Leaving fun places/activities

jobwantednotneeded · 2024-01-02T11:54:44+00:00

Are your 5/6 year olds whinging, crying wangs when it comes time to leave somewhere or is my child spoiled?

Icepop79 · 02/01/2024 11:56

Yep. Mine were usually a total nightmare. Didn’t matter how many countdowns to leaving we did, or what we tried to limit the fallout, they would still throw a mega-strop when leaving.

Chamomileteaplease · 02/01/2024 11:57

I think it's natural that kids are sad to leave but that doesn't mean you have to put up with whinging etc.

Make sure you give them warning ie we have to leave in 20 minutes.
Be near the exit so that you can just leave at the promised time.
Do not let them have one more go/look whatever after the 20 minutes.
Don't let them see that whinging means they get more time.

Consistency.

Planeflames · 02/01/2024 11:57

Do you not feel sad when having to leave somewhere you’re having a great time?

Tothemoonandbackx · 02/01/2024 11:58

If you were out having a good time and then someone told you you had to leave, would you like it??? As an adult, you know when you have other plans and can accept to leave, but kids are still developing at that age and won't really care if you've got other stuff to do, they just want to carry on having fun. Don't get me wrong, mine has the occasional melt down, but I do understand that she's having a good time and feel guilty for taking her away, it's hard to get them to understand why you have to leave, but they do calm down eventually x

NeedToChangeName · 02/01/2024 12:00

We'll be leaving in 10 mins

We'll be leaving in 5 mins

We'll be leaving in 2 mins

We're leaving now

Yes, I know you want to stay and I'm sorry about that, but it's time to leave. We will come back another time

And leave. No messing. No "oh go on then, just one more turn"

Original poster

jobwantednotneeded · 02/01/2024 13:26

Chamomileteaplease · 02/01/2024 11:57

I think it's natural that kids are sad to leave but that doesn't mean you have to put up with whinging etc.

Make sure you give them warning ie we have to leave in 20 minutes.
Be near the exit so that you can just leave at the promised time.
Do not let them have one more go/look whatever after the 20 minutes.
Don't let them see that whinging means they get more time.

Consistency.

Oh I've done this for the last FOUR years. When does it get better?!

OP posts:

Original poster

jobwantednotneeded · 02/01/2024 13:26

Planeflames · 02/01/2024 11:57

Do you not feel sad when having to leave somewhere you’re having a great time?

Yeeeees, I don't scream-cry though

OP posts:

Planeflames · 02/01/2024 14:56

@jobwantednotneeded because, I assume, you’re an adult

it baffles me how grown adults seem unable to comprehend how children work

ButteryBiscuitBaseBiscuitBase · 02/01/2024 15:05

I used to say shit like, "Two more goes on the slide / when the swing stops / another dance and we'll go," rather than minutes because it was easier to count but yes, they did still get upset and I remember having to carry them out several times, which is not easy when you've got two of them. Bribery worked too.

Rainallnight · 02/01/2024 15:10

ButteryBiscuitBaseBiscuitBase · 02/01/2024 15:05

I used to say shit like, "Two more goes on the slide / when the swing stops / another dance and we'll go," rather than minutes because it was easier to count but yes, they did still get upset and I remember having to carry them out several times, which is not easy when you've got two of them. Bribery worked too.

I find this sort of thing helps. I also say ‘it’s time for your last thing now, what’s it going to be?’ So they can choose their last slide, bounce, whatever

44PumpLane · 02/01/2024 15:14

I do what others have mentioned but I often have to say to my (suspected ASD) 7 yo "if you make the process of leaving so awful, then I won't be able to bring you back again"....and that often helps too.

But last night we had an epic meltdown when turning off the Switch so it's not foolproof, even with time warnings etc