Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

On holiday with friend and her kids; it's not going well

542 replies

GlummyMcGlummerson · 22/08/2020 11:35

For context, my DD (8)was diagnosed a few weeks ago with a (mild) neurological condition. As part of this she has good days and bad days - good days she’s a normal 8yo with a normal routine, bad days she get dizzy spells, nausea, headaches (usually triggered by noise or bright lights) and sleeps a lot. She’ll have a 1-2 hour nap and then 14-15 hours at night. I am essentially waiting to see if she gets over it on her own before considering treatment, on advice of her doctor.

We (me, DD and 4yo DS) are on week-long UK holiday with my friend and her kids who are the same age as mine, a couple of hours from where we live. My friend’s 8yo - lets call her Emma - is a sensitive child, always has been, my friend has discussed it with me before, but I never gave it too much thought, my own DD can certainly be sensitive. However we are now on day 4 of the holiday, and living in close quarters with them I’ve realised she’s VERY over sensitive and it’s affecting everyone’s enjoyment of the holiday, and more importantly my DD’s condition. Emma is NT.

A few examples
⁃ they were colouring the other day and Emma went slightly over the lines in her picture. She burst into tears, blamed her mum because her mum was talking to me, and cried for half an hour, chucking her paper in the bin
⁃ - they put a “play” on for us the other night and Emma jumbled up for words. She got really upset, sat on the floor sobbing with her arms folded and refused to finish the play, which annoyed DD the others as they wanted to show us.
⁃ She stubbed her toe on the sofa yesterday and had a totally OTT reaction. She grabbed her foot, rolled around on the floor and screamed the most high pitched scream I’ve ever heard, relentlessly, for 20 minutes. I had to take DD out the room as it brought on a headache. If you overheard you’d think she’d have been stabbed. Her toe was fine, no break and no bruise.
⁃ We went for a picnic yesterday and when we packed up we told the kids that they all had to carry something back and we gave Emma the (lightweight) picnic blanket to carry. After a couple of minutes of walking back to the lodge, and heard a shriek. We turned around and she was about 10m away sitting on the ground crying hysterically. She said it was because the blanket was too heavy then we all left her behind. My friend had to carry for uphill back to the lodge and she cried all the way.

It’s lots of little things all the time. As to not drip feed, my friend’s DH has said before (in front of my friend) he thinks Emma’s sensitivity is exacerbated by her mum babying her. I (secretly) agree - she carries her a lot because she “gets tired legs” - such as round the supermarket, or from a restaurant to the car, or out of someone’s house. She also apologises to her a lot where I don’t think it’s necessary - she apologised for “making” her go over the lines when colouring. She also lays with her every night til she falls asleep - singing a lullaby or scratching her back, for about 1-2 hours. Her 4yo goes to sleep alone! The last 3 nights I’ve looked forward to having a bottle of wine with my friend, but she doesn’t usually come down til 10pm from putting Emma to bed. She’s attempted making her fall asleep alone before but had little success.

Anyway DD has been quite good about Emma’s tantrums considering she hasn’t been well, and every day has been a “bad day” for her. But last night when DD started to feel sleepy around 6pm, and Emma wanted her to play a game. DD said no she just wanted to watch a bit of TV, and Emma has a strop and told her mum that DD was a “bad friend”. At that point DD burst into tears and said to me, in front of Emma, that this is a rubbish holiday and Emma is ruining it 😬 well, merry hell broke loose and I took DD to bed to try and diffuse the situation.

Me and my friend had a bottle of wine and a bit of a grumble last night about it all, she said she has a daily struggle with Emma being so sensitive and her DH goes out the house for hours at a time to sit in a car park because he can’t stand the noise.

When I woke DD up today she said that she feels sick all the time and wants to go home Sad. TBH I feel the same way, I’m sick of the shrieking and whilst I feel sorry for my friend it’s making it an unenjoyable holiday.

I figure I have 4 options:
1. Go home - say DD just isn’t well enough (DS is very chilled out and likely wouldn’t mind this but I’m loathe to cut his holiday short)
2. Tell my friend how Emma’s behaviour is affecting DD and ask her to speak to her or step in before it escalates
3. Do more as a family of three separately from the other family and maybe just meet them for dinner
4. Say nothing, they’re kids and will get over it
WWYD?

OP posts:
GlummyMcGlummerson · 23/08/2020 00:13

I have read you on here and know you are a sensible person but for the life of me I can't understand why you agreed to go on holiday if you knew her child was like this ? Glummy ??

