To go to a festival without the kids

[cheesenpickles]

So, I love festivals. Absolutely adore them and, in fact, got into my line of work because of them.

I've got the opportunity to go to an amazing festival, totally free of charge with fancy upgrade which I'd never be able to afford/justify normally.

Problem is it runs from a Thursday through to a Monday and we have two dc under the age of 5.

I can take the kids but a) I don't really want to b) we can't camp in the fancy upgrade bit because it's got adult entertainment etc. The fancy upgrade but kind of ties in with my job though and a lot of the festival you won't be able to experience with the kids. Plus it's exhausting enough without having to deal with small people. Longest I've been away from them is one night in four off years.

Dh is saying it's not feasible. It's not fair to ask someone else to watch the kids for 4 nights, he'd have to take time off work etc.

I said about taking a friend with me instead and he can watch the kids, not worry about his back and camping (his major concern) and wouldn't have to take time off work. He doesn't like this plan either.

WIBU to insist on going? Does that make me a bad parent?

God no.

Part of work. How many times have you looked after the children while DH works/ goes on stag dos?

Just go. It is far more fun without kids (and husbands probably)

Go Go Go!!! We do both festivals with and without the kids. The ones without are heaven! I love taking them but there is that true sense of festival freedom going child free! I'm jealous, please go so I can live vicariously through you 😂😂

You have to go. With your friend. My husband would have offered to stay home with the children in these circumstances. He was always happy to look after them if I had an opportunity to go off for a weekend with friends or relatives (not that it was very often, but a few times throughout their childhood). What bit of the plan doesn't he like? The fact that you're going with a friend, or that he doesn't get to go?

Just maybe say it is for your work? and go.

If he protests just reassure him 'You'll manage fine, don't worry!"

Absolutely go. It won’t hurt anyone and you’ll have a great time!

He's just looked up at the line up and seen one of his bucket list acts so we're going. 🤣

DH doesn't want to go. Problem is, he doesn't want you to go either... Do you usually do things apart?

Nothing worse than a dog in a manger, but of course you wouldn't be U to go. I go away for at least two long weekends a year and have at least one night away a month (usually to friends, not spending cash) on my own. Wouldn't be able to survive family life without it.

X post - I'm glad you got the result you wanted but that actually boils my piss - funny how it's going to be easy to get a babysitter now that he wants to do it!

He's basically said to accept it and wait for the days and timings to be sent out and work it out from there. It's tricky because we do have a grandparent that will watch the kids overnight but numerous nights is a big ask and I struggle with them like that too tbh. Even if maybe we both go and he heads back etc to relieve grandparent etc.

He works away a lot so when he's at home he hates to be away from the kids. I work away on occasion but I'm fortunate that I can take him and the kids with me, but equally means I like to embrace any opportunity to get away from them as well.

It's purely logistical issues and not wanting to put people out rather than him "not wanting" etc.