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AIBU?

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Original poster

To put DS in a 'kids' camp' on holiday?

229 replies

user1487945602 · 24/02/2017 14:28

DS is 4. He loves nursery, etc.

We are currently on holiday (2nd day) and DS keeps wanting us to go swimming, build sand castles, get him an ice-cream, play with him, etc.

I'm early stages of 2nd pregnancy and can't wait for him to have a sibling to play with Grin no, but seriously, I'd really like to just relax. I know that being a parent means doing what your child would like, but I would absolutely love to be able to just relax in the sun!

It is DH's day today - he has taken him swimming (DS found the pool a bit too cold) but obviously DH had to get in first, so was extremely touchy after as DS didn't even end up being in the pool longer than 5 mins.

Has played on the beach with him (built a hole, etc.) so has been entertained. We all went to lunch together.

DS won't sit on a lounger for 5 minutes/play on his own for a short while. I don't mean to sound mean, but I don't think it's particularly evil of us to say he has to.

We suggested the holiday camp that's at our hotel and he says he wants to stay with us, so I suppose that's why I'm asking.

He says he would like to stay with us for nursery but then goes and really enjoys it. I know he would have fun. WIBU to put him in it? Just for the mornings.

OP posts:
lalaloopyhead · 24/02/2017 21:11

We did when the kids were younger, but only because they wanted to do the activities and meeting up with other kids. I've never thought of it as a form of childcare so that I can get some peace. Actually thinking about when older dc were going to kids club we still had baby/toddler dc anyway!

Yorkiebar71 · 24/02/2017 21:12

My DCs love the kids club on holiday! They ask to go from the minute they wake up and not going to them would be a punishment. It means I get time to lie in the sun and relax for the few hours it is open and we have loads of fun the rest of the day

squizita · 24/02/2017 21:22

Do it.

Ignore strangers on MN who are telling you not to use a safe, appropriate facility you as a parent are happy to use. That way madness lies.

And just to wind the key board warrior sanctimums up more, I'm crunchy as hell and wouldn't do that myself. But I go uk camping/basic sc in the main because weirdo. Half of them have just given the weird hypocritical/daily fail "you can't do that if you have kids". Err yes you can if you've paid for a hotel with daycare. It's there. You can. Just as I can not really wash properly and be vaguely awkward when my child wants to wear a Peppa ballerina outfit to yurt yoga rather than the tiny tie dye scandi stuff I crunched up for her knitting lentils day and night. Grin

OnceUponATimeInLondon · 24/02/2017 21:28

I used to love holiday kids club when a child! Playing with other children, doing activities. I'd send him in a flash, he'll probably really enjoy it.

AndNowItsSeven · 24/02/2017 21:30

Yabu ,holidays as a parent are about enjoying your dc have fun.

CurlsandCurves · 24/02/2017 21:33

You know your child. If you think they will enjoy it, why not?

My 2 both loved kids clubs on holiday. It was a great chance to make new friends which they then played with after. It's never been a case of wanting rid of my kids, it's the fact that they do loads of fun stuff which is well organised and they love it.

You will get plenty of time together, it's only a couple of hours here and there.

BigGrannyPants · 24/02/2017 21:37

I think yabvu, this is his holiday too and you want him to spend it away from you when he has already told you that's now what he wants. The day will come when your kids would rather not be with you and you will kick yourself for wishing it away so soon. Go and play with your son, soon he will have to compete for your attention from his sibling. I think your expectations are completely unrealistic and unfair to your little boy.

BigGrannyPants · 24/02/2017 21:38

Hats meant to be not instead of now!

AYankinSpanx · 24/02/2017 21:38

A lot of projecting on this thread.

If you opt for the kids club OP, then check it out first. A good friend came back last year traumatised after the kids club lost her child briefly, left one crying under a table until it was pick up time, and gave unsuitable food to her DS with a nut allergy.

And that was a really well regarded resort! I've never used one but her tales did color my view somewhat. But I'm sure the majority are fine!

If your DS is adamant though, I'd probably let him be and do shifts with DH.

alreadytaken · 24/02/2017 21:39

kidsclub is much better than being with boring old parents - yabu if you dont let them try it. Had to drag ours away for some family time.

Chickoletta · 24/02/2017 21:57

My kids really enjoy Kids' Club on holiday - we've been with First Choice 3 times in the last couple of years where the facilities and staff are excellent. We've always given them the choice and would not make them, but they really enjoy it.

