to not understand the parents jetting off on summer hols, but leaving their kids behind??

[ICoriander]

I just really, really don't get it.

Just seen on fb some friends doing the obligatory airport pic before jetting off abroad, whilst their 2 kids (around 8 and 11) are sent off to grandparents for the week. The kids usually spend their whole summer holidays with family so the couple can work, but they always take a week away themselves during that time. I could maybe understand it if they were doing a family holiday abroad, then one on their own, but the kids don't ever go.

Obviously none of my business, but it makes me irrationally angry, as it seems so selfish. I have dc of similar ages, and would never take the opportunity to go on holiday with dh without them; we'd be lost!

Is it just me??

I'm afraid that mine are too hard work to be left with grandparents enmasse all week. I do meet a lot of grandparents who feel quite put upon about having to look after young children for long periods of time it rather put me off doing that. They like having one on one time with them.

mind you I wouldn't use any of my precious hols to go away without DH never mind the kids! It just doesn't appeal. I just don't have girl friends I would prefer to be with rather than DH.

Is the problem here that they are going abroad without the kids or having a weeks holidays without the kids? Would it be ok if they had taken the kids to Spain and had a week in the lakes together drinking wine going for walks?

I really don't get it, the kids are having two holidays, one with mum and dad and one with the grandparents. Sounds like great fun to me! Pretty sure no children are being "dumped" on anyone, they are spending time with their loving grandparents!

Dh and I have never done a week like this because we don't have enough annual leave but do have regular long weekends. Dd has the most amazing time with her Gran and we get to enjoy time together the two of us. It doesn't mean we don't love dd, we don't enjoy being with her, or we are selfish. It's just sometimes it's nice to have grown up time, stay out late, have a few cocktails, eat in a fancy resturant, all of which are limited a tad with a small child.

Head, that's why my mum has them here, she says its easier in their own home, plus as she lives in the sticks she enjoys being in town so they see her about once a month when she visits for the weekend and its still a bit of a novelty. I completely agree with you about holidays with girl friends tho, id rather spend the Time with dh

Besides our next holiday is new York, it is nice to go for dinner or stop for a beer on a whim, ds9 might like it but the younger 2 would be bored and a nightmare

My parents did this. And I am currently pregnant with DC1, and have every intention of doing the same!

Good for the parents' sanity, good for the children to get some independence. Win win, I would say!

I'm doing the opposite. Just back from my 5th airport trip this summer and not even a sniff of a sunny clime for me. 3 more trips to go but everyone's had a great summer bar me but boy am I making a good case for a family long haul at New Year

DH and I just spent 2 weeks in Dubai.

DD just spent 2 weeks in the US with her cousins.

Win win.

I don't see an issue at all as long as the kids are left with someone who loves them, and they get to have a holiday with their parents at some point too... I would have hated this as a kid though I have to say I think many couples would benefit from reconnecting without kids every now and then.
If you have someone to leave them with then you are very fortunate.

DS is autistic so it really would be cruel to send him on a PGL type holiday. To him it would be shipping he off with strangers.

We have had two half term self catering UK breaks and one two week self catering in France and DS was with us all the time DD chose to join us only for one week in France. We are currently trying to work out an evening when she will stay home with her brother for DH and I to have a night out for our 'big' wedding anniversary this year.

If it was an option I might enjoy a night away with just DH once a year but I wouldn't go on a full holiday without my children. DD is always welcome to join us but she is an adult now and likes to holiday with her friends (still a student so we pay obviously).

goady fucker

Yes it is easier in your own home but I still think it's a big ask and our parents have made it clear it's too much.

I agree to be honest, and will not be offering when I have grandchildren!

I prefer to holiday with parents included. We like their company, and enjoy seeing them interact with grandchildren.

I used to take my dd abroad when she was younger but as much as she enjoyed it, it was stressful and she was homesick.

I now take her camping and spend quality days with her during the holidays which she enjoys the most, I have done and continue to plan going abroad without her at least once a year if I can afford it until she is much older and still I will plan to go short breaks without her.

She is lucky that her dgp live in a holiday destination in the UK and she loves to spend time with them.

As a parent every day is centred around your child's needs and wants a few days a year of not being a parent is a lifesaver and reminds you that you are not just a mother, if she is away to her dgp I am not going to sit at home and twiddle my thumbs until she returns.

I remember my dp went away at least once and I can't remember being bothered about it,I just accepted it. I never grew up with my needs/wants put at the top point for many things and I don't think it did me any long lasting harm.

Children are not the centre of the universe.

Doesn't mean I don't feel a little parental guilt when I choose to go away but I put that aside and remember I'm me and I like I said before not just a mother.

I understand it!

Dh and I had a few foreign holidays before we had dc3 ...was doable with 2. funny enough no one wants to babysit 3 under ten

I am Green with envy there's loads of my friends been abroad with just their OHs this summer

Well woop-de-fucking-do for you PinkOcelot. My Dsis has 4 kids and 2 of them have SN. She spends 51 weeks of the year caring for them round the clock. It is 24/7 and they cannot be left alone or unsupervised. She has one week of respite per year, where she gets to have a break - which translates as getting more than 3 or 4 hours of broken sleep per night. But you're so right, she's palming them off

Look guys. The OP is a piss taker of the highest order and this thread involving the imaginary family was started in order to cause a rammy.

For the most part it hasn't really worked but there are a few replies which will have it rubbing it's warty and hairy hands with glee.

Personally I'm still laughing at it having imaginary kids in an imaginary boarding school whilst lambasting people for having a week away without the kids.

Ive never actually wanted to go away just as a couple since we had children!

I think it really depends on the children I'm a ta and I've seen children who are obviously very hurt when their parents go away without then and then others who love spending time with other family members. I've left mine with my parents for 3 days when we had a short break for our honeymoon.

I have 1 DD, aged 7. Left her a couple of times for a night away, also left her once for 5 days and once for 7 days. All these times she was with my Mum, Auntie & Sister.

When I left her for 5 days she was aged 2 & in the throws of being a terrible toddler. I ran to the airport & never looked back. She was aged 4 when I left her for a week, it was far too long and after a few days I was pining for her. At 4 she was wonderful company and I didn't enjoy the holiday any more for not having her with me. I am leaving her for 3 days next year because we're going to Rome & I don't feel it's worth keeping her off school for, but i'm sure that's the last holiday/break we'll be having without her. She's great company and loves exploring new places.

I