To think sod you, you ungrateful little gits

[YoureAllABunchOfBastards]

DSs (10 and 7) broke up from school today, as did I. Tonight has been a whingefest. To cap it all, when we said we are going to see Santa tomorrow (nice morning out at local museum, do it every year and there is loads to do as well as Santa) they moaned because it is too early in the morning at 10 o'clock.

Told them right, sod it, they don't have to go - but pointed out that I will also ruin their Sunday because we are off to a Christmas market. I dare say the trip to town on Tuesday and the meal out on Thursday will be similarly troublesome.

So, AIBU or are they ungrateful little bastards?

I see many DC at shopping centers and Christmas markets and think poor SIDS it's so boring shopping with parents. Why do adults do it?

You see the children screaming in pushchairs bored, older children getting bored, DC getting lost, not doing as they are told.

Far better to let them play at home, in the garden or play a game at the park with their mates

I was one, once upon a time. Adults forget that children have to live by a strict routine too during the school year, so far the first day of holidays they would sometimes prefer a nice lie in instead of a great day full of activities.

Why is the 10 year old too old for Santa? Nearly all the year 6 kids at our school still believe.

They are tired

Give them a break

Lower your expectations and then you won't feel they have to be grateful all the time.

Also, you have threatened them with trips. Not a great message to enthuse them

Too old for Santa at 7? My DD (9 on Monday) was up at 6:30am, dressed and ready to go see the big guy 😂

I say you're the adult and they said they wanted to go, so you take them.

DS did his utmost best to ruin MY birthday by whinging the whole bloody day we spent at a festival in the middle of the summer holidays. Even though I specifically chose things for the kids. He wasn't tired, just an annoying little git.

However I know as he gets older and looks back he will appreciate the time I spent doing things like that with him, so as an adult and his parent, yes I took him and yes the words stop whinging were used once or twice.

Bedsides half day trips are just as restful as full blown holidays if not more so as you are all in your own bed at night.

No one ever says Oh give them a days down time before jumping on a plane (which is a damn sight more tiring than a chat with Santa)

My nearly 9 year old would happily go and see Santa! As would his 7 year old brother! There were some mumblings earlier in the year about him maybe being a myth but I don't think they are overly convinced either way right now!

As it goes my three and a half year old would refuse to go because Santa is scary

I think its an inbetween age. One day they want to do 'little kid' stuff and the next they don't. They want to join in the magic but don't want to look a fool. The result is whinging and complaining or being rude about things.

I probably would have moaned at that age too. Mainly because I was tired after term and wanted to start having some agency in my own life. I hated it when my parents arranged a load of stuff on my behalf that I was supposed to be grateful for (but hadn't actually asked for). Some 7 year olds will still love a trip to FC but most 10 year olds won't so I can understand not wanting to get up early on the first day of his holiday for something he has no interest in.

Could you not mix in some activities they get to choose themselves and then spin it that they play nicely on your outings and you'll take them to xyz that they've chosen? Or just give them some time to rest!

7 too old to see santa

My lot of have wound me up so much since they broke up from school last night that they can spend 24/7 on their screens as far as I'm concerned today as long as they stop making me cry and making me feel like a shit mum. And if any member of my family suggests we pop into town to do something Christmassy I may well get on the mulled wine early doors and let rip.

I'm knackered at the end of term, let alone the children. And we still have three more days if school. Sigh.

Anyone else creeping around the house in the hope that they won't wake up?

I don't see an issue with expecting kids to go out and do things for the mornings and then have chilled out afternoons. And 7 is def not too old for FC - my very nearly 7 yr old loves seeing him and still believes totally in him.

OP I think what you've planned for the weekend sounds fine and I would do it anyway. They can chill out later on. My DS still has 3 days at school left and we have a full on weekend due to seeing family before Christmas Day. He may whinge but that's what's happening.

Our 2 (11 & 13) moan at every suggestion of days out and then have a great time! It has become so common that whenever they moan before heading out, we say (usually in unison!) - oh, the DCs are moaning- it's going to be a great day!

On the other hand sometimes I just want a pj day but DH always has to get out at some point during the day on weekends or he gets 'cabin fever' & it gets all miserable and uncomfortable. Why he can't just take himself off for a walk without dragging us all off to somewhere miles away, I don't know!

Um, I don't know. If it's set in stone, fine, just say 'Ah the lovely sound of moaning, it only makes me stronger' and keep going, they will probably enjoy it when they get there. I do always regret it when I overload school holidays with lots of trips though.

My dd 7 was a right shite this evening. I kind of knew she was knackered but it was like someone had given her a double espresso and dipped her in the spiteful puddle.

^^
Best ever description of overtired 7yo. Mine's just like that, too.

Mine would know that if I'd booked and payed for something after asking if they wanted to go... they would be expected to come along and bloody smile whilst they are at it!
Otherwise I might have to find something really fun for the afternoon... shopping, visiting elderly relatives... and then bugger them and not book the next thing they ask for.

7 and 10 year olds are 'tired' and need a lie -in - really?
Wait till they have real problems/challenges. The current generation of children may have 'flexible' thumbs to text but need a bit of a reality check. It is not all about them!
That said I do think there are far better occupations for them than 'shopping' so understand their whingeing in a way. Just IMO of course.

If they were my children I'd leave them at home with DH and I'd have a day of shopping in town by myself

Ours don't break up until next Friday

Were DCs never tired in ye olden golden days then ?

Sorry for you OP its a shame when you arrange something then DCs unenthusiastic. DS is usually the same then enjoys it when he gets there. We are off for a few nights next week to visit relatives and you would think DS was being force fed salt laced porridge for a fortnight the way he is talking about it.
I would try to ignore their whining and stay positive .
I wish DS 10 still believed but sadly that ship has sailed.