To consider this? Holiday dilemma

[Toomanythings]

We booked two UK holidays for this Summer. We booked them ages ago. It's the same place we go every year but we are all really looking forward to it. It's only caravanning so hasn't cost much.

Now it's ended up that the weekend we go on the first holiday clashes with two quite important social events that teen ds has been invited to and really wants to attend.

I feel bad for him and don't want him to miss out. So I'm considering cutting the first two nights off the holiday and having 5 nights instead of 7.

I haven't even suggested it to dh yet but I don't think he'd be keen.

Wwyd?

I'd just go without the teen! How old are they? Can they stay with grandparents or friends?

And does your teen know the predicament? Maybe they will just say they aren't fussed to miss the events?

I'm assuming the 2 social events are on consecutive days?

How old is DS?

I have a similar dilemma and we have decided to lose 2 days of the holiday but that is out of 2 weeks. 2 out of 7 is a lot! Can you not go without him and he joins you later?

I'd do that too. Unless it's close enough to pick h up after the events. Obviously dependant on age.

You stay back for the two days with your teen and let your husband go ahead (with the other children?).

Ds is 13.

He does know the dates clash and is quite disappointed but doesn't know I'm considering delaying the holiday.

Staying with grandparents is a possibility but I guess ds would have to decide how he felt about missing the holiday.

Can DS come later by himself?

It doesn't seem to be a huge dilemma really, even if you have a 5 night break instead of 7. If you all arrive later, just make sure your hosts are aware so they know you're still coming.

Sorry, seen he's a teenager!

Ask him if he wants to go?

Will DH mind? Is he easy going?

How far is the caravan?

How far away from home is it? Is it worth you guys going and then picking him up from grandparents?

It's a 5 hour journey on a good run so too far I think for him to join us later otherwise I would definitely do that.

Can the grandparents put him on a train after his events?

Can he stay with grandparents and then catch the train?

You’re going to the same place twice? I’d probably suggest one of us stayed behind with teen and the other parent took the test on holiday. Then join later.

Dh is back now and reminded me that grandparents are away themselves too so that's that out of the question.

No sorry we aren't going to the same place twice. We've got two, week long uk breaks booked.

The first is in the same place we always go, then we go somewhere else for another week a few weeks later.

Compromise. One social event, one night missed from the holiday. He'll be made up.

And make the "lost" day a staycation day in the original sense of doing holiday things while sleeping in your own bed.

@TwoLeftElbows

Compromise. One social event, one night missed from the holiday. He'll be made up.

And make the "lost" day a staycation day in the original sense of doing holiday things while sleeping in your own bed.

This is a good idea imo.

Personally I’d do the 5 days, especially as you are having another week later. I think kids of that age have missed a lot of social events and time with their mates.

How far away is holiday place? Could he come after the events? Stay with grandparents or whatever to attend the events, you take his luggage with you and he follows on? Most 13 year olds should be capable of doing this if it isn't too far

5 hours by car or train?

The 1 day compromise sounds a good plan

Do you have other children? 1 parent takes other kids as planned to caravan place. 1 parent stays with teen, and joins the others 2 days later. Sorted!

If its a ten hour round trip (and assuming they are a two car family, its not going to be cheap to travel separately and tiring with no one to share the driving. At 13 Harry's pool party or the group trip to Alton Towers does become the single most important thing in your life. But it will barely be a memory in September. You don't have many years of family holidays left so make the whole seven days extra special.

I'd probably cut the holiday down to 5 days, assuming it didn't mean us being unable to do something specific we really wanted to do on the holiday iyswim. But if it is a case of four days at the beach/walking/pottering (whatever it is you have planned) rather than six, then I would prioritise your son's events, given what a crappy year it has been for teens. Especially as you have another 7-night trip planned.

CAn your DS sleep over with a friend after the event then get a train (with student railcard perhaps to make it cheaper) to somewhere near where you are?

Or is it not the done thing at 13 to get trains on ones own?

Yes maybe coming to agreement he can go to one of the events and then go a day later

That's a good idea