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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To put 3 yr old and 18 month old on holiday club?

88 replies

Rowanhart · 02/09/2016 08:52

We've booked a holiday in Spain at a Spa resort that has crèche/kids club facilities with trained child minders. Sessions are three hours long.

We're going tomorrow and hubby has revealed he has booked us a couple of mornings in Spa and some other sessions so we can have some chill out time.

With demanding kids who literally won't let me even think at the moment I can't say not tempted. It's exhausting at the moment and we don't get a minute together. Looking at reviews everyone v positive about crèche etc. He is very excited for prospect of both time with kids and some time alone.

But as we get closer getting v nervous about idea of leaving them. Am I being unreasonable if I refuse? I have the feeling he might be upset as one reasons paid huge amount for Hol was for facility.

OP posts:
maddiemookins16mum · 02/09/2016 09:30

Having worked in travel, including setting up (and running) overseas kids' clubs for 26 years, I have never heard if them needing a Dr's note!!!

BombadierFritz · 02/09/2016 09:30

it wouldnt be for me but I would have said that earlier to dh as well. i'm sure they'll be fine though.

ZanyMobster · 02/09/2016 09:31

We have only ever been required to take a doctors note/HV book in Las Vegas (so potentially a requirement in the US), never been required in Europe in reputable kids clubs (First Choice/P&O etc)

YelloDraw · 02/09/2016 09:32

don't forget you will need a doctors certificate for the children just before you go saying they are contagion free

Really?? That is not the norm.

Put them in OP, they will most likely love it and have lots of fun, leaving you rested and able to really enjoy the afternoons together. And if they hate it, no drama just don't put them in again.

I used to love kids clubs on holiday - lots to do, lots of people to play with.

imwithspud · 02/09/2016 09:36

Do it! It's not like you'll be shoving them in the crèche at every opportunity. It's a holiday for you all, that means it's okay to grab a bit of time for yourselves if you can. I'm sure they'll enjoy themselves, they'll have all sorts of activities to keep them occupied and your 3 year old will enjoy the chance to make new friends.

Original poster
Rowanhart · 02/09/2016 09:36

I am a bit Hmm at the McCann comment, because, of course, it's one of things giving pause for thought. Which I know is completely ridiculous deep down.

Of course wouldn't dream of leaving little ones alone anywhere ever (will never understand...)

OP posts:
Mollymoo78 · 02/09/2016 09:37

It wouldn't be for me at their age but if you think you would both benefit from time away from the children then go for it.

danTDM · 02/09/2016 09:38

Yes it is, to stop infection, you can imagine, especially with babies.

I worked for a very good/famous AI for years in the head office. This caused problems as people forgot to do it. It is important for everyone... all sorts of risk of cp etc spread otherwise, ruins a holiday.

Just check your booking paperwork in case.

Mollymoo78 · 02/09/2016 09:40

I don't think the McCann situation is comparable to your own so please don't think about that too much.

madein1995 · 02/09/2016 09:40

I completely would, a few hours will be a nice break for you and you're leaving them with a trained adult, hardly the same as leaving them alone and going out for the evening. I'd stay close by if needed the first session and the younger one may not settle very quickly but I'd imagine the older one will love it

witsender · 02/09/2016 09:47

Worth a go. Mine would never have stayed, so even trying would have been unnecessary stress!

witsender · 02/09/2016 09:48

A friend said the holiday clubs asked for proof of vaccination, so maybe take red books just in case.

MoonriseKingdom · 02/09/2016 09:50

The doctors note sounds like arse covering/ litigation preventing nonsense. A GP can say your child is infection free (as much as they can tell) at the point they see them. That in no way means they will be infection free by the time they land eg they could be incubating chicken pox or pick something up on the flight.

Notso · 02/09/2016 09:51

I wouldn't be able to relax knowing my kids were with people I didn't know, however well qualified they were. Especially at such young ages. If I was looking for childcare in the UK I wouldn't book it based on online reviews.

RandomDent · 02/09/2016 09:53

How would a doctor know if you are brewing chicken pox?

OP feel free to give it a go. I should have tried it with mine, it didn't occur to me but with hindsight I think they would have got a lot out of it.

ICanTuckMyBoobsInMyPockets · 02/09/2016 10:00

Of course do it!

We were in a First Choice holiday this year and no-one ever mentioned health certificates for the kids club, I've never heard of it, and neither have the handful of people I've just mentioned it to here. In fact they've all pulled this face Hmm
I wouldn't worry about that.

You'll probably just need to fill in a form the first time, and tell them where you'll be every time you drop them off so they can co tact you.

Enjoy! Very jealous of your holiday, sounds fab, and what a lovely thing for your husband to do.

Original poster
Rowanhart · 02/09/2016 10:04

Just double checked with travel agent and says defo don't need doctors certificate. Thank goodness, was panicked there as no chance would get in GP today!

OP posts:
Starduke · 02/09/2016 10:04

We've done it from age 3. It was a disaster, despite DS already being at school by that age (we don't live in the UK). We only put him in for 3 hours in the mornings but despite being very sociable and having loads of friends at school he just didn't enjoy it.

The effects were felt for 2 weeks after the holiday ended - he suddenly became clingy and weepy (both aged 3 and when we tried again aged 4).

So do try it, but be prepared for it not to work.

What we now do is alternate who looks after the DC and who has time to do some sport/go to a spa etc.

BarbarianMum · 02/09/2016 10:10

I wouldn't but that's because the kids would have hated it - ds2 was particularly clingy at 18 mo. If you think yours will be ok about it, why not?

CoraPirbright · 02/09/2016 10:18

Def do it - we have always used holiday clubs and the kids love it. They make loads of friends and have fun doing the things that, frankly, I wouldn't have bought equipment on holiday for (painting, treasure hunts etc). I have friends who didnt do it initially and now their children refuse to go which means that there is never a holiday for the mum. It is supposed to be a holiday for you too - you have mentioned that they are demanding at the moment so if you didnt have this time off, it would just be the 'same old, same old' except with a bit of sunshine thrown in.

Rainshowers · 02/09/2016 12:30

We did with 2 year old DD this year in Cyprus. Like a previous poster said, we had breakfast, dropped her off 9-12, had lunch, she napped then we spent the rest of the afternoon in the pool.

It meant that we had a bit of time to relax, and she got to play with other children and spend some time indoors where it was air conditioned. It was run by English staff, and they took them to the baby pool, to the playground in the hotel etc. She loved it.

See if you're comfortable with the set up when you get there, and go from there. Like I said, we booked DD in from 9-12 but sometimes we'd drop her off later/pick her up early depending on our plans, it was really flexible.

MLGs · 02/09/2016 13:10

I would definitely do it, at least once, to give it a go. If it doesn't work out or they are very upset don't do it again. Hopefully that will work for you all.

Agree the Tapas comment up thread is horribly unnecessary.

MLGs · 02/09/2016 13:12

At their age it's not like they need a holiday from school or a formal setting.

That1950sMum · 02/09/2016 13:15

I wouldn't with such young children as they wont know the setting or any of the adults. Everyone's different though and the majority on here seem to think its ok.

Idliketobeabutterfly · 02/09/2016 13:16

I probably would. I have one DS who never stops moving or talking and would be beneficial for us all.

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