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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Wibu to just go home?

63 replies

Chopbob · 27/07/2019 20:19

DH, DC x2 and I are spending a few days away in a lovely little cottage in the U.K.

It was something that we couldn't really afford but quality time with dcs is important- so we tightened our belts and made it happen.

The village is lovely
The cottage is lovely
The drive here...lovely.
Getting on great with Dh

...and the kids are being an absolute disgrace.
In the car journey they screamed, fought, ripped up their magazines that we had bought for them so they could throw it around the car.
They both threw such a huge tantrum at a tourist village that we had to leave- tantrums about wanting toys/sweets. They had already been bought both.
Now they have rubbed food into the sofa at the cottage, and spilled a full glass of milk on the other sofa. It has stained.

I'm at the end of my tether. It's been awful. Plus it's never stopped pissing down. All. Fucking. Day.

Wwbu to just go home tomorrow?

OP posts:
Wherearemycrayons · 27/07/2019 20:22

How have you punished them? Are they usually like this? How old are they? If they’re old enough to know better I’d be loathed to let them ruin it but if not then it’s a tough one really

TixieLix · 27/07/2019 20:23

Well it's going to cost you to have the sofas cleaned OP. The one with the milk will stink if it's not professionally cleaned. How old are you DCs? Their behaviour sounds disgraceful.

RockyRolly · 27/07/2019 20:24

How old are they?

Jade218 · 27/07/2019 20:25

YANBU. And then at least if they ever play up again you can remind them and use it as an example that if the swans thing happens in future you will keep going home until they behave.

catofdoom · 27/07/2019 20:27

It's really hard to say without knowing how old they are.

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 27/07/2019 20:27

Sounds like a nightmare tbh. How old are the kids?

MRex · 27/07/2019 20:29

Is it your first day there? Send them to bed and tell them everyone will try again tomorrow, that you expect them to wake up and be nice and have fun as a whole family.

shesgrownhorns · 27/07/2019 20:29

What punishment can you enforce that'll hit them hard right away and which you'll be able to stick to?

StinkinDrink · 27/07/2019 20:29

Argh God! Sounds like nightmare! Kids can be such ungrateful little toads sometimes. I would try and scrub the sofas, make them pick every last bit of magazine up from the car, pour a glass of wine and pray they are better behaved tomorrow. If not then no more holidays for them! Hopefully it's just excitement and might wear out soon Flowers

Original poster
Chopbob · 27/07/2019 20:29

They are 4 and 6 so only young.
The 4yr old is going through a tricky stage atm, but the 6yr old is normally good as gold. Today has been amongst the worst days as a parent ever.
I just feel like nobody is having a nice time so why am I pushing it? But then I think how hard we saved and I get really cross with them

OP posts:
Original poster
Chopbob · 27/07/2019 20:31

I'll pour a large gin and tonic!

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 27/07/2019 20:32

What punishments have you enforced?

Don’t go home if you’ve saved up so much but can’t let them get away with this behaviour either

louise5754 · 27/07/2019 20:34

Just sounds like a usual holiday at that age. Sorry OP x

sakura06 · 27/07/2019 20:34

Sympathies OP! My 4 year old is going through a tough stage too! WineThanks

shesgrownhorns · 27/07/2019 20:36

4 and 6. Hmmm... both old enough for decent punishments or threats re tomorrow.

Can you think of anything that would hit them where it hurts, and get ready to sit them down and warn them of the consequences in the morning?

Original poster
Chopbob · 27/07/2019 20:36

Punishment wise- after warning them we left the village without doing the activity that they had wanted to do. It was explained this was due to bad behaviour and we spoke about what had happened and how it made mummy and daddy feel.
After the milk. Bed time. Straight away. No story. Again explained how annoyed we were with the lack of respect for others property

OP posts:
cocopopsforthewin · 27/07/2019 20:44

Sounds like a trip I took with DS and OH last year to Edinburgh. Gorgeous place. Gorgeous apartment. But DS was a living nightmare! I just couldn't enjoy myself and he was in one of those phases where he tantrumed (not sure that's a word!) at anything and wverything and I just couldn't trust him to behave regardless of how much we disciplined or explained the consequences. We ended up going home two days early. Was a blessed relief to be back home where he immediately chilled out surrounded by all his usual toys and things! I was gutted to lose the money on the holiday but happier not to be there anymore and just couldn't take another day like it!

Heulog · 27/07/2019 20:46

I'd be really upset with them. I don't think you would bu to go home, but I'd want to have a shot at salvaging the holiday first. With my two (8&4) a carrot works so much better than a stick. I'd suggest at breakfast that they were on their best, most respectful behaviour to see if they can earn back whatever activity they missed out on today.

DontFundHate · 27/07/2019 20:47

Can you book them in to an activity tomorrow? Possibly there may be something going on nearby that they would enjoy that you can leave them at?! Try local Facebook group to ask? That's what I would do, then go and de-stress with DP somewhere!

HappyHammy · 27/07/2019 20:48

I'd be tempted to send them home and spend the rest of your holiday on your own

Stompythedinosaur · 27/07/2019 20:54

Honestly, they are quite young, I'd just try again tomorrow. I think stopping bedtime stories because they split a drink is unreasonable. I find it helps my dc if I go through what might happen and how I expect them to behave first (we might have to queue to do the activity, we can play eye spy, I don't want you to shout or fight).

theunrivalledjoysofparenting · 27/07/2019 20:57

With kids that age, I’d just allow them to eat at the dining table - if there is one.

Hope tomorrow is a better day.

Terminal5 · 27/07/2019 20:57

Children spill milk

Why did you let the children have milk in an open cup on a sofa?

Spitefulbreasts · 27/07/2019 21:01

Terminal5
Really helpful comment there. NOT

arethereanyleftatall · 27/07/2019 21:02

Do you mean they deliberately rubbed food and spilt milk in the sofa? Or was it an accident?

The former, I only know I'd go ape, I've no idea how I'd punish that! The latter, and they're only young, I wouldn't have punished that, but would make sure they ate /drank at a table.