to not take the kids on holiday?

[Iamboudicca]

Trying to find a last minute option for half term. Southern part of the UK (can’t go abroad for lots of reasons - not least DH has just sent off for a new passport and doesn’t know if it will come in time).

DCs are 4&6 and it will probably be too cold for them at the beach, I quite liked the idea of going somewhere with a pool and on site activities but DH is not keen on people in general. More ‘exclusive’ places are out of our budget, DH isn’t good at caravans, and more popular places (Haven,butlins etc) - the thought of on site entertainment makes him shudder. I quite like the idea of a kids club.

We always self cater due to dietry restrictions so holidays can be a case of same shit different location for me. The kids always have a couple of nights of sleeping badly at the beginning of a trip.

What I really want is a nice hotel and some me time. The kids really just want to stay home, play with their toys/friends and go to the local park/pool.

Wibu to book 4 nights in a nice local hotel and share them with DH. One of us has 2 nights away while the other stays with the kids and then swop over?

I think I would probably go away with the DC and leave DH at home!

Why do you think his PP won't come back before HT? Is it not a UK PP?

My husband is the same ish as your DH in that he hates the holiday camps but he has to suck it up for the kids sake! Have you thought about center parks ,,its peaceful so you can have the activities or choose not to ..it might suit you all there? I think your idea of the 2 nights each sounds a bit of a faff but if its what you want go for it!

Your husband sounds exhausting. I'd go for it.

We looked at centre parks but its over budget, I work in a school so no flexibility on dates. It’s not just the passport - also brexit, can’t get travel ins for DS, left it too late to get affordable flights, trying to reduce carbon footprint- which is keeping us in the UK

Jesus, I'd rather leave the fussy DH at home and take the kids.

I'd take the kids or book a spa day (or use the kids club so basically do both) without misery guys. The evening events are naff as hell but you don't have to go. I quite enjoy them in the end as I just decide to get into it for the kids sake.

Your husband does sound rather demanding...
Are you anywhere near this lovely place?
Beautiful setting, indoor pool we’ve been there half a dozen times and it’s never crowded, no kids clubs though.

DH sounds like a bundle of fun.

Go have fun. You only live once

Your husband sounds like a fanny.
Kids club entertainment is hell but the little buggers love it so sucking up this kind of shit is part of being a parent.

It’s never a holiday with kids! It’s just the same old hard work but you’re paying to endure it in a different place.

If I had kids I’d board them in kennels for the week and knob off to the tropics!

Re the same shit different location, you can preorder food, ‘Cook’ type iirc and there’s a very well stocked small coop petrol station. I have a strict, ‘if it’s not there, we’re not eating it’, no traipsing round Tesco’s on my holidays! And there are several lovely pubs with excellent food within walking distance.

I would take the kids and leave DH. In fact that's what I'm doing in a couple of weeks.

Kids shouldn't miss out just because dh doesn't want to go away, just leave him behind!

You can order a supermarket shop to arrive when you do. Perfect self catering and would not work if the same if you left the UK. We used to go to caravans when I was a kid and my parents would be not really up for the entertainments or there weren't any, and we'd play UNO, cards and board games, visit the surrounding area like museums, beach, parks etc. Or national trust type stuff. It's cheaper going to places that don't have as much in the way of entertainment, but obviously there then wouldn't be kids club and as much for the kids, but the change of scenery is often a good thing. Flying kites, eating fish and chips out of paper on the beach, climbing trees, jumping in puddles, whatever it is doing it somewhere new makes it all a bit more interesting and exciting anyway.

I like the look of the place Etino has suggested, it is ideal.

There is a place near Okehampton in Devon which is a cheaper version of Center Parcs, The Manor House hotel.
Not quite the same pool but plenty of activities (and mainly included in the price). Your DH could go lose himself on Dartmoor and get away from the maddening crowd. Not sure how the dietary requirements would be catered for as not self catering.

It's kinda like you'd both get a mini break which with DC your age I'm sure you'd need.

My DC love caravan parks, We don't go to the evening entertainment and only join in with what we want. Maybe a long weekend or Mon to Fri would be enough for the DC. We don't have any babysitters so I'm not sure if that's an option for you?

@Etino - that place is lovely! Alas no availability for half term but going to save it for another time.

Unfortunatly Cook and other prepared meals are out due to special diets - believe me I went through their website with a fine tooth comb but there is nothing we can all eat ( dairy/tomato allergies).

Aww sorry @Iamboudicca
They often have reduced weekend availability if you can get away and we’ve got reduced rates at New Year too. Can’t recommend it highly enough.

you can do haven etc withoit using the clubs/entertainment .....when dc were smaller we would use the pools early -take it in turns then back fr lunch...walk somewhere - great to get on the beach if well wrapped up and they are more likely to be empty ...then chill in van etc with toys and books and then more fresh air walk then takeway/easy dinner
dc food basic that knew they would like, happy to lower nutrition standards for a week...

www.haven.com/parks/devon/devon-cliffs/
we went here more than once....pools good .never did anything else and the soft play in the middle of the slot machines was very depressing but just didnt go near it.....and the beach was deserted at easter and October half term...great for kites/sandcastle building/rook pooling/beach cricket
when we went...
there are great walks and stuff around there....friend has dn butlins in bognor and there was more to do as kids could do fairground rides and pools...................but you dont have to stay on site...see it as accommodation with pools!

Some Haven parks, like Perran Sands, have chalets as well as caravans. The one we stayed in was in a small group of 4 in amongst the dunes so even though it's a huge site it was quiet at that bit.

You don't have to use the evening entertainment, but when you have kids you have to compromise a bit so your DH is being unreasonable to refuse to go anywhere like that when there's so much for the kids to do.

Ditch DH.

If the kids want to stay at home and your husband is fussy why not just have a week at home with days out?