I knew she was sensitive and prone to sulking but aren't all kids? I didn't expect this!
I booked it as it's my first full summer as a single mum and quite honestly I was scared to go on holiday with just the kids, I didn't wanna feel lonely or run down, I didn't want to miss having an adult there.
Oh well, lesson learnt! I think next summer I'll have to pull my big girl pants up and fly solo on holiday (well with the LO's of course)

OP posts:
HotPenguin · 23/08/2020 00:18

I'm really surprised that you find Emma's behaviour unusual. It's pretty normal for kids to have tantrums etc. The going over the lines for example, it isn't about the colouring per se, it's because she's having to share her mum's attention with you 24/7 and she's struggling with it.

It's really unfortunate that your daughter is unwell and obviously that's adding to the stress of things and making it hard to have a holiday that suits everyone, don't you think this is perhaps the real reason why the holiday is difficult?

twicenice · 23/08/2020 00:19

Emma sounds like she has autism. She has sensitively, OCD, anxiety, sensory problems, no emotional regulation, pain to name a few things.
The pain in the legs is very common my son has it he can't walk far. And far from the mother pandering if she was, she would not be attempting this holiday with you. The poor mother is probably at the end of her tether and the father sounds like a bastard, leaving his wife for hours at a time to deal with their daughter then bitch and blame her for the behaviour.
What a charmer.
On you holiday, try and do some more things with just the three if you, even the best friendships need breaks and share a bottle of wine at night and try very gently to broach the subject of her behaviours, start with your worries about you daughter.

Grrretel · 23/08/2020 00:38

@GlummyMcGlummerson you realise these threads also get posted to Twitter and Facebook and ones with hundreds of replies are also often picked up by the Daily Mail online and other papers? Unless your friend (and no one who would know the details/recognise her) doesn't use any kind of social media or read online news then I wouldn't be certain she won't come across this.

SaltyLou · 23/08/2020 00:45

I suggest maybe 3 then you are not doing yourselves out of a decent holiday. You and your kids deserve a good time especially your DD

Anordinarymum · 23/08/2020 00:47

@GlummyMcGlummerson

I have read you on here and know you are a sensible person but for the life of me I can't understand why you agreed to go on holiday if you knew her child was like this ? Glummy ??

I knew she was sensitive and prone to sulking but aren't all kids? I didn't expect this!
I booked it as it's my first full summer as a single mum and quite honestly I was scared to go on holiday with just the kids, I didn't wanna feel lonely or run down, I didn't want to miss having an adult there.
Oh well, lesson learnt! I think next summer I'll have to pull my big girl pants up and fly solo on holiday (well with the LO's of course)

I holidayed with mine alone and it was fraught fine. You still get time to enjoy but maybe not quite as much as you would like. However, a holiday sounds wonderful and I am slightly jealous. I'm sorry to hear your daughter is unwell. I would try and stick it out, but make excuses and sneak off with your child for short periods to keep sane.
AhNowTed · 23/08/2020 00:59

@GlummyMcGlummerson

What a refreshing thread to see an adult response to a problem, and keeping their friendship intact.

No drama, it's great to see.

differentnameforthis · 23/08/2020 01:21

@AIMD

I’m disgusted by some of the comment on here about this child based on very minimal information. “Drama queen” “spoiled brat”.
Same.

Adults name calling a child who behaves the way she does through no fault of her own.

And we wonder why kids bully.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 23/08/2020 05:09

@GlummyMcGlummerson - I'm glad you bit the bullet and left, good choice. Now your DD can rest and recover and hopefully you can have a couple of days away elsewhere.

Regarding what you've said re. dyspraxia and showing your friend a link - can I suggest you have a look at this one too, and consider showing her this too? It's an article about "Rejection Sensitive dysphoria" which can be linked with ADHD, although it's not a "diagnostic symptom" in the DSM - but parents with children who are diagnosed with ADHD recognise it as being "their child".
www.additudemag.com/rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-adhd-emotional-dysregulation/?
"Emotional dysregulation" is a symptom that contributes to the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD, by the way.

Hope it helps your friend in terms of deciding whether or not she needs to pursue a diagnosis for her DD - or even in just understanding how/why her DD might be reacting the way she does.

aSofaNearYou · 23/08/2020 08:38

I'm really surprised that you find Emma's behaviour unusual. It's pretty normal for kids to have tantrums etc. The going over the lines for example, it's not about the colouring per se, it's because she's having to share her mum's attention with you 24/7 and she's struggling with it.

She's 8, not 3.

Whether it's a sign of her not being NT or not, a half an hour screaming tantrum triggered by this is not just normal behaviour for an 8 year old.

SchrodingersUnicorn · 23/08/2020 08:41

So glad you got it sorted OP Flowers you sound like you are good friends to each other.
On your update post, have you accidentally mentioned your nephew's name?

Shedpaint · 23/08/2020 08:59

How did you leave things with your friend. Was she ok about you leaving?

OhCaptain · 23/08/2020 09:47

What’s with the sudden influx of posters who don’t bother to read the thread?

