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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Teachers and school age kids in holiday camps

31 replies

maybein2022 · 27/07/2022 15:48

Not a TAAT but sort of inspired by a couple of threads recently.

Say you’re a teacher or TA or on a term time only contract, with primary school age kids (I’m one of those people). So off for all the holidays. Views on putting your kids in holiday camp type things (sports related for example). Yes or no or depends? I have one in secondary (13) who I basically don’t see, she is off with her friends, camps have no appeal to her at all. Sometimes we might spend the day together or do stuff as a family, and she’s obviously coming on holiday with us soon.

I also have a younger one, (9) who loves sport, and actively asks to go to camps. We can afford it. I’m also pregnant so nice to have some down time. Out of the whole 6 weeks holiday he’s doing 4 days of one camp 9-3, and 4 days of another 9.30-1.00. So 8 days total, spread out, plus some days out, days chilling and our family holiday.

YABU- camps are unnecessary if you’re not working
YANBU- of course camps are fine if you can afford them and the kids are happy to go

OP posts:
alwksn · 27/07/2022 15:51

It's completely up to you as an individual/parent and no one else's opinion on the matter is important.

Schooldil3ma · 27/07/2022 15:56

Of course it's fine. Why wouldn't it be?

roundtable · 27/07/2022 16:01

I've got back from picking up one of the DC from football camp and the other one went to a different club. They both wanted to do it and it's nice to hear what they've been up to and has meant I can get some admin work for September done guilt free. Win win - go for it!

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 27/07/2022 16:05

Of course it s fine! If they want to go, and you can afford it, it sounds win win!

easyday · 27/07/2022 16:07

I didn't work and my kids did activities weeks during the summer. I spent plenty of time with them, but they liked being active and seeing friends and this was a great way to do that.

10HailMarys · 27/07/2022 16:11

I don't really see why this would be a dilemma? There's no right or wrong answer; just do what works for you and your family. Everyone's different.

In your case, you've got one kid who is really happy to mooch around and do her own thing, seeing friends etc, so she clearly isn't a summer camp kind of child and prefers to go with the flow and entertain herself/make her own arrangements. But your other child obviously really likes doing group stuff with other kids, team sports etc, so sounds like camps are ideal for him, whether you're at home or not. There's more to that kind of thing than just the childcare isn't there? And as you say, you can afford it so why wouldn't you send him, if he enjoys it?

EV117 · 27/07/2022 16:12

I think if you can afford camp and your DS is really keen to go it would make absolutely no sense not to send them, just because you’re also at home or because you’re keen to do things with them - that would be selfish and unreasonable surely. Why would you insist they spend the whole holiday with you when they have their own interests and friends they want to spend time with?
YANBU
I do know what you’re talking about though. I have heard mention of the ‘mum guilt’ for using childcare in the holidays when you don’t need it, even just for a day. And we’re not talking about just babies here. I think some parents do overestimate how much time their non-toddlers actually want to spend with them in favour of doing other things.

Skoolsout · 27/07/2022 16:13

I used to use camps and was a SAHM, not for all the school holidays but about a third to a half of the time.

PirateAha · 27/07/2022 16:15

Not quite the same but I'm a SAHM and I put the kids in clubs and camps during the summer holidays - they love it and I need the down time. Often the are such good value it's actually cheaper than a day out! I aim for 2/3 days with a mixture of both kids in camp (I get a break) and one of them in camp one having 121 time with me. Works for all of us!

PirateAha · 27/07/2022 16:16

*2/3 days a week!

Everythingiscopy · 27/07/2022 16:16

My DH is a teacher and we put my 4 year old into holiday club for a few days so she can see her friends (she’s an only child) and he can have a break. We’re even (shock horror) putting her in on MY day off so we can have a day just for us (we have no childcare help from family so this is the only way we get any couple time).

Paintsplat · 27/07/2022 16:16

Fwiw in my line of work we actively encourage foster carers - who by the nature of the role are less likely to be working full time and needing childcare for that reason - to put children in some holiday clubs due to the experiences they offer. I think a balance of time at home/with family and time with other children/doing things they wouldn't ordinarily do, is great for those who are able to do it.