Don't understand why anyone would want to make you feel guilty about this. Give it a try - it's only a couple of hours (go and check on him part way through if concerned) and if he doesn't enjoy it, he doesn't go again. If he goes to Nursery anyway he's probably very good at mixing in with other kids.

Have a great holiday.

SoTheySentMeA · 24/02/2017 22:04

Not EVERY day of a holiday HAS to be about family time! Sometimes, its nice for the children to go and play with other chikdren, make friends, have adventures while mum and dad relax. My parents ALWAYS made sure to do plenty of everything and mix things up. Family days and outings to places were followed by an evening at the clubhouse to socialise with others. Days spent at kids clubs or playing with other children on the site were followed by family dinner together.

Ignore all those who think you should exhaust yourself spending every second with DS. You're pregnant, stick him in the club for a couple of days and have a rest!

AbernathysFringe · 24/02/2017 22:07

some people relish the idea of spending time with their kids, some people don't
So...why do they keep having them then? Vanity project? Pass on the genes then get as far away as possible?
Agree with previous post which feels sorry for the kid - term time in nursery, holidays in holiday nursery.

BlueFolly · 24/02/2017 22:07

I would.

JayneAusten · 24/02/2017 22:17

I felt so sad reading your post. This: DS keeps wanting us to go swimming, build sand castles, get him an ice-cream, play with him, etc - is the kind of thing family holidays are made of. That's a little kid being excited on holiday and wanting to have fun with his parents. You describe it like it's a big inconvenience. You say it's 'DH's day' - why do you have set days to care for your child? Is he really that much of a chore to you? You can't wait for him to have a playmate so that you can pay less attention (not going to happen, by the way).

He doesn't want to go to kids' club. He told you he wants to be with you - you'd rather overrule him and stick him in holiday nursery than let a 4 year old be with their mummy and daddy on holiday when they want to, so that you can sit on a sunlounger?

skerrywind · 24/02/2017 22:26

jayne- I agree.
Poor kid, the OP makes him sound like a burden.

OP Do you have family that could care for your son while you and OH go on holiday alone together?

littledinaco · 24/02/2017 22:47

Jayne, I agree too. Lots of children love kids clubs and want to go but OPs DS is saying he doesn't. It seems mean not to listen to him even if you think he'll enjoy it when he gets there.
They are only little once - you'll have YEARS of sunbathing holidays when they are older/grown up.

NewMumJuly11 · 24/02/2017 22:48

For us holidays are about spending time together as a family. We have two ds' and whilst there is always a kids club at the hotel our kids have never been - the time together is just too precious. Enjoy spending time with your little one, go on adventures, do whatever they want as in a few years they won't even want you around. So I say make the most of it whilst they do!

CanadaMoose91 · 24/02/2017 23:24

I hated Kids Clubs and avoided them - I was more than happy to play imaginary games by myself for hour on end though, from about 3 years old. My brother on the other hand spent entire holidays at Kids Clubs out of choice and only saw us in the evenings when clubs ended. It all depends on your family.

The only way I'd judge you was if your child hated it and you made him go all day anyway, but you seem like a good enough parent not to do that. Happy vacationing!

deliverdaniel · 24/02/2017 23:37

try it and see. If he doesn't like it, then don't do it. If he does then great. Agree wtih pp who said sell it to him as a treat not a punishment.

My DS's both hate holiday club sadly (athough only tried it in one resort) and we felt mean making them stay. Generally IME holidays w young kids are less relaxing than staying home! Fun though in other ways.

cowbag1 · 24/02/2017 23:44

Your DH isn't pregnant though so why can't he entertain him a bit more and give you a break?

Notso · 25/02/2017 00:18

What's being pregnant got to do with it? OP said it was DH's day and he has been entertaining the DS.

WheresYouWheelieBin · 25/02/2017 00:47

I have friends whose children spend their whole holidays in kids club...that is unreasonable. You're only talking a short period of time; he'll probably have a great time with the change of scene and you and your DH can have a few hours to yourselves. Do it!

Aebj · 25/02/2017 00:59

My boys were older. 9 and 11.
we were away for 10 nights. We put them in the kids club for one morning. We said we would get them at lunch ( they could stay just the morning, morning and lunch, all day or lunch and afternoon!). We went to collect them and they were having so much fun they wanted to stay for the rest of the day.
They made friends with other kids in the hotel and didn't go back into the club ( mainly as we had day trips booked) but were able to play with there new friends in the evenings .
Do it for one day

llangennith · 25/02/2017 01:09

Stick him in kids club. Even if he hates it it won't scar him for life and you'll have a nice time without him.
He'll survive.

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