They’ve even made it easy to read OP’s posts only. There’s really no excuse!

EmbarrassingAdmissions · 23/08/2020 09:50

@GlummyMcGlummerson

I just wanted to say that I hope everything settles down for your DD and that this is something that she 'grows out of' without the need for further intervention.

Fingers crossed for your 2 days away!

Yesmate · 23/08/2020 10:54

OP I have just seen you say you were worried about being alone on holiday as it’s your first summer as a single parent. Just wanted to say I go away every year just me and my little man and I love it, embrace it and go for it next summer and you will have a blast I promise!

BlogTheBlogger · 23/08/2020 12:30

@ohcaptain their time is far more precious than us thread reading suckers doncha know Grin

Alwaysinpain · 23/08/2020 13:09

@GlummyMcGlummerson

WE ARE HOME!!

And we parted on good terms Smile

I was honest with my friend and said the constant noise and stress is triggering DD's symptoms and I couldn't see it getting any better, and the fairest thing for all the kids would be to take her home. I told her how bad I felt and said I love her and hope she doesn't hold it against me.

I really am very lucky to have her as she was completely understanding and said she didn't blame me at all. She said we will have a weekend somewhere just the two of us as soon as we can.

So we got home 20 minutes ago, DD is so happy and I've booked a hotel in York for Monday and Tuesday. It's refundable in case DD doesn't feel up to it. May do Lightwater Valley, weather permitting!

Re the DH, he puts the youngest to bed as Emma will only let her mum put her to bed. She's never had a night away from Emma (the youngest goes to grandma now and again). She probably does treat them differently but in fairness her 4yo is unbelievably laid back and independent. Same as my DS, you barely know they're there! I personally think her DH treats their 4yo better, he definitely has more time for the 'easy' child, I'd never say it out loud though. Poor Emma Sad

I don't know why I didn't think of dyspraxia, my nephew has it and displays very similar symptoms to Emma! When the dust settles in a couple of days I will send my friend a link and say re what we were discussing, Emma is quite similar Charlie and have a read of this. She won't be offended.

I think it’s unfair on your ex the holiday should be cut short

@Flynn999 Confusedwhat has my ex got to do with it? He isn't even seeing them until Friday!

I live near Lightwater Valley and just to let you know, there's also a Treetop Nets place right next door to it! It's fantastic and perfect for an 8yr old 👍🏻

Enjoy York, it's a beautiful, beautiful place. The Railway Museum is worth a visit - it's free as well! Brew

OhCaptain · 23/08/2020 13:11

[quote BlogTheBlogger]@ohcaptain their time is far more precious than us thread reading suckers doncha know Grin[/quote]
Clearly 😂😂

Den1se · 23/08/2020 17:30

what does dad think?

Jojofjo44 · 23/08/2020 17:36

Sorry what does NT and non NT mean? One of the abbreviations I don't know/can't find.

exaltedwombat · 23/08/2020 17:37

Don't worry about analyzing everyone's behaviour and the reasons for it. Do separate things tomorrow perhaps. Or just cope. Or go home. The world won't end either way.

I bet they were worse when they were 2!

FelicisNox · 23/08/2020 17:40

I would go home.

Tell your friend that DD is unwell and you need to put hers needs 1st in this instance and sadly this has all been exacerbated by her DD behaviour.

Be calm and kind but clear on your reasons for leaving. Tell her you totally understand how difficult this situation is for her and you want to be as supportive as possible but not to the detriment of your DD at this moment in time and you will discuss it again at a later stage.

Give her a hug and leave on good terms but stick to your word: discuss it again and tell her she has made a rod for her own back which she needs to start reversing ASAP. If nothing else, her marriage is on the line is her DH is sitting in his car for hours.

He's right. Your friend has built an unhealthy co dependant relationship which she needs to rectify ASAP because it will only get worse as her DD gets older. If that doesn't motivate her nothing will.

She can start by using time outs, firm language and rewarding good behaviour. It won't be easy but it is achievable.

iklboo · 23/08/2020 17:42

I would go home.

She was home by half eight last night.

iklboo · 23/08/2020 17:44

@Jojofjo44 - Neurotypical and non-Neurotypical (children / people who might additional needs).

SignOnTheWindow · 23/08/2020 17:44

@BGirlBouillabaisse

Like lots of PP have alluded to, it sounds like Emma has Autism/ADHD.

DS1 is 7 and has Asperger's (diagnosed recently by clinical psychologist). Some of his behaviour is similar. Emma sounds like she has the female version.

I would not assume she's NT. The people on this thread judging a parent of a child with possible disabilities should count themselves lucky that their own DC don't face these challenges.

Yes, having worked with many children on the spectrum, I agree this does sound like a possible interpretation of at the very least some of Emma's behaviour.
Swipe left for the next trending thread