DD 4 and a half constantly repeating her desires on holiday

[napkinbear]

It's just constant. From the moment she wakes up it's ' I want to go to the pool ' the moment we hey outside, it's I'm hot or 'I want to buy goggles'.

We've been up for 30 minutes and she's already asked to go to the pool 100 times maybe.

She has other stuff she can do, toys, iPad, drawing stuff, TV. But she just repeats and repeats and repeats what she wants and I keep explaining, we are getting ready now, having breakfast and we will go after that etc. but she just won't asking every 30 seconds.

Eventually I snap sometimes and it feels mean. She still continues to ask though anyway, after maybe a 5 minute break. It's annoying.

What can be done ? Is this just normal for her age ?

This!! It works because it shows you are actually listening and care about what they are saying.

She's just really excited! Last year my husband was in the pool with our son before we even had breakfast because he just wanted to swim (villa with pool).

Maybe just get up and go swim? It doesn't take long to shower and have a cup of tea, then get out.

@napkinbear could be age but both my boys were like that and both have now been diagnosed with ADHD

My four year old DS does the same.
Persists until he gets what he wants!

Any time was pool time for my two at that age. If they can’t already swim* a warm holiday pool is brilliant for turning them into baby dolphins. Of course you have to take any armbands off and stay with them but so well worth it.
*And I don’t mean ‘proper’ strokes - they can come later. Doggy paddle or tadpole wriggle is fine.

We’re on the first full day of our holiday, we were in the pool at 6:45 as our daughter was so excited about it she was basically stuck on squealing, she’s now very quietly eating her breakfast. Neither of us wanted to get in the pool at that time, but she was really excited and we knew if we got in she would enjoy that, but also it would actually make for an easier day for us too.

Five DDs here. It is normal (and we have a pool at home!!).
Holidays are so exciting! I can remember it myself, me and my siblings being desperate to go ‘to the pool’ from the moment we opened our eyes.

Love the advice about engaging in conversation, it works with my little guy, instead of saying, no after breakfast or whatever.

It's not " very worrying " fgs. What, you gonna call social services and get OPs parenting examined? Why do some people around here so like to make a pointless drama out of a reasonable question?

No way Jose here. We'll spend all day in the pool happily, but I'll be having a quick shower, putting on my suncream (and theirs obviously), eating breakfast and having a coffee first at an absolute minimum. Pool by, what, 9:30? Until time to wash and change for dinner, that's plenty.

Not to mention a family with small children can't just apparate from bed to pool, there's a quick bit of organising etc to be done first.

I understand her need to go to the pool!

The pool or lake was always my favourite thing on holiday {Often a lake, as parents camped}

{Supervising near water can be hard work, as all eyes need to be on a young child, but most kids love water}

When DD was that age and on holiday I just gritted my teeth and threw my swimsuit on at 7am or even earlier and went straight to the pool with her. By the time we'd had our swim and got back to the room, DH was just about dressed and ready for us all to go to breakfast together. After breakfast it was his turn to go to the pool with her and my turn for some peace and quiet! But it is relentless with a 4 year old on holiday, I know.

They don't!

It's mumsnet fantasy land of how they wish things REALLY were.

Breakfast before pool is essential, as swimming {Or even just being in cold water burns a lot of calories}

There will be time limits on when the pool is open just let her count down to that . Surely breakfast is exciting too .. all the interesting yummy choices so can you get her talking about what she’s going to pick

She's four, she's excited, don't dampen her joy. In a blink of an eye she'll be a teenager sulking in her room not wanting to do anything. Enjoy these times with her, you'll never get them back.

It's our pool, so we can use it whenever we want.

She'd be in it constantly if we let her. She was begging to go at night time too. So we just need to be able to create some boundaries around it really. And waiting until we've had breakfast is one of our boundaries.

It's not a case of giving into anything though is it. They're going to go swimming, the child is excited and by all accounts the mum just wants her to sit on her tablet and be quiet. It's a holiday, lighten up and enjoy the excitement.

@napkinbear could you go to the supermarket and choose a couple of holiday presents together? Something new she can play with in the mornings etc? DS is nearly 4 and we bought him a coffee set and some new cars he could zoom around.
Or get some fun stuff for breakfast she's not usually allowed.

Well, they also mention googles, that it's hot and this is early morning it will progress! I'm years into this parenting malarkey and I guess if you have one child you can pander to them but then don't get annoyed if they continue to be annoying.

I haven't said anything about pandering, or not, to a child, giving into everything, or even that they should be allowed to moan all day or just get in the pool when they want. I commented on the fact I think adding time to a timer is mean. There's a hundred other ways to deal with a moaning child (excitable child) . Talking to them for one.
Direct your comments at others who are saying just get in the pool.

@Holidaaaaay it's an unfair assessment of my situation and my way of being. I adore my children and literally do everything to make them happy.

Sometimes they just have to wait and children need boundaries.

She also has a little brother who needs looking after too.

Also it's not just about the pool. It's everything she wants, she just repeats it a lot since we've been on holiday.

Again, my comment relates to not adding time on to a timer, there are more effective ways of dealing with a moaning child. I have one too, I know! I don't agree with sticking them on a tablet because I can't be bothered. I haven't said they shouldn't have to wait, have I?

@Holidaaaaay fair enough but I'm not sticking her on a tablet. She has all sorts of things she can play with, all very well thought out. Which I also mention in my post. It's unfair to say I'm just sticking her on her tablet.

And like I said, I got her a really cool educational game for her tablet - highly recommend it - edurino.

'fair enough', so perhaps direct your comments at the people who have told you to give in and let her in the pool or allow her to moan (all things I haven't said) and not at myself who replied to one person about their methods. ...just enjoy your holiday and tune out from moaning, and Mumsnet!

If you've got your own pool then I don't see the issue. I'm sure it's hot, I'd be wanting to get in for a dip too.

For christ's sake, it isn't about not expressing their wishes,, it's the language used.
'May I have' rather than 'I want'
It isn't that hard