Husband booked a holiday,I don't want to do,aibu?

[breadbreadwine]

My husband has booked a holiday for the half term.
I thought fab,just what we need...till he told me he has bought a 6 man tent and we are going away to Scotland for a week in a tent.
He's booked a parkdene tent holiday.
It was £155 for 4 of us and he has paid £700 for a tent.
He has bought sleeping bags,fridge etc
He said it's to save money.

Aibu here ?
A week in a tent in Scotland with 2 kids who don't sleep anyway.
I'm not high maintenance but I'm worried about the toilet /shower situation

I'm not happy

It sounds fun, bit of an adventure.

Why wouldn't you be grateful that he has arranged everything for you as a surprise ?
Even if it's not your normal type of holiday, just embrace it, you might actually enjoy yourself. Camping is great for kids too.

Tell him to send the tent back. Tbh I would be absolutely furious.

Why wouldn't you be grateful that he has arranged everything for you as a surprise ?

Because that's just not true...he hasn't arranged everything.

This is bonkers.

• saving money but spending £700 on a tent
• booking without discussing with you
• buying a second hand non refundable rent
• going camping when your kids aren’t at the age of being able to sleep somewhat easily
• you having to spend more money to make it bearable
• you having to waste your time buying more shit so it isn’t an awful “holiday”

Honestly it would be a hard pass for me. We went away last year. A lovely cottage for 3 nights was £350. It had multiple bedrooms, a large bathroom, a living room, decent sized kitchen, and a secure driveway for our car. Even with fuel and spending money on visiting places, we didn’t come to anywhere near £700 and that was all in.

Saving money my arse. The man’s a moron.

Literally my idea of hell. Luckily husband is on the same page so this wouldn't happen for us - but is camping something you've discussed before?

Tent holidays are the best!

Why do people assume that all children like camping , mine couldn’t stand it at any age .

I love camping but there’s no way I’d ever book a camping holiday without consulting my partner - yanbu at all to expect to have a say in your own holiday! My partner doesn’t really like camping much, so I take the kids by myself for a few trips a year, and then he sometimes comes with us for one trip to a really nice site/somewhere he really wants to visit - his choice.

Invest in camp beds. They don't pop. Make easily re heatable meals, freeze for you to take and to act as cool packs in your cool bag.e.g spag bol.
Lots of booze, fleece blankets that can be covered in mud, then chucked in the washing machine, to cuddle up underneath.
Toys such as Frisbees are great but don't take up any room.
Are you on a serviced pitch? If you are and you have an electric hook up, take your plug in kettle.
Wellies for the mid night dash to the loo, grass is always dewy.

Could be fun? I bet it won't be as cold as when I got iced in one Easter in Snowdonia, and that still makes me laugh at how daft we were.

The Parkdean sites r really good normally have kids clubs a club house that does lots of entertainment and food. In door swimming pool. I have to say I have never stayed in a tent on 1 but a a mobile home so can’t comment on the toilets and showers but have never heard people complaining. Bring wine and try relax op. Ur husband probably thought he was doing somthing nice x

The tent was £700 SECOND HAND?
Wow.
It may not be returnable but it could be re-listed on eBay.

Oh yeah like some1 side there will be an electric and that 4 the tent. X

Stump up for a caravan for yourself for 4nights for £199 (seems all that’s left) or book a nearby B&B and let them camp.
“Mummy has a bad back”.
He camps with the kids.
That or the tent goes back on Ebay plus the extras now purchased.

Well that sounds shit. Perhaps it won’t be though 😀

Wouldn't bother me as it sounds like he's got decent equipment and electric hook up...... Also park Dean sites are fab.

However, has he not looked out the window at the weather recently? 🤔

Spending £700 on a tent to ‘save money’ sounds rather crazy if you’ve never been camping before. If you hate it and never go again, that’s £700 wasted. Would have been much better to buy a cheap tent initially to try it out.

But the main issue here is why on earth did your husband book it without consulting you? Madness.

I pretty much hate camping BUT kids tend to love it as long as they are comfortable. I would find out as much as possible about the camp site and the area and make a schedule for the week with things to do each day. Check the weather as the date is coming up and make sure you are equipped. As long as you are warm and dry and the beds are reasonable (for a tent) you can probably avoid most/all cooking by eating on site and the kids will be entertained by the site entertainment so might be a rest for you!

Tent goes back on eBay pronto to catch the summer market. He can simply cut and paste the ad he bought it from.
Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks; it's not a holiday you will enjoy so it's a nonstarter.

And it is saving money really. Yes, the initial outlay is expensive. But if the kids enjoy it and the adults stop moaning long enough to let themselves enjoy it then it's endless cheap holidays and weekend breaks. Not everyone enjoys camping and that's fine, but plenty give it a go and love it. It must be popular for a reason.

I don't know why on earth you're spending a load of extra money on throws and chairs. Cut your losses and book an actual holiday instead!

Oh come on it could be fun. Plus I don’t think he is controlling. Next time tho you choose the family holiday xxx

I’d be like off you go then, see you manage that. I’m staying home.

You aren't actually thinking of going on this holiday? Holidays with small children are hard work, this is hard work with no proper kitchen, nothing feeling dry and not being properly warm the entire time.

I would get a good box set, something tasty in and look forward to a nice cosy staycation in a house with heating and walls that don't bend.

Parkdean isn't real camping.... There will be loads on site, including toilet and shower facilities. He would have saved money by just booking an actual Parkdean holiday with the accommodation included.

Such a shame really as Scotland has the most beautiful scenery in the world. Just wrap up warm, plenty of jumpers and woollies, it's still cold!

I’m high maintenance and I would hate even the idea of a tent hols. Frozen ass guaranteed this time of the year in Scotland!