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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Leaving the kids there

322 replies

cheeeeselover · 05/03/2017 16:39

More of a WWYD I suppose. I have a weekend booked at centerparcs for me and the kids it's for a Friday to Monday. Kids are 14,13 and 11.

I have the Friday and Monday booked off work but have been asked to attend a meeting on Sunday evening. I work about 45 minutes from centerparcs so easy to nip back for the meeting.

Would it unreasonable to leave the kids at centerparcs instead of dragging then with me? They are all good swimmers and very responsible and when we are there they always set off swimming earlier than me and I join them later on. I'd be away from about 5pm to 8.30pm . I would leave them the villa key and money to get themselves a pizza and they can leave the pool when they are ready and go back to the villa. I'm sure they would prefer this than being dragged from their holiday to sit outside a meeting.

They have been left at home for this length of time before and no problems. My only concern is that I'll be 45 minutes away and not sure if I'd even be allowed to leave them there if I had left the holiday village.

What would you do?

OP posts:
Jeanne51 · 06/03/2017 22:51

How do I change my name?

NavyandWhite · 06/03/2017 22:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 06/03/2017 22:53

Enjoy your new name and your new life on benefits Confused

AnyFucker · 06/03/2017 22:55

Shut up now, Jeanne. You are embarrassing yourself.

AnyFucker · 06/03/2017 22:55

It's a new moon innit

Jeanneweany · 06/03/2017 22:58

Thank you Gobbo. And any fuck ər

Vermillioncomfyshoes · 07/03/2017 02:13

I was silly for posting here

Well you were silly for posting and asking if it was OK to leave your kids on their own at Centerparcs, because of course it's not ok at all and you know it's not ok.

Marymoosmum14 · 07/03/2017 17:41

If you left them in the villa I think YANBU but I do think your work is. If you have booked it as a holiday it is a holiday and they should be cutting into your holiday time. I would say no sorry I am on holiday and stay with the kids.

NKd420189X126fb9c96ad · 07/03/2017 17:47

I haven't read the whole thread but I had to leave center parcs in the middle of a short break as my dad had forgotten his medication. We were checked out and back in, they checked the occupancy of our villa so knew there were adults still on site with the children, otherwise we would not have been allowed to leave without them.
Just putting it out there that they may not allow you to leave site without the kids

rookiemere · 07/03/2017 18:07

I didn't get the chance to respond before, but I think provided the DCs are in the accommodation and together rather than being in the centre then it seems fine to me. Not absolutely ideal, but fine.

If however as previous poster says they check you going in and out - and knowing CP I can imagine them doing that, then it may be worth just paying for the babysitter. I know your DCs will hate it/don't need it etc. but you could ask her to stay in your room and leave them totally alone, that way there wouldn't be any issue with you leaving the premises - I presume actually would she count as locus parentis ? - but you would at least have a responsible adult there.

Jaxhog · 07/03/2017 18:18

You have a somewhat different work situation from what I (and many others) assumed, so I see why you need to go to your meeting.

You know your kids better than we do, and they sound pretty sensible. If CP is ok about you leaving briefly, then you seem to have thought of everything. I hope it all goes well.

And hope they save you some Pizza!

ICancelledTheCheque · 07/03/2017 18:24

OP there's one major problem with your suggestion.

The village car park will be closed after 8pm and you may not be able to get back in!

We had this issue on our last trip (but it may differ at different sites).

Essentially they only open the barrier into and out of the village between 4 and 8 on a Sunday (as it isn't a scheduled arrival or departure day) for those who want to leave early.

You might face a problem getting back in to your kids - I'm surprised CP didn't tell you that.

Kiroro · 07/03/2017 18:32

Well I don't think it is too bad to let them go swimming. I used to go with friends whilst parents were in the villa.

Kiroro · 07/03/2017 18:33

The village car park will be closed after 8pm and you may not be able to get back in!

You can drive around the site but you can get in and out of the car park.

This is only an issue if you have a fancy villa with car space by it.

