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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To take just one of the dc on holiday?

118 replies

Strawberryshortcake40 · 22/03/2017 09:10

Divorced last year. 3 dc, one now at uni.

Ex was supposed to take all 3 on holiday this year but cancelled. No real reason except he thinks it would be hard work (and instead has booked 3 holidays for himself...). The original plan had been for me to do a low key holiday with them as his plan was something big. obviously now unless I sort something they won't go away (not the end of the world but stressful times at mo mean I think we all need a break)

DC1 will only go if it's for a few days, and to something cultural not hot. She's fine if we go away without her.

DC3 is happy doing anything at all.

DC2 tells me this morning she doesn't mind where we go. But every suggestion I give is turned down. She is currently recovering from a relapse of anorexia so I can see that she isn't 100% in the zone for this but she refuses to show any interest at all. And in fact has been pretty vile about it all.

AIBU to leave her with her dad for a week (who no doubt will struggle but it's his job surely??) and take my youngest who is really trying so hard to cope with all the problems at home and is desperate for some fun (and preferably all inclusive ice cream...). Or do I need to suck up another year without a proper break?

OP posts:
FrancisCrawford · 23/03/2017 06:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Astoria7974 · 23/03/2017 06:35

Dd3 should be your priority. Dd2 has made her bed and now needs to suffer the consequences. Dd1 is an adult and if she doesn't want to go then fair enough.

Donthate · 23/03/2017 06:43

I think you need s holiday but you need to tread carefully so that you don't end up in a harder position when you get back. They must all feel rejected by their dad. You don't want to add to that.

1horatio · 23/03/2017 06:57

You have all been under a tremendous amount of stress. And maybe a weekend (or more?) away just DD3 and you will be good for you?

DD2 is old enough to make a decision between two totally doable options.
It sounds like DC3 now deserves to be the focus for a few days....

Badbadtromance · 23/03/2017 07:39

I've just done that. Went away and my teen didn't want to come so just took other DC. Teen stayed with family and we all had a great time!!

Edballsisoneniftydancer · 23/03/2017 08:00

Dd2 has made her bed and now needs to suffer the consequences

Bit harsh? Presumably she didn't choose to have an EO (not underestimating the devastating effect it has on the rest of the family as well, though)

Imbroglio · 23/03/2017 08:07

Could you take 15 year old for a short break and also take your youngest for a holiday? Mine enjoy city breaks or a couple of nights in a youth hostel in the UK. You could tailor to their interests.

DoNotBlameMeIVotedRemain · 23/03/2017 08:22

You sound exhausted and DD3 must be too. Take just her away and leave DD2 in her dad's care. She can do nice things with her friends while there. DD1 can also do something with her friends.

anotherdayanothersquabble · 23/03/2017 08:27

Wishing you a magic wand, wisdom and a holiday fairy.... an au pair maybe.... someone who could help with the summer holidays and allow you time with all three??

happypoobum · 23/03/2017 08:37

This brought back memories! I had a similar situation with a stroppy 15 year old (I do appreciate your DD2s issues exceed stroppy) and a younger child who is happy to go anywhere. I also now have a 19 year old DD who would rather stay home than do a sun holiday.

This is what I would do if finances allow. Take DD1 away for two nights to a city of her choice - I am guessing Paris, Rome, Madrid, that kind of thing of what she wants? Not horribly expensive on expedia or travelrepublic.

Take DD3 to Menorca or similar for a week. I think you really need a break. Don't keep putting yourself last or you will crack (voice of experience)

DD2 can be invited - if she refuses she stays with her father. If she comes she will be ignored if she tries to suck the joy out of it.

I tried giving mine all three choices of destination to write on slips of paper, and I chose one that we had all written. I knew DD would still kick off (she did) when we were there and she tried to say she had never even wanted to go there (Athens) but I had kept the slip of paper and shoved it triumphantly under her nose which shut her up for five minutes Grin

I hope you get it sorted and have a lovely time.

