Wwyd? Aib selfish over holiday?

[Tractorprincess]

Long and short of it is we'd like to take the dc abroad this year but can't afford it.

We usually go to a lovely holiday apartment or cottage in the UK, 5*, very home from home, beach on the doorstep, short walk/train into town with more beaches, shops and restaurants, but, we have to make our own fun with games on the beach, day trips, picnics, walks, meals out etc.

We could, for the same price go to a butlins style holiday park in a caravan, accommodation wouldn't be as nice, not in so nice area and beach not so near, but there would be more 'entertainment' for the dc. A pool onsite, and children's activities.

I've never been anywhere like that and I know what I'd prefer. Wondering if the dc would prefer the latte and I should embrace this type of child friendly holiday?

How old are the DC

Butlins sounds awful
Go to the other one that you like and take them to the beach

I think the first option sounds so much nicer. But it depends on the age of your dc's. The younger they are the less they will need the entertainment Butlins provides.

Butlins is great for all ages. Do it!

If you go to Butlins and your DCs love it they will clamour to go there again and again.

We've done both.
We value the onsite activities, but don't do many as we still go 'out and about'.
When DDs were younger they liked the early evening disco / entertainment. DH likes the later entertainment, but DD and I often find it too loud.

My children who typically do 5* long haul beach or exciting USA city love going to Butlins with their granny and aunts.

Butlins is brilliant for kids

Eldest is 10 so feel a bit guilty.

Probably wouldn't go to Butlins but somewhere similar.

I think Haven sites are always close to the beach.

You're teaching your DCs something very valuable, and increasingly difficult to learn in these days - how to amuse themselves when entertainment isn't laid on for them. It'll stand them in good stead in their adult life, allow them to enjoy life without spending all their money on entertainment, and allow them to have fun without endlessly seeking novelty.

When my DD was younger we went to a holiday camp a few times and she loved the entertainment especially in the evenings tbh.

Whereabouts are you thinking of going? We like Cornwall and have enjoyed Hendra near Newquay, more tasteful than Haven with a fab pool and entertainment but a drive to the beach. St Ives holiday park is on the beach and had kids entertainment. My kids loved it and made loads of friends.

We usually go to holiday parks in the UK or Europe so the DC make friends and we can take a break from providing the entertainment.

MereDintofPandiculation We go to beach and moors all year round so my kids have loads of experience of making their own entertainment. We also think making friends and having a bit of independence from parents in a safe environment are also good life lessons.

Kids probably would prefer Butlins but I know which I'd prefer (hint : It isn't Butlins )

Scone it was Hendra I had in mind.

Usually stay near St Ives in a gorgeous holiday let waking up to sea views

We went to an all-inclusive holiday camp type place with our two last year - it's right next to the beach, has a pool, activities, night entertainment etc. Fuck me it was fantastic, I came home feeling like I'd really had a holiday, my son cried leaving. We're going again this year.

Butlins up in Skegness is good we had some great holiday up there- though think we stopped going before our eldest hit 10.

We had to go late in the season and found even if there was bad weather there was plenty to do with young children.

We swapped to self-catering near sea, at various locations in UK, which has also worked well and for us.

Wild horses wouldn't get me to a Butlins-type place, and reading between the lines I'd imagine you're the same. Your typical holiday sounds lovely.

I agree with MereDint, but also think that there's no need to dress holiday choices up as educational life lessons for children :)

Oh, and in answer to your question my older two are a bit older than yours and don't seem to have suffered for a lack of AI holiday parks in their lives thus far.

One of the things about being a kid is having to go on holidays your parents like. If you think you'll enjoy Butlins (because the kids are, or for whatever reason) then go, but otherwise don't. It's your holiday too! The main thing kids like is hanging out with YOU. Until they're a bit older, anyway...

My kids hated Butlins when they were small, and Haven even more so when they were a little older, both were horrible.
I would suggest the holiday cottage

Where did you go spaghetti?

I love my little cottage holidays, but I want the dc to have a good time too.

I don't mind the tackiness of a Butlins style holiday, I've no problem with swimming pools, kids activities and cheesy shows. It's all that might go with it I'm unsure of.

I'm imagining poor, dirty accommodation, lots of litter, rowdy people.

Could be wrong.

My mum was a single parent but our holidays were always of the former: stays in cottages and B&Bs, day trips, etc. Tbh I think both of us would have hated Butlins but I wasn't that type of child. I have really fond memories of our holidays –we did a cycling trip to Italy which was absolutely fantastic, although designed for adults.

It's your holiday too and it sounds like your kids have lots to do on the holidays you have, and everyone can enjoy it.

Look at The Park in Mawgan Porth. Best of both worlds.