StealthPolarBear · 07/03/2017 18:54

Sorry what can you do and can't you do?

Clumsymumsy22 · 07/03/2017 18:54

When I was 10 we went to a camping holiday near Amsterdam with an onsite theme park and pool. Mum wanted to go to Anne Frank's house, but I was more interested in staying for the park and pool, so mum left me to my own devices for the day while she went with her friend to Anne Frank's. I was fine, and didn't have a phone to ring her if there was a problem. This was 17 years ago and things have changed now, but if it's any help...

Allthebestnamesareused · 07/03/2017 18:59

The OP is a partner in her own firm! Some people do not understand that that means she is a part owner of the business. Owners of businesses frequently do "unpaid" work for their business to generate fee paying clients which is what the OP is doing here. They also generate work for their employees which enables them to be able to employ people.

OP - ignore everyone and carry on with doing what is right for you and your family. You have an email from CP. Make sure you take that with you when you leave/come back in case you are stopped. I'd also leave a copy in the villa for the 14 year old to show anyone who may query where you are too.

According to people on here your 14 year old will get knocked up, the 13 year old burn herself while cooking the pizza and the youngest will drown after being knocked out in the pool and nobody noticing. Meanwhile you will die in a crash on the way to the potential client who will throw a strop that you didn't turn up and take his business elsewhere and make that other firm millionaires.

itsmine · 07/03/2017 19:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

StealthPolarBear · 07/03/2017 19:17

Allthebest I'm still waiting for someone to say " tell your manager to sort it out that's what they get paid the big bucks for"

mummy1234321 · 07/03/2017 19:50

I think AgitatedGuava went too far emailing CP about that. Did you do it just to make sure they won't allow OP to leave? I don't believe in that 'general enquiry'. It's very mean and nosey. You should mind your own business.
If OP said that they allowed her to leave, we should just accept it instead of starting detailed private investigation.
Have you contacted Social Services yet AgitatedGuava as a part of 'general enquiry'?

I think you should go OP. It's very sensible of you to give swimming up 'just in case...', leaving kids in the villa sound fine for their age.

I admire you, OP, it must be hard to be single mum of 4 children (including 3 year old!) and working as well.
You are doing a great job, don't let anyone bring you down.
I've seen too many people on benefits just because they can (no children, young, healthy and not even thinking about getting a job) and I respect your best efforts to show your commitment by attending this meeting.
Funny enough I attended big company meeting last Sunday - this is quite normal where I work and we've done it for years (it's easier than getting expensive cover during business opening hours for meetings during the week).
I hope you'll sort your car out. Our was stolen over a year ago and found burnt to the ground on dodgy estate months later.

refusetobeasheep · 07/03/2017 19:52

If it's longleat weekend of 31 match then pm me!

bloodyteenagers · 07/03/2017 20:02

So cp keep you prisoner and decide to keep you in/out of the place? Wow

Don't know what's more shocking that or that someone else decided to email cp

AgitatedGuava · 07/03/2017 20:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ginger1976 · 07/03/2017 20:25

Hope you are having a better day today
OP, no judgement here just advice....follow your gut instinct, mine never lets me down. I know you have already made your decisio and l am sure it is the right one. The kids (who sound lovely btw) will be fine and will appreciate the fact they are being treated like young adults. Hope meeting goes well and you have a fab weekend away, l love CP!! Xx

LML83 · 07/03/2017 20:27

You are not being unreasonable.

1)getting a sitter would make the young people feel weird, it would be just as bad as being bored at the meeting with you. OP is trying to minimise disruption to the holiday.

  1. OP is a business partner, she wants her business to succeed, feels she is the best partner for the job and willing to go the extra mile for the client as a one off. This is good work ethic and required when starting a business. Nobody is making her. The kids need this business to succeed too.

  2. centre parcs are fine with it.
    Agitated guava why were you enquiring? Are you wanting to ditch your kids during a family holiday? What would be the need (unless similar very unique circumstances of the op but u don't plan for these) I don't believe you genuinely had a need to know. I have never seen such interference!!!!!

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