To ask for a Christmas miracle?

[flowngo]

Evening all, have had a rough rough year (see previous thread for reference!) and have this coming weekend booked off work for my birthday which has now been somewhat railroaded by my younger DC going into a foster placement on Friday. Therefore I am finally able to prioritise my elder DC, and happened upon the bright idea of flying up to Edinburgh for 2 nights (Sat-Monday) just to get the hell out of town and a change of scenery and time together.

Now, I am looking for somewhere super last minute I'm aware, but does anyone have any suggestions in Edinburgh or even their own Airbnb that they haven't let this weekend yet?!

Many thanks

For a change of scene from the Christmas market, you could also visit one of these: www.stockbridgemarket.com

If you're on Princes St, you could walk to Grassmarket via Victoria St which is pretty and has lots of cute shops. Or head to the Stockbridge one as that's a lovely area too for a potter, and you can walk along the river there too. One of my favourite walks is along the river to the Gallery of Modern Art, it's quite stunning.

I don't know edinborough, but do know you and DS1 deserve a fabulous trip! There are Harry Potter bits and bobs around, if that's your thing.

I hope you enjoy a well-earned break OP!

We visited near Christmas and it was wonderful.

If you/your DC likes Harry Potter there are lots of HP themed things to do:

Department of Magic escape rooms and cocktail making

More cocktail making - I can't remember which one we did.

We stayed at the lovely Dalhousie Castle, but it's outside of Edinburgh so unless you're hiring a car it might not be very practical.

Book things like Camera Obscura early. We didn't and lots of things were all booked up by the time we thought to do it!

Oop- just realised you can't book early as you're going this Friday. Just book as soon as you can. We tried to book the day before and no spaces left.

EL&N cafe opening this week - teen/tween girl paradise!!

There's also The Dungeons (near Waverley station) if you eldest is old enough and you like being scared. They are brilliant.

The Kimpton hotel on Charlotte square is a firm favourite with me! The breakfasts are really good, the hotel is absolutely lovely too and really close to all of the action. Never had a bad room there and it really is a beautiful hotel 😊

Camera obscura on Royal mail is fab

I'm not sure a holiday would be first thing on my mind if my child had been taken away from me.

Very specific situation, not taken away, accommodated in specialist circumstances.

I’m not great at finding threads so asked for context. Seeing the comments of sen child with respite care is very much context . I hope you enjoy every minute of your time op, I’ve only stayed at Novotel which was central but small rooms . Edinburgh is beautiful and loads of great suggestions

It seems unnecessary to include details of a child being fostered when asking for recommendations for a trip?

Most don’t know a back story so on the face of it, this looks like you’re celebrating your child going into care, with lots of excitement.

You don’t need to justify your choices on here but you can’t expect everyone to validate them.

That’s not very nice is it? The child’s been fostered due to additional needs and the OP wants to take the opportunity to give her DC1 sone much needed time.

life can be extremely difficult with SEN children.

the child also “wasn’t taken off her”, a respite foster agreement was implemented.

Think about how desperate the OP must’ve felt, trying to deal with a dreadful situation all alone.

make a Nee Years resolution to not judge others maybe? Walk a mile in their shoes and all that.

I did an air bnb , loved it as it gave us more space than a hotel and nice to be able to spread out a bit.

Thank you for your comments, it is almost celebratory to be able to go away for the night incident free when the simple act of trying to put on his school jumper this morning resulted in me being bitten and scratched in the face.

Going away would be chart topping in terms of meltdowns. This is an opportunity to spend 1:1 uninterrupted time for the first time in I don't know how long. I am eternally grateful to the new foster family.

I'm going to have a look now and see if there are any last min bargains

Unfortunately DC1 doesn't have a passport as we could never imagine being able to go abroad with DC2 otherwise I'd be taking him for some winter sun.

Your DC will still need ID to fly I think even if it is internal, some only accept passports. Please do check.

I sympathise and I wish all of you well.
It just struck me that you're leaving yourself wide open to judgment here by omitting most of the details and calling this a Christmas miracle, almost inviting shocked responses.

Surprisingly, by social media standards, you've had some lovely supportive replies.

Even if you don't manage to pull off this trip, your dc will enjoy having your time and attention. Don't pressure yourself to conjure up a magical weekend x

Personally I think 'asking for a Christmas miracle', 'rough, rough year', 'finally being able to prioritise DC1' and 'previous thread'

Is quite a lot of context. Perhaps PPs could consider looking twice at a post that surprises them?

The word 'respite' before 'foster care' would have been useful but I totally understand that the OP was likely too exhausted for that.

Well it's not respite as in a weekend of respite, but I agree perhaps I should've added more context.

@flowngo how about the zoo in Edinburgh as well? Hoping you and dc1 get some lovely 1:1 time and get to relax.

You don't owe anyone an explanation. All you were looking for were recommendations for a weekend away.

Well it's not respite as in a weekend of respite, but I agree perhaps I should've added more context.

Just what we called it when my Dad went for care with dementia.