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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:
honeylulu · 05/03/2017 20:59

Now you've explained your work situation, I am more strongly if the view that you should go (though the client sounds a total PITA).
It's also occurred to me that my son who is nearly 12 was alone some days in half term and we were at work. He had a bus pass and an "activity " to go to every day. Sometimes an organised holiday club but one day it was just swimming at normal open session at the local pool. It would have taken me 1.5 hours to get back (husband 40 mins) and we all agreed we were happy with it.
Like yours my son nearly died of boredom the couple of times I had to drag him to work with me when he was younger and I had no option.

MrsTwix · 05/03/2017 21:11

I know they are old enough not to "need" a babysitter, but in this situation it might be a good idea to use the centre parks babysitter.

I wouldn't leave them if it's against policy, it's that what if something did happen.

Devilishpyjamas · 05/03/2017 21:21

I'd leave them in the villa with pizza and a film. I often leave ds2 & ds3 (or either alone) - now aged 15 and 12 - but I have been leaving them for a while. Had no choice (& SS were aware they were being left and had no issues at all, so it won't be a wider issue).

I'd say no swimming - just because I'd not want to be 45 mins away for that.

Devilishpyjamas · 05/03/2017 21:25

TBH OP - given their ages I can't really see the problem.

Presumably they get themselves to school etc. Unless they've never set foot anywhere alone I can't even see that they would notice you being away for a few hours.

HermioneJeanGranger · 05/03/2017 21:37

Don't you have to sign in and out of Center Parcs? Surely they'll know you're the only adult in your party and won't let you sign out without your kids?

Occadodo · 05/03/2017 21:41

Honestly ..... what's going on with people????
Of course they will be fine! The youngest is 11!!!!
Aged 11 I would babysits my nephews aged 1&3!!!!

celtiethree · 05/03/2017 21:43

The OP could have been meeting friends there!! You can drive our either signing out. This is a non issue. OP just go to your meeting.

celtiethree · 05/03/2017 21:44

Shd gave said you can drive out without signing out.

AndNowItsSeven · 05/03/2017 21:48

Yes but signing back in they will see the kids are missing.

Huldra · 05/03/2017 21:50

I would encourage them to stay in with a movie and money to get pizza. Staying low key and unlikely to get noticed or involved in anything however unintentional. Like another child jumping on them in the pool with bang to head, falling off bike and twisting arm, being in the wrong place at the wrong time when a fight breaks out or other kids are causing trouble.

All very unlikely and nothing that they couldn't cope with of course. But they could be sat in first aid with the staff drumming their fingers, thinking that the child has now been there for 3 hours and they can't let them go without a parental signature. It would soon be clear that you had been off site and breaking a t&c somewhere.

callmeadoctor · 05/03/2017 22:15

Just book a CP babysitter, then you wont need to worry. What if your meeting runs over? What if (heaven forbid) you have an accident en route? Now I know that could happen anywhere, but rubbish mobile phone system and worried kids with only CP staff to contact is a risk not worth taking. Particularly as I am sure that you are not allowed! You seem to have made your mind up though. (Very interested to hear what CP say if you ring them up?)

callmeadoctor · 05/03/2017 22:18

20 You must provide the following information prior to arrival and confirm it on arrival:
~ a completed rooming list or registration form for each accommodation unit, showing the names of the capable and responsible persons referred to above,
~ the name of one capable and responsible person over the age of 21 who must be present for the duration and accept overall responsibility for the whole party.

allchattedout · 05/03/2017 22:19

What if (heaven forbid) you have an accident en route?

Surely then it would be better if the kids weren't with her in the car? Seeing as the alternative is she takes them with her to work.