Crumbs1 · 23/03/2017 08:42

I wouldn't be letting a 15 year old dictate my holiday nor allowing them to decide whether they come or not. I'd look at somewhere that best met all our needs/wishes and booking it. She might want shopping but sounds like she needs the opposite. Somewhere the younger child can play as children should, somewhere adult pressures are removed from the 15 year old. Barcelona is lovely but maybe along h coast with a day trip in. Devon is nice - child friendly hotel or cottage and beautiful beaches, Salcombe are is brilliant for children.
I think I'd refuse the 15 year old the opportunity to manipulate more - Friends of my children with eating disorders were the most narcissistic and manipulative young people I've ever come across. They were terribly sad because they tried to get everything to be all about them and completely lost the pleasure of considering others.
The eldest should be offered opportunity but can decide.
If dads not taking them on holiday, he could maybe pay a bit towards additional costs.

rumblingDMexploitingbstds · 23/03/2017 08:55

Whatever you decide to do, you will not be able to make dd2 happy about it. I suspect if you give her the two options of dad or holiday of your and dc3's choice she will come with you and wreck it for you and dc3, as she will still need to express her inner mess the way she is currently needing to do at home. It's not her fault she is ill but she is old enough to be aware other people have needs, that as a family she cannot be the focus 100% of the time and that she has been offered multiple opportunities to pick a holiday and has made it clear she isn't willing or able to. You need a break to be able to go on supporting her, and there's a ten year old having a very tough time who needs a break from the stress and negativity and dd2's neediness, and to have your attention and time for a while. It's necessesary.

So dd2 goes to dad, no arguments, you gave her other options and she wasn't willing to choose and you and dd3 need a break. Dad just needs to step up here, for both dd2 and still more for dd3.

IamFriedSpam · 23/03/2017 08:56

Bit harsh? Presumably she didn't choose to have an EO

Exactly what I was thinking! Obviously the ED will have had a massive impact on the entire family but it's not like she was throwing a tantrum - she had a (potentially fatal) illness.

I do think it would be fine to give her the option between two holiday options (and make it clear that she's welcome and you'd like her company) or staying with her dad.

rumblingDMexploitingbstds · 23/03/2017 08:57

Just re read and that sounds very unsympathetic to dd2, and I'm really not. She's ill, that's not her fault, but her illness can't rule the family.

pinkdelight · 23/03/2017 09:20

When I was at that tricky DD2 age my parents helped by letting me bring a friend on holiday. Would that help your DD feel happier and allow her to be more independent of you and DC3 on your hols? It may not be appropriate in your situation but just chucking it out there...

katronfon · 23/03/2017 09:22

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SootSprite · 23/03/2017 09:27

It must be horrible for you, for all of you. I think I'd find somewhere nice that you think would work for both dd2 and dd3 and then give her the choice. She either comes with you and makes a bit of an effort, or she goes to her dads for a week. As someone else said, then it's HER choice, not yours. You have my sympathies OP, sending you 🍰🍦and 🍷 X

katronfon · 23/03/2017 09:54

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JorahsMissus · 23/03/2017 09:56

I would tell DD2 'I'm booking X place for the holiday, you can come if you want or you can stay with your dad and I'll give you some money for new clothes'. And the place I chose for the holiday would be something DD3 would like.

Strawberryshortcake40 · 23/03/2017 10:06

Thank you all.
Am thinking a lot on this.
We did go away for a short break last year when she was deemed in recovery. It was very hard work for all of us. Jet lag meant she didn't want to eat and every meal/snack was a battle of her choosing where to eat/what she would eat and then taking hours over it.

And to force her to eat something not of her choosing would have meant we would still be there!!

Also she went into overdrive with her exercising as we were walking each day. She started plotting her steps, running in front etc. In fact with hindsight that's when the relapse began.

I spent 4 days saying "sit down", "just eat it", with both her sisters getting utterly frustrated.

I can't put into words how much I hate this illness and what it does to sweet lovely kids with bright futures. And to their siblings.

But I know, in my heart, that she will go downhill fast at her dads as he doesn't take her illness as seriously as he should (or only when it suits him).

OP posts:
Strawberryshortcake40 · 23/03/2017 10:07

But I need a break. So does her little sister.

OP posts:
katronfon · 23/03/2017 10:13

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anotherdayanothersquabble · 23/03/2017 10:20

Heartbreaking .... I have no answers...

Strawberryshortcake40 · 23/03/2017 10:20

One night every weekend. One day. No more than that. So not much scope in that.

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welovepancakes · 23/03/2017 10:37

Do you have siblings who could include your youngest in their family holiday? A chance for your 10 year old to enjoy time with her cousins?