To think the teen should sleep out on the boat

[Orangeblossom78]

rather than me?

We have a small old sailing boat which DH has done up, an old kit boat from the 1970s. A project.

It's quite small- for two really to sleep on- but at at a pinch, and with a tent affair another two can sleep out on the back of it. It's pretty unpleasant though, hard, like on a bench, and cold too..

Anyway talk of going away on it for a few days is filling me with dread. I'm mid 40s, perimenopausal, nearly to get my period and back got worse in lockdown. Baths seem to help a bit.

DC are not small anymore- they are 11 and 15. Two boys. DH thinks I am being mean to suggest perhaps the teen could sleep outside so I could have the space inside with the younger one.

I feel it is mainly them who are keen to go, so that is kind of fair? AIBU and mean?

There is no way I would contemplate getting on that boat. Tell them to crack on without you.

Urgh. No, it would be awful. I'm also 40's and would have managed fine 15 years ago but not now.

I do think it is mean of you to want your 15yo DS to sleep in a highly uncomfortable situation.
If as you say it "is mainly them who are keen to go", why don't you just stay home? You do sound a bit like hard work OP.

A 15 year old might actually like sleeping on deck, they can usually sleep anywhere.

I don't think the op sounds like hard work at all, she is being expected to go on a miserable holiday with inadequate accommodation. It wouldn't suit a lot of people and I don't know why she is even considering it.

Good decision OP. Enjoy your staycation and please report back afterwards. It will be interesting to hear how the "boys' trip" went, and how well they slept (or didn't) afterwards.

My parents had a 30ft motorboat, with one large 5 berth cabin and a seperate tiny toilet which was like a cupboard inside. We had many family holidays on it, but it always felt very cramped and claustrophobic. As a teenager I begged them to let me stay at home alone, and they finally relented when I was 17. That said, it is lovely being out on a boat when the weather's sunny - day trips sound like a better option for you.

I'm concerned about your back, op. Do you know what is causing your back ache and are you having any treatment for it?

Sod that! I wouldn't be going and actually my teen DS wouldn't be, either. He's even more prissy than me. He hates his clothes getting dirty and as for using a portoloo... forget it.

Stay home, OP. Get yourself some and and spend a lovely evening on Mumsnet !

Is it me? Is the boat in the water or in a yard somewhere?

Don’t go! Yes to telling them it’s because of your period. Yes to booking them all (or threatening to) a yoga retreat. Hell yes to Don’t go!

We used to hike and camp, I taught my dh to hike and camp. There is no way the kids would be inside and me outside If they were teens! It’s be more like cabin for me , poss dh and any under 10s and a tent for the rest