EternalPoinsettia · 27/07/2022 16:16

It's a non issue, you've answered yourself - it wouldn't suit dd but suits ds, you can afford it so yes. Why would you need to consider further?

EnglishGirlApproximately · 27/07/2022 16:17

DS is going to football camp on days he doesn't need to. Some of his friends are going, he'll love it and it breaks up the other stuff we do together. I don't see any reason why he shouldn't go - I can't realised something interesting with him even day and he'd prefer to go there than potter around at home!

Jules912 · 27/07/2022 16:17

Fine if you can afford it, though I would try and leave the ones that run all day (8-5.30) for those that need them as they're always oversubscribed ( at least where I am).

Singleandproud · 27/07/2022 16:19

We don't have big holiday clubs like that around here but her tennis coach runs a couple of all day tennis sessions which DD will go to. She's an only child and won't have much interaction with other children during the long holiday if she doesn't.

Glowinglights · 27/07/2022 16:19

Both mine love holiday camps and although we don’t need to use them, I always book them 1 or 2 weeks in a camp of their choice as a holiday treat.
They are now 14 and 12, so not little but still really enjoy it.

cadburyegg · 27/07/2022 16:20

I think it's fine especially as your child wants to go! I use camps primarily so I can work but I also put them in a few extra days so I can get some cleaning etc done.

I agree with a pp above that often they can be cheaper than a day out 👍

Original poster
maybein2022 · 27/07/2022 16:23

Glad to see that people think it’s fine. To answer some questions- I suppose the only reason I’m giving it a second thought is because like someone mentioned- I don’t ‘need’ to use these camps at all. Whilst we can afford it, they’re obviously not free, and being in London they’re not super cheap- so technically the money could be saved or used for other things.

Also, as much as he loves sport, he’d also be more than happy to mooch about at home, but he would spend a lot of time on a screen (sure, I could take it away) but he’s beyond the age of ‘playing’ really, he will draw and read, but would want to spend a lot of time gaming or watching TV- when he goes to camp he’s had a good few hours running around which I think is good. A lot of his friends are away for long periods of the summer.

I suppose I just wanted the general consensus as I have had people in the past comment on why I’m using the camps when I’m at home. DD used to do a few when she was much younger- but as soon as she didn’t want to do them anymore (which was younger than my son is now) I didn’t make her and got on with having her at home every day.

OP posts:
ladyinwaiting99 · 27/07/2022 16:24

Ds (9) usually does a week of something, not to give me a break particularly because I share care with his dad so get a break anyway, but because left to his own devices he can be a bit lazy and want screens constantly.
He loves musical theatre so usually a week of that but has also done cookery, dance, watersports, mad science and a general playschemes.
We've tried him with various "multi sports" clubs but they tend to be essentially football, which he hates with a passion.

Pythonesque · 27/07/2022 18:28

Especially as children get older, "specialist" holiday camps are a great opportunity for them to explore or develop their skills or interests. One of my nieces attends a particular music course at least annually, possibly twice a year. Summer music courses have always been a thing, you can get such a boost to your skills with something intensive for a week (or two). Sports the same. If you look around for teenagers there are a wide variety of activity-based holiday "camps", some only if you can afford them, others subsidised and particularly targetting those who might not otherwise get the opportunity.

MoodyTwo · 27/07/2022 18:41

I'm not a teacher but if I have a week holiday we put DS in childcare

Mally100 · 27/07/2022 18:54

I'm a sahm and my 6yo ds goes to camp 3x a week. He loves it, begs me to go and his friends are there. He has 2 days at home with me. I take him out for a day and one he just chills. Weekends we do family stuff. I don't see anything wrong with camps even if you aren't working.

Friendship101 · 27/07/2022 18:57

Of course it’s fine. Camps aren’t just about childcare they’re about learning new skills, getting involved in sports and making new friends.

BigFatLiar · 27/07/2022 19:02

I suspect hanging around at home with mum/dad is pretty dull, going to a csmp with other kids would be much more fun.