AIBU/WIBU to take DS(15) Xbox on holiday next week?

[afromom]

Under normal circumstances I would NEVER consider this but...

Yesterday I took DS to A&E after he hurt his ankle on Saturday playing football. It seemed like a sprain at first, but started clicking yesterday when weight bearing. It's fractured!

DS turns 15 on Saturday. He has some mental health issues around previous hard times when he was younger and birthdays have always been really important and special for him. His main presents are trainers (which he now can't wear for months), he had loads of plans with friends, some of which are now not possible. He's also very conscious of his image (anxiety related) and is struggling with the concept of being centre of attention and being in public on crutches. He's massively down in the dumps!

On Tuesday we go on holiday (UK in a travelodge) for a few days. We ALL really need a holiday, massive workload for DP and I, DSD12 had a rough year, DS had a tricky year too. Currently DS is refusing to go.

My plan is to still go, but let DSD and DP go out in the day and explore beach etc, then plan some less mobile activities each day also that we can all do together (cinema, train ride)

I'm currently mid MBA and have loads of work to do, so my plan was for DS and I to stay in the room for half of each day (me studying and him on Xbox) whilst DP and DSD explore. Is this a reasonable plan? Would an Xbox work in a travelodge- not tech savvy so hoping someone who is can advise? Don't want to suggest if a no go anyway). I know devices on holiday are a no normally, but WIBU to do this under these circumstances?

Personally I can't see a problem with taking consoles if that is what you want to do, and we don't have any special circumstances like broken bones to consider.

We have always taken some kind of screen away with us, for keeping dcs occupied in the car and for use when not doing other activities. Generally it has been handheld devices like phones, 3ds, kindle etc but will also take the Switch. Have considered taking the PS3 in the past but weren't sure if the were the correct ports on the hotel tv's to connect it, so you might need to check that out before you take an Xbox. Nowadays we would consider borrowing or renting a small tv if needed, but that is mainly because we have four boys to keep occupied.

Sounds like a great plan TBH

I'll look into that orchidflower thanks, it may be useful for other car journeys too. I was worried about travelodge wifi capabilities. At the moment I'll buy anything that means we can get away and he cheers up!

Might be a good idea to bring a portable game console in case the Xbox doesn't work or just a tablet with a lot of games on installed.

Technically you won’t be allowed the Xbox in the Travelodge because they don’t allow use of electrical equipment that’s not been pat tested by them. Ditto mini fridges, microwaves and other such things guests try and smuggle in and think nobody will notice.

However if it’s unplugged and put away when you’re not in the room then housekeeping won’t see it and you won’t get the manager knocking on the door

Can the games be played offline? I'm guessing that's not really how it works? He seems to always be playing with friends.

There are games that don't need wifi but they are one player so you can't play with friends. It depends on what games he plays but my Ds seem to like online gaming.

If he wants to play with friends then you need the Internet.

What games does he play? He only needs wifi for certain things. Most of the games I play you don't need any internet connection.

Watch tv? Read a book?

Definitely dont ask the travel lodge as they will say no (PAT testing yadda yadda). You may not be able to access the back of the tv in the room though or the HDMI ports might be disabled? Could you take a computer monitor instead? You can plug a games console into a tv or monitor via an hdmi cable.

My kids take their console with a small computer monitor in one of those orla kiely type supermarket shopping bags when they go on sleepovers (!}, works well.

You can ask Travelodge about WiFi without mentioning the Xbox.

HDMI ports aren’t disabled. Guests use PlayStation/xboxes all the time.

Would it also be worth getting your ds a new game for his birthday - one that can be played offline if needs be...

Ds is 14 and he and some of his friends are currently massively into Farming Simulator 19, which definitely can be played offline. It’s not a game that in a million years I would have thought appealed to a load of teen boys living a very urban life (particularly as my bil is a farmer do we do get to go to a real farm and he doesn’t like the smells, the mud, getting too close to the animals etc ) but they seem to like virtual farming 🙄😂😂😂. Not suggesting going for that particular game obviously but there may well be another that he would enjoy and be something different and a treat if he is going to be inside playing lots of the time! Also does he have good headphones to go with his xbox so you can concentrate on your work without —dreadful— constant electronic game noise soundtrack to disturb you...

Standard rooms have a crappy small TV that is desk situated so if it has the right ports he will be able to connect it. Super rooms have a bigger wall mounted TV so while it is more likely to have the right connection, if the post is at the back of the TV he won't be able to access it.

Not looking so promising then. I did wonder if it would be allowed. Shouldn't be a problem hiding it away when out, we can take a big case. Perhaps I need to think of a plan B with his laptop instead.

You can stream XBOX onto the laptop via an app see here - so he could use his laptop as the display?

www.quora.com/How-do-I-use-a-laptop-as-a-monitor-for-a-Xbox-One-or-any-console-without-having-a-TV

That sounds like a good idea, I'll get him to try that tomorrow.
I've told him the idea and he seems up for it! So fingers crossed we have a relaxing holiday. Thank you for all of the tips and suggestions