Centreparcs isn't some high security prison. You don't need to sign out and I highly doubt she is going to be reprimanded if she drives back in without the kids. What if she had booked the babysitting service or what if a friend was looking after the kids (but had made a separate booking)? Doubt the people in the huts at the entrance would give much of a shite. Surely you just flash your wristband at them.

callmeadoctor · 05/03/2017 22:21

Children's Supervision & Parental Responsibility
See 10 above. You are responsible for the supervision of all members of your party under the age of 21. You must supervise your children and babies at all times unless a child is participating in an activity supervised by us such as the Time Out Club. This is particularly important in all children's play areas, in licensed areas, close to lakes and waterways, whilst cycling and in the swimming pools, where specific supervision ratios apply. These are displayed in our "Inside Guide" and "Safety Guide " booklets and on notices.
You must collect your child(ren) from supervised activities at the appointed time. (Seems pretty clear)

callmeadoctor · 05/03/2017 22:23

All chatted, have you been recently? (To be fair, I haven't been for a few years, but they were amazingly strict when we were there last) However OP seems to have made up their mind and Im sure they will be fine, however the ifs and buts would worry me.

HarrietVane99 · 05/03/2017 22:23

Isn't there some more appropriate term than 'babysitter'? These children are not babies!

celtiethree · 05/03/2017 22:26

Except kids over the age of 8 are allowed in the swimming pools by themselves. Does the lifeguard count as supervision. I've been to centre Parcs many times and certainly have not supervised my kids while they have been cycling, swimming and in play parks. It's completely unenforceable and just nonsense to suggest that children are supervised at all times, especially as that rule also applies to someone who is 20!! Do they expect that 20 year old to be escorted to and from activities????

allchattedout · 05/03/2017 22:36

All chatted, have you been recently?

Yeah, went to the Elveden Forest one last year. I didn't leave the site though, but I would be surprised if they do anything more than check the wristbands when you come back in. What if the kids were being babysat/doing an activity (which appears to be fine)? Would the people at the entrance then phone up and check that was true or something?

I also managed to get away with parking my car outside the lodge (by accident) for 24 hours and so had a lot of the neighbours. There certainly isn't some sort of patrol coming round checking that all the rules are being followed.

allchattedout · 05/03/2017 22:39

Do they expect that 20 year old to be escorted to and from activities????

Yeah lol, so if the OP had a 20 year old, she would not be allowed offsite and would be reprimanded for not supervising. Sounds likely.

They just put that stuff in there to cover their arses. I saw loads of unsupervised relatively young kids cycling around and in the pool and stuff.

BusyBeez99 · 05/03/2017 22:46

I'm sorry but I'm a 'boss' and I would never expect an employee to do this. Stay with your kids at CP and tell your employers no.

If I were the potential client I would respect you for your decision

allchattedout · 05/03/2017 22:50

I'm sorry but I'm a 'boss' and I would never expect an employee to do this. Stay with your kids at CP and tell your employers no

Read the OP's posts. She is a partner (not an employee being forced to work by her boss) and this is to appease the client. Not all clients have respect for someone refusing to work during a family holiday- start-ups involve a lot of very hard work and sacrifices. She has said she is going in any event- the question is whether she brings her kids with her to her workplace or lets them order pizza and chill at centreparcs. I know what I would prefer as a teenager...

Patriciathestripper1 · 05/03/2017 22:52

Jayzus no to swimming unsupervised. If one got knocked in the pool out would the others know what to do? I just wouldn't leave them at the pool. Couldn't they just swim on the morning?
At the end of the day you know how sensible your dcs are. But got me I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving them at a pool unsupervised.
Pizza and lodge yes. Hope you have great time there.

feckitt · 05/03/2017 22:52

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JellyWitch · 05/03/2017 22:57

I'd leave them. You know how responsible they are and it's no worse, as you say, than if they werenodd round the park all day. Presumably they go out and about regularly on their own anyway, as you would expect at secondary school age.

celtiethree · 05/03/2017 22:58

At what age do people leave their kids unsupervised at pools these days?? You'd really go with your 14, 13 & 11 year old every single time at somewhere like Centre Parcs??