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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not want my child to go to one of those Kids' Clubs at a holiday resort?

139 replies

LightTurquoise · 23/03/2016 20:01

I have a 7 year old, who is more than happy to be in the pool and do stuff with us, so was DS who is 4, but we went into the hotel entertainment and the kids' club was just finishing off. He wanted to join in and he couldn't, but it was possible me for me to book it. I'm just not sure I want him to think that's what a holiday is. I want him to know its spending time with family, etc.

OP posts:

Original poster

LightTurquoise · 23/03/2016 21:14

So you'd just trust the people looking after him? In the middle of Portugal?

OP posts:

SecretsAndStuff21 · 23/03/2016 21:14

I'd compromise. I don't much care for them but your child might love the experience.
My Mum was always very anti this sort of thing and thought it was " common".
Your child's holiday should be as much fun for them as it is for you.
Kids need to let of steam and be kids.
I would allow your child to experience as many activities and opportunities, and see what suits them.
Children are not an extension of yourself but individuals in their own right .

BarbaraofSeville · 23/03/2016 21:18

I'm sure that people employed to run kids clubs in Portugal are as competent as anywhere else. Why wouldn't they be?

If he want to go, let him for a day/morning or two.

Ragwort · 23/03/2016 21:21

Don't let him go and then check him every hour FFS - if you don't trust the kid's club - and it sounds as though you don't then just tell him he can't go and deal with the tantrum--.

If you are so against kid's clubs why book a resort with a kid's club? .

rookiemere · 23/03/2016 21:30

Agree with ragwort .
What's the big dilemma?

I'd have loved it if DS wanted to go to a kids club on holiday when he was younger, DH and I would have enjoyed the couple of hours peace, but as he didn't well there you go.

Surely if you don't want this facility it would be cheaper to go s/c in an apartment.

Original poster

LightTurquoise · 23/03/2016 21:34

Most of the resorts have a Kids' Club?

I'm not one to need a couple of hours alone with DH on holiday, we book the holiday with the children in mind.

We booked the resort for the other features... A resort isn't all about the Kids' Club, well not for me anyway

OP posts:

mummycof3 · 23/03/2016 21:35

Reading your replies, I wouldn't send my child if the staff don't speak English. Incase my child wanted something and the staff didn't know what they wanted.
I have used these clubs on a couple of holidays. And my boys loved them but they was for 2 hours a day and the boys only went 4 times in a 10 day hol. I wouldn't do 7 hours that's far too long. Find out if you can do just a few hours. You will enjoy the relaxation too for those couple of hours not having to keep one eye open while sunbathing.

Original poster

LightTurquoise · 23/03/2016 21:37

I'll have a word tomorrow

OP posts:

whois · 23/03/2016 21:55

Up to you. He might really like a day or two in the kids club!

I used to love having time in a kids club when I was on holidays with my parents. I got to do all kinds of fun activities, play with other children, and still spent lots of time with them anyway.

Witchend · 23/03/2016 21:56

My parents used to say things like"oh you don't really want to do that. You'll be so much happier doing x with us" ob that sort of thing.

Actually I did want to do it, and to have my request dismissed like that was quite hurtful. My siblings had no interest in doing it, so I always get I was wrong to want to do it and an oddity.
If my parents had let me once or twice I'd probably not have wanted to do it again.

DurhamDurham · 23/03/2016 22:00

When my two girls were little they thought the holiday clubs were compulsory like school
They loved them, I don't think sending them to spend two hours a day having fun painting, dancing and dressing up was too much of a hardship for them and we loved the peace and quiet. The rest of the time was devoted to meeting their needs so did I feel guilty? Did I heck!!

Branleuse · 24/03/2016 07:37

OP, you obviously dont want to let your children out of your sight, but you dont need to dress it up as sneery aghast at people who might want to use them, or how they could possibly trust people in the middle of portugal.

Use them or dont use them. Your son has expressed an interest, so you either say "yes ok dear, if you want to give it a try, then sure", or you could say "no darling, id rather you stuck with us "

whatevs

curren · 24/03/2016 07:46

You clearly don't want him to go so tell him no.

Or let him go if that's what he wants.

I don't get the angst. You make decisions everyday for your kids. Why is this one such a big deal.

You are on holiday, try and relax a bit.

curren · 24/03/2016 07:47

Why don't you trust Portuguese people?

WipsGlitter · 24/03/2016 07:51

Yes I would trust people in the middle of Portugal. What a xenophobic odd thing to say.

Stop angsting about this. Either let him go or don't.

And enough of the smuggery.

Obs2016 · 24/03/2016 07:57

How old are you OP? You sound very young. Why are even going to Portugal if you don't like it?
This whole thread is very very odd.
My ds's used to beg to go to holiday clubs for a few hours. They loved it! I can't believe they insist on the whole 7 hours, I suspect you've got that bit wrong.

exLtEveDallas · 24/03/2016 08:03

I choose holidays with DD in mind as well. She like to play with other kids and to take part in structured games away from the 'boring' adults. So we chose holidays with kids clubs that she could attend if she fancied it.

These days we choose holidays with waterparks because that is what she wants now she's older.

tinyterrors · 24/03/2016 08:06

If he wants to go then let him go. Just because it runs all day doesn't mean you have to leave him there all day, it's a kids club not prison.

I remember going on holiday and dying to join in with the kids club but wasn't allowed. Holidays are about having fun, whether that's going in family trips or going to the kids club for a bit.

I'd let him go for a few hours then pick him up. Explain that if he chooses to go then he will miss out on what you're doing and if he still wants to go then let him.

My dcs have always gone to the kids clubs for a little while each day, they go in the middle of the day so they're out of the worst of the sun or if the weather's particularly rubbish so they don't get bored. They've always loved the bit of time away from us and love having something to tell us.

Holidays are about having fun and doing new things not just spending every minute together.

xenapants · 24/03/2016 08:12

Good god, how do you cope when you actually have to make a decision about something important?! What a ridiculous load of handwringing over something so inconsequential. Just don't send him, they're not compulsory!

Original poster

LightTurquoise · 24/03/2016 09:32

Why did you go to Portugal if you don't like it? I'm sorry, but when did I ever say I didn't like it!? I love it here, that's why I've been coming my whole life and have been coming each year with the DC... What an odd question, so is asking how old I am! I'm not very, very young and just because I don't want to give my children away so I can get a break on holiday, doesn't mean I'm very young.

OP posts:

Original poster

LightTurquoise · 24/03/2016 09:33

I don't have an issue with people using them, I do have an issue if a child is crying and not wanting to go and still being forced in there, so the parents can have a break

OP posts:

HamaTime · 24/03/2016 09:58

It's non of your business if parents want a break. You are not the relaxation police or the crying oracle. You clearly do have an issue, it drips from almost every post with words like 'forced' and 'give my children away' and ' we book the holiday with the children in mind' and the weird xenophobia.

Original poster

LightTurquoise · 24/03/2016 10:03

I'm guessing your that parent then. Where the kid is crying. I can't believe you think that's okay.

OP posts:

Only1scoop · 24/03/2016 10:03

He wanted to join in that's lovely.

Stay with him and have a play and then do stuff together again.

Dd generally loves kids clubs....especially making t shirts and cookery etc.

She has souvenirs from over the years.

I was a real clinger and would never join in as a DC. I'm so happy to see her get stuck in.

Only1scoop · 24/03/2016 10:04

Crying and forcing them to go

Have you actually seen that happen Op

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