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

[LightTurquoise]

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.

Just read through this. I think quite a few have been really horrible to the OP.
Im,going to stick my beak in.
My sister worked in a kids club in Marbella Spain. Most if any have child care qualifications. Anyone can do the job. Re trust, I wouldnt trust anyone to be honest. You just never know!
Would I put my kid in a kids club? Yes for an hour or so whilst I Was still hanging around the hotel pool etc. Would I go out for day and leave child at kids club? No way, anything could happen.
I think the OP sounds like a lovely normal mum that cares for her child.
I think some on here have made stuff up in their comments and assumed stuff about the OP.

I am almost 100% that they speak English as well as Portuguese ... In fact I wouldn't believe anyone that said they didn't.

I think it would be kind of selfish not to let him spread his wings and do what he wants to do. IMO I think it bothers you that he doesn't want to do what you would like him too. As the kids grow up this will happen more and more. You're going to have to have some confidence in what he wants and go with it. If you ask him on the day 'we are doing this but you can go to kids club' he can choose and then you've given him the option. You sound a little overprotective saying that you'll check on him hourly, maybe once and if he's happy enough then leave him to it. He might make some great pen pals, learn some Portuguese, a new skill and he's happy because you've let him do what he likes.

if I had been young and had wanted to go to a kids club but had been dragged elsewhere I would've had the hump all day and wouldn't of enjoyed myself anyway and my parents probably wouldn't of either because of that.

I used not see the point of them. Similar reasons: holiday = family time. However, dd2 came along. She thrives of the hustle & bustle of group activities. She is very intense and needs non-stop entertaining, while the others are quite happy to play in the pool of whatever while we watch from the shade. We put her in a kids club on her request and she absolutely adored it. She sort of needs it for holidays to be fun.
I think that those that have bad memories of such clubs, have them because it was enforced. With us it's up to the child. My eldest 2 hated the idea of them, my 3rd adores them, no4 is too young for them and I don't think she would like them, but who knows what she will be like as a 6-7yo.

And we always discuss our plans for the day so she can choose what she would think is more fun: club or our own activity (or lack of activity

OP why not just grow a pair and write the post you really wanted to? Why dress is up as a 'should I...' When what you meant was 'I want to come and have a bitch about how inferior other parents on holiday are'? And 'my precious snowflake should never have to be dumped with all of the other cretins whose parents just don't give a shit'? Why the need for the thin veil of a question?

Our daughters used to go to Kids club part of our holiday and do stuff with us the rest of the time. But the sessions were half a day and you booked either morning or afternoon sessions which worked better than whole days.

'One of those' kids clubs as the title says it all now I think about it

Everylittle
Your comment is like many on MN. Very uncalled for. Not necessary at all

Hippy
Out of order comment. You sound lovely

Yours is not necessary to me either but you still wrote it! If you post, you open yourself up to other people's opinion.

DD keeps asking if we can go back to the holiday with "her club". She absolutely loves a kids club. DS doesn't like them so he doesn't go. Folk are so snobby about them.

Ironically the person I know who is most against them is a sahm, but sends her 3 year old to full time nursery when there's no need to.

I have 4 kids. They all enjoy the kids club on holiday. Every holiday we have ever been on the kids reps speak English. I think my ids don't want to be around me all the time on hols. That ok by me........They go to kids club and I have peace to sunbathe. What's wrong with that? After all its a holiday for the whole family

We've never been anywhere that had organised activities for children but it always seemed practical to me. It's the parents' choice to go to somewhere hot with a pool or a beach, presumably so they can sunbathe, read and relax for their holiday. In my experience children don't want to do this all day so why not let them do things they enjoy more i.e. Organised activities with children their own age? If I were to ask my two DDs to spend two weeks on a beach or swimming in a pool they'd be bored silly

we love the eurocamp kids clubs. Offload the kids for a couple of hours in the morning if they fancy it. Its not all day, and its every day either, then we can still do something in the afternoon, and it gives me and dp a chance for ahem couple time