 8+ can pretty much enjoy an adult holiday. For younger ages it is important that there are kids facilities on your destination. Playground, swimming pool, other kids, etc.

BeatriceBean · 15/07/2014 14:29

We've stayed in holiday cottages and sometimes gone and swum in a local pool, but not felt the need to stay on a whole complex. We're housesitting near london next and intend to explore in London again, which they've loved. We're also planning camping trips.

Not sure why we'd need a pool onsite to swim but one holiday we will! I guess we don't do sitting around/staying in one place all day type holidays.

Notso · 15/07/2014 14:31

Not considering the children would mean to me DH and I dragging them round bars all day and then leaving them with a babysitter to go clubbing all night. It would be us having the kind of holiday we would have without the DC with the DC IYSWIM.

Your just talking about doing things you all enjoy on a standard family holiday.

We have been to a couple of holidays with kids clubs. We didn't use them, DH and I were a bit unsure and the DC weren't interested. We didn't enjoy the entertainment side of things at all.
I don't really like all inclusive, or staying in a hotel with the DC either unless we get a massive suite.
I prefer to get a villa with a pool. I love having a private pool and the space to relax without anyone else around.
We go to waterparks, the beach and other trips but we all enjoy those.

That said I would happily go on a completely child centred holiday to Florida or Centre Parcs for example.

Stinkle · 15/07/2014 14:33

We're probably a bit like you.

I really don't holiday camp type places with kids clubs, arcades, bars and entertainment.

We go camping, rent a cottage, whatever and go to the beach (they love stuff like kayaking and body boarding), hire bikes, walks, kite flying, visit local attractions etc.

We tend to use wherever we're staying as a base, then go out and about

We have been camping to a Park Resorts type place with friends, the kids enjoyed it, but other than the pool, didn't really use any of the other stuff (entirely through their choice), they just wanted to go to the beach.

We've also been to hotels with kids clubs, which we used as a baby sitter if we wanted a nice lunch/dinner or something. It was nice to be able to chill by the pool for an hour with a book, but it's not something we consider when booking

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 15/07/2014 14:33

I thought my DCs would turn their noses up at the kids clubs on the cruise, in fact DS really didn't want to go and sign up for it on the first day, we were fully prepared for them not to bother with them as they have always spent their entire holidays with us in the past but they absolutely loved it once they'd tried it.

Stinkle · 15/07/2014 14:33

Oops, I really don't like

FriendlyAmoeba · 15/07/2014 14:37

My parents did a lot of Disney vacations growing up. But there's stuff for adults there too, and here in the US it's not considered weird to be an adult Disney fan.

For the most part, as long as you're not bar hopping or going to strip clubs, there's nothing you can do that the kids can't join in on. The key is to include the kids a little in the planning. Ask what they want to do, and try to include those activities.

ithoughtofitfirst · 15/07/2014 14:39

OP your children enjoy their holidays because YOU are fun to be with. Castles are awesome when you're a child and when you're adult. Fact.

Artandco · 15/07/2014 14:40

Dog - mine are both under 8. There is usually a pool or beach but often no park, no other children, etc.. They love it! They have each other for child entertainment and see plenty of kids all year around so 2 weeks without is fine. Tbh dh and myself rarely talk to other adults either abroad unless needed so same equivalent.

Our ideal holiday is small boutique hotel with large bedroom. Ie max 10 hotel rooms. Jacuzzi ( pool not nessesary). Breakfast provided by hotel on own balcony/ terrace. Small Restaurant at hotel , but also many nearby. Located on edge of small town, preferably near sea or lake. Historical stuff within an hr drive. Minimal other tourists! Temp 27 degrees +

ElephantsNeverForgive · 15/07/2014 14:41

It depends on your DCs. DD1 (now 16) has been delighted to go anywhere new since she was a baby. She doesn't care. Just so long as at some point in the day there was somewhere she could climb about and let of steam, she was/is really really easy.

DD2 is not so easily pleased, she likes some age appropriate activities included and other DCs her own age to play with. She also appreciates kiddy food.

The latter is the one thing I object too. Since we all like swimming and non of us would go anywhere hot without a pool.

MexicanSpringtime · 15/07/2014 14:46

I remember being taken to Butlin's for an afternoon, because I had nagged so much about it. It was one of the most boring afternoons I ever experienced.

MomOfTwoGirls2 · 15/07/2014 15:04

Different strokes for different folks... Or even just at different times.

Our DDs are a bit older at 10 and 12. They love new places, city breaks, etc. But we make sure to do activities that they enjoy. We are thankfully at the stage that we can balance stuff DH and I want to do (sight seeing, exploring new places), and stuff they want to do. But I wouldn't choose some place that didn't have enough activities for them. And we do love to have access to a pool.

However, they also like big resort holidays. Kids club will depend on how interesting the activities are. DH hates those type of holidays so DDs and I head off on our own.

Mim78 · 15/07/2014 15:07

Agree with others - you are considering your kids. Each to their own and all that...

Dd and I both really like a pool on hols but we haven't only done that.

Mim78 · 15/07/2014 15:12

wednesbury I want your name!

budgiegirl · 15/07/2014 16:12

When my DCs were little, all they needed was a pool or beach and they were happy, we used to rent an apartment in Menorca, in a quiet complex with no entertainment if any sort, and they made their own fun.

But now they are older (young teens) I've found they do need a bit more from a holiday, and we've switched to large all-inclusives with water parks, organised sports, kids clubs that they can dip in and out if as they please. I think they would now be bored with our old style of holidays

There's no one way that is right or wrong, it just depends on your children. I think though that until you've tried the 'kids club' type holiday, you don't can't really know which they'd prefer

maninawomansworld · 15/07/2014 16:48

It depends what your kids enjoy OP.

As a child I hated kids clubs and all that stuff. I was always badgering my dad to go diving with him on holiday or more adult things like that.

Hopefully my boys will be the same way as I can't bear anything that advertises itself as 'family friendly', but only time will tell!

LewisNaiceHamilton · 15/07/2014 16:57

We have one teenage ds. When he was younger, the beach, museums, zoos and whatnot and hanging out with us more than sufficed. As he's got older, I can see how some sort of organised thing with members of his own species age group might appeal. Not all day, every day - just the possibility of escaping the olds.

It's probably different if you have more than one and to be fair he's not actually expressed a wish to go on a holiday with a teens club (although I've considered it recently for the first time).

BitOutOfPractice · 15/07/2014 17:00

MY DP's ex thinks we should holiday where DSS wants to. I don't. If he wants to come, come. IF he doesn't, don't. His choice.

YANBU OP

queenofthemountain · 15/07/2014 17:02

I don'ty understand your thread? You are choosing things your DC enjoy?
People don't pick holidays with kids clubs for the kids, they do it to give themselves a break.

IamSlave · 15/07/2014 17:02

savethemockingbird we are like you.

Op I dont get it either....I am the only one in all of my circles, who just goes on normal holidays Confused A "resort" booked through travel company isnt my thing at all...I book my own b and bs or self catering and flights...

I mean.....everywhere we go there are playground for local children....the sea? what more do they need or want?

My DD has enjoyed the countries we have been too, just for them being exciting nad new....as much as the play grounds....

We went to Paris recently, did all sights with some stunning play grounds thrown in...

We just do normal stuff with the odd playground, petting farm, etc thrown in?

We very much go away to try and learn and see new cultures....

IamSlave · 15/07/2014 17:02

savethemockingbird Lyon sounds wonderful....is on my list to do!

IamSlave · 15/07/2014 17:06

Just going to a resort and never leaving it would be hellish for me.