Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
AndKnowItsSeven · 07/03/2017 20:33
  1. no they are not.
rookiemere · 07/03/2017 20:34

I really don't don't think they lock you into CP by the way or indeed bar you from coming back in. However you do have to walk from the car park to your lodge and I do know that they check who goes in and out so people don't sneak in extra visitors.

Would they go to the bother of checking what age your DCs are when you go without them ? Its hard to tell.

Benedikte2 · 07/03/2017 21:04

OP I'm sorry you've been given such a hard time. I'm becoming disillusioned with MN as if anyone wants a sensible discussion of pros and cons and an exchange of views some folk feel it is fair game to subject the OP to abuse and offensive comments. Many do not even seem to bother to read the OPs posts -- and here although you stated your work situation many continued to blather on about what an employee ought to do in your situation.
You consulted CP and were given an answer and as far as I can see have made a reasonable decision.
I'd like to congratulate you on the brave decision to join the new business venture and sincerely hope it pays off and you eventually get your own home. Your DC sound lovely, well done.
Hope your car is sorted and condolences re your aunt.
Good luck

AgitatedGuava · 07/03/2017 21:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LML83 · 07/03/2017 21:17

You wet out your way to try and prove the op to be lying.
She said she has an email advising her circumstances are acceptable. I take this to mean leaving children of those ages for 3 hours. She understands she is still responsible for them and as she trusts them she is ok with that.
The fact that you have another email saying something else about a more general enquiry pproves nothing. It is rude to question OP'S honesty.

AgitatedGuava · 07/03/2017 21:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LML83 · 07/03/2017 21:40

Agitated. It is certainly not the OP. You are a very untrusting person. I still believe the OP has confirmation that satisfies her. I have been given different information by different customer service advisers plenty of times.
What I am shocked at is someone on this thread would bother to contact centre parcs. It's ridiculous.

mummy1234321 · 07/03/2017 22:52

What I am shocked at is someone on this thread would bother to contact centre parcs. It's ridiculous.

That's exactly what I thought LML.

RaqsMax · 07/03/2017 23:56

There is no way that I would leave 3 minor children unattended in a holiday resort. It is an unfair burden of responsibility to put on your 14yr old. I doubt very much that it is permissible under the terms of your CP contract. CP DO have a babysitting service. Cough up and get someone to watch your kids while you are away...if indeed it is as necessary as you think to get to this terribly important meeting?

annfield62 · 08/03/2017 03:49

Many years ago I was a single mum on benefits renting a ground floor flat with drug dealers living above me. I now own my house in a nice area. I have a nice car and a good well paid job. I have worked hard for what I have. You reach for the stars for you and yours and trust your own judgement. You know your kids. My child was very responsible at the age your children are. He had a front door key. I could totally trust him. In senior school he had to get 2 buses to get there. He also liked having the house to himself for a few hours. On holiday i would leave him at the pool for a couple of hours while I went shopping because he didn't always want to come with me. On the other hand my siblings kids used to get up to all kinds of mischief. I needed eyes in the back of my head when I looked after them. I have friends who's kids would struggle to get a bus anywhere on their own. They are adults (over 18) and their parents have to make phone calls for them and taxi them everywhere. My child has been to Uni and travelled. You sound like your doing a great job. Your bringing your children up to be strong and independent. They will probably have a good work ethic. I'm sorry about your aunt and your car. I hope your meeting goes well. xx

Original poster
cheeeeselover · 08/03/2017 08:03

Thanks for all your kind words and thoughts everyone who offered support. I've made up my mind what to do and am going to trust my judgement Smile

OP posts:
Munchingmummy · 08/03/2017 08:03

I don't think leaving them there for a few hours is a big issue, you know your own children and obviously don't think that's an issue.

But - you are on holiday, you won't get the time back with your children. Yes I appreciate they are a bit older and probably wanting to hang out with you less and less. I just wonder when they are adults themselves will they be saying to each other "remember the year that we went away for a weekend and mum had to go to work/meeting etc".

That's just my view, but obvisouly up to you what you choose.

AgitatedGuava · 08/03/2017 08:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Rainbowsockstoday · 08/03/2017 08:31

@Raqsmax it's not that big a responsibility on a 14yr old considering the youngest (staying) is 11! As I posted previously I was 12 and taking care of an 8yr old and 2yr old all summer holidays between 8-6pm and babysitting on a night once a week. I cooked them dinner, made their breakfast and lunch and did my sisters bedtime. At 14 I'm sure a few hours watching TV isn't going to be causing stress and pressure on her eldest.

helpfulperson · 08/03/2017 09:07

am I missing something? how is this any different from kids going alone to the local swimming pool, cinema, town etc all of which are okay for children this age. that can easily be an hour away.

Rainbowsockstoday · 08/03/2017 09:11

I agree @helpfulperson it's no different to letting your kids go out together to the park or baths during the day. Or even as a pp said getting the bus to school. My school journey was well over an hour away from my mum and I survived without the apocalypse happening!

Original poster
cheeeeselover · 08/03/2017 09:12

annfield62 Thats so lovely to hear. Shows what determination and hard work can do and I bet your son is very proud of you

OP posts:
supermoon100 · 08/03/2017 09:13

Any company that wants to have a business meeting on a Sunday night would annoy the hell out if me.

allchattedout · 08/03/2017 09:14

Aren't you shocked that someone who is hoping to start a business doesn't understand that legalities and policies aren't something you can disregard when you like? As many people have said, it isn't about how nice or sensible individuals children are, but more importantly the policies of where the dc are resident

Yeah, fricking gobsmacked. I actually can't believe it. In other news, I also hear that some CEOs of multinational corporations sometimes get speeding tickets and parking fines. My gosh- how can they not realise that you cannot disregard rules and regulations? Shocking. I might write a general email to the council inquiring whether it's OK to park on double yellows and then wave it in their faces.

Oh and for clarification- the OP already has a business. Start-up doesn't mean 'hoping to start'.

rjgmummy · 08/03/2017 09:40

Yes. Mine are 11, 14 and 15 and I would be happy leaving them for a few hours. They often take themselves off swimming or for cycle rides in the holidays and I would be happy leaving them to go myself for a couple of hours. Mine would also enjoy the non mummy time (I'm sure they are quite fond of me really!!)

Tricky not knowing circs but you are on holiday. Is it not an option to say no to the meeting?

AgitatedGuava · 08/03/2017 09:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

allchattedout · 08/03/2017 10:02

Not worked up, just sarky... I am not the one who emailed centreparcs...

Kiroro · 08/03/2017 10:16

I'm with LML83

However you do have to walk from the car park to your lodge

OMG stop the press - you have to walk form the loge to the car park!

Kiroro · 08/03/2017 10:19

Any company that wants to have a business meeting on a Sunday night would annoy the hell out if me.

My DP has meetings frequently on Saturday and Sundays, and often after 10pm during the week. He works with restaurant owners/managers... they can't meet him during service.

Not everyone fits into your M-F 9-5 box.

When it is your own business you do what you have to do.

Westfacing · 08/03/2017 10:23

The risk of something happening is low, and the OP is the only who knows her own children, and how vital or not this meeting is. So her call.

However, she is obviously breaking the T&Cs of the booking - how would anyone feel if they found out that Centre Parcs suspended say lifeguard cover at the pools for 4 hours on Sunday evening without telling anyone?

Swipe left for the next trending thread