To be sitting at my desk feeling terrible about leaving DS at a holiday club. Someone come talk me down!

[BeamMeUpSooty]

Our local village holiday club was full on five of the days I needed them, so in desperation I had to book DS (aged 6) into an unfamiliar club near where I work instead. It's a club attached to a school he doesn't attend, so he knows no one there.

Today was his first day. We got there and it was like walking into a youth club for the first time.

There was no one his age, no one looked up to greet us, and it was full of older boys standing around playing pool.

Now I've looked on the website and it says "this club is perfect for all ages, but is especially suited to older children". Argh! What have I done?

It broke my heart to leave him there, and left strict instructions they were to phone me if he looked like he wasn't enjoying it. The staff looked at me like I was mental. Going to phone to see if he's OK soon.

Would I be unreasonable to follow my instincts and to leave work and break him out of there?

Would someone come and tell me I'm just being silly? He's probably having a great time right now. It could be character building!

The worst that can happen is he doesn't have a great time for a few hours. It will be character building :) and he may well have a riot!

How many days is he booked in for? Give him a chance to give it a go today - the bigger children might love having someone to teach patronise.

Oh the older ones will love looking after him
Especially the girls
What were the staff like ?
Worry not !

What they said!

Hmm, in not going to pretend that he'll love it, but nothing awful will happen, the very worse that will happen is he won't enjoy it and won't want to go back.

Try not to worry, give it a chance for today at least, you might get a surprise and he liked it.

Don't feel bad it's bloody hard being a working parent.

Do let us know how he gets on.

If you feel bad about ringing them just say that you were worried as there didn't seem to be any other children his age.

If he is the youngest then the staff will probably give him extra attention. I don't think I'd break him out but I would call to see if he was ok. There's not much point breaking him until he's had the chance to see if he likes it.

Did you meet the staff?

breaking him out aargh! not breaking him

Thanks guys, you've made me feel better and get things in perspective.

There were two members of staff that I could see. They were friendly-ish, but not as warm or welcoming as at his other holiday club (but then there are much younger children there).

You're right, the worst that can happen is that he won't have a nice time and won't want to go back. He's booked in again for Monday so worst comes to the worst I could just take it as holiday.

Bless him! Going to ring now.

Phoned and they said he's having a good time, playing pool!

That's good. You never know more younger children may have arrived after you dropped him off.

My ds is 6 and seems to get on well with older children, they can patronise him a bit but it goes over his head.

When we walked in it never actually occured to me that he might actually enjoy himself, so feel much better to hear he's playing, not sobbing in a corner. Plus, it could widen his horizons a bit, playing with older kids.

Oh that's a relief :)) so glad you phoned !

My ds who is nearly 13 recently did a rugby camp where there was one boy much younger than the rest and he said everyone was extra nice to him. I don't think it's ever cool to pick on a young kid.

It'll be fine, but I understand how you feel

IMO older children, especially boys, are usually very kind and patient with younger children. I hope he has a good time.

My 5 year old DS goes to football camp with a load of 8 year olds and adores it. He bombs around trying to get the ball and won a trophy last holidays for the person who tried the hardest and showed the most enthusiasm. He is going for two weeks this time at his request and can't get enough of it. We're not even a keen footballing family.

I did something similar years ago with mine out of desperation.

They didn't enjoy it but they lived and they still pull my leg over it!

As others have said the worse thing would be he didn't really enjoy it. Not the end of world stuff but it gets you out of a tight spot.

You

You'll probably find he's disappointed that he can't go back until Monday!

Ah....I bet the older kids are teaching him! They'll do other stuff later too op...maybe crafts or organised games....he'll be like a pet for them!

He'll have a much better time-centre of attention. Dd1 once did a ballet holiday week where she was the youngest by 2 years and she got totally spoilt by the older ones. I felt a bit sorry for the two who were 7yo, and still younger than the rest by another couple of years because dd1 was fought over by all the older ones.

I did have to work the "talking in a cutey kind of way" out of her afterwards, but she loved it.

I can remember going to holiday club as a child and loving it! Always run by enthusiastic young people and always the potential for learning a new skill every day. I hope your DC's holiday club is like that. They have to keep them entertained or there'd be mutiny. I'm sure he'll be fine.

And if nothing else, at least he'll come back knowing how to play poker like a pro.

And I expect he'll be able to shuffle cards and pick a lock too.

Only joking OP!

Once had to take my 6 year old niece to work with me as my BIL was rushed to hospital and sister went with. I worked in a pretty rough school and the 15 year old bottom set kids in my rough inner city comp. were absolutely wonderful with her... Although one of the boys did shout at the whole class "watch your shitty mouths there's a fucking little kid here"!