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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Family holiday - been given a list of things we can/cannot do due to nephew’s ADHD/autism

652 replies

APATEKPHILLIPEWATCH · 05/03/2025 16:47

Going away on a holiday abroad at Easter with my 3 siblings, their families and our parents.

We’ve been on holiday with them before and not going is out of the question as our parents are elderly and our kids are all getting older too so we want to take the opportunity to all enjoy the time when we can.

Separate accommodation. My nephew is 11 and has recently, after getting nowhere diagnosis-wise with the NHS and 2 private clinics, been diagnosed by a 3rd private clinic with autism and ADHD. This is after a long history of behavioural issues and other symptoms.

My sister in the holiday group chat has given a list of “rules” for us all, including our kids, about what we can and can’t do around nephew now that he has a diagnosis. She’s asked we all respect it so that it can avoid a meltdown. They include- no competitive games (my own kids are a similar age to him as are my other nieces and nephew). The kids like to do things like throw those little sinking toys into the pool and be the first to dive for it. No talking about certain topics such as school (he’s a school refuser) to him and have asked to share our own kid’s school stories about school away from his ears as it upsets him when he hears how other kids are getting on And no talking to him when he has “quiet time” - so for example he will ask for an hour by the pool to be left alone and we all have to respect it and brief the kids as well. This might be a struggle for the cousins as some are younger and will want him to play and won’t understand to leave him alone. When we go out for meals together we can’t eat outside as nephew prefers to eat inside.

I don’t really know how to feel about this. I myself have a disabled DS but with a physical disability and we’ve always tried to ensure his symptoms and needs don’t impact on others - we just ask people to be forgiving if we have to cancel things, but there’s certain things my DS sometimes can’t do or join in with and I’d never stop the other kids from enjoying what DS can’t enjoy.

Not an AIBU as such but how would you respond? I want my sister and her family to have a good time but I’ll be damned if I’m told I can’t eat Al fresco with my mum and dad (who love Al fresco eating too) whose last holiday it will probably be!

OP posts:
Gagaandgag · 05/03/2025 18:59

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Don’t quite agree with this. You don’t know what life is like at all behind closed doors. The son may have been masking!

My brother wasn’t diagnosed until he was in his 20s. After many doctors told my parents it was just bad parenting. He was sectioned several times. Things were absolutely awful at home for us all.

Finally, after years of shame they were referred to Professor Digby Tantum. My brother was with him for twenty minutes and he walked out in shock that he had never been diagnosed. He hugged my parents and apologised for all of the failures and blame. My parents just sobbed.

Porcuporpoise · 05/03/2025 18:59

CowboyJoanna · 05/03/2025 18:57

I get that but shouldn't OP's nephew learn that sometimes in life he has to do things out of his comfort zone, and he can't always have his every whim catered to just because he's diagnosed autistic? And that doesnt mean other people have to change completely to revolve around him? Surely it should be give and take both sides

Edited

Dont worry, if he's nd he'll spend almost all his life doing things outside his comfort zone, he really doesn't need more practise.

venus7 · 05/03/2025 19:00

Who's Al fresco?

AD1509 · 05/03/2025 19:00

I would say “whilst we completely appreciate this is the situation with DN there are aspects of these measures that would impact our enjoyment of our holiday such as not dining outside so I suggest we arrange certain times that this can be done separately so everyone can enjoy their holiday as they wish”

WaitingForMojo · 05/03/2025 19:00

CowboyJoanna · 05/03/2025 18:57

I get that but shouldn't OP's nephew learn that sometimes in life he has to do things out of his comfort zone, and he can't always have his every whim catered to just because he's diagnosed autistic? And that doesnt mean other people have to change completely to revolve around him? Surely it should be give and take both sides

Edited

But it is give and take. He will already be doing an awful lot to accommodate his neurotypical family.

I don’t think anyone’s suggesting catering to his every whim. They’re asking to accommodate needs. Not preferences.

CowboyJoanna · 05/03/2025 19:01

venus7 · 05/03/2025 19:00

Who's Al fresco?

The inventor of posh dinners outdoors
Smashing guy he is, changed the middle class dining experience for good Grin

dancebob1980 · 05/03/2025 19:01

Livelaughlurgy · 05/03/2025 17:22

I'd reassure your sister that you're on her team. Of course the group meals can be eaten indoors. I've gone away on group holidays and usually there's only one or two full group meals. The giving him quiet time is also easy to do if it's just leaving him alone. The school thing you'll not mention it and tell the kids who will do their best. For me the competitive games would be the one we'd find tough so I'd ask what's the best way to work around that, is there times we could co-ordinate? And maybe brainstorm with her non competitive games that are fun too that everyone can play.

This.

If a baby (or adult with a migraine etc) was sleeping you would ask kids to leave them be. Their cousin asking for quiet time is just asking for that and, in fact, showing self awareness of how and when they need time to self regulate. If they are upset by others playing by the pool then either they or the noisy people can move - hardly the end of the world.

Discussing school - think of it like avoiding politics or religion around a family member that disagrees with you vehemently. Surely you would try to do that to keep the peace? Just ask your kids to be sensitive. If they are 11 or so, they are old enought to be sensitive and, let's be honest, probably already know that their cousin has problems with school. A steer to ask them to avoid discussion of school around him will avoid any well meaning (or mean!) questions about how school is going. They will be on holiday, so probably not even wanting to think about schol, and sound old enough to have plenty of other things to talk about.

Competitive games. I hate it myself and feel uncomfortable playing competitive games that get too emotional with gloaters and bragging winners. I hate monopoly. But a game played collaboratively, or where players "compete" but are supportive and friendly with each other is fine for me. So, they want to throw dive sticks into the pool? Then they are a team and can all have an ice cream once they have each, in turn, retrieved the sticks x times / from a certain depth, etc. Ask DSis what might work and, if necessary, buy some collaborative games to take before you leave. You just need to be flexible.

Finally, eating outside. If one of your kids had an allergy to pollen or bee stings, so that suffering or fear would make eating inside more comfortable, would you be understanding and plan some/most meals to be inside, or would you give them their plate inside, sit outside with the rest of the family, and laugh at them through the window? I mean, you can still eat outside (informal meals, snacks, any meal not for the whole group), you can enjoy a drink on the patio as the sun sets, you are just being understanding of your nephew's needs. Kids may prefer to eat as a group inside anyway, with an adult meal outside, at least some of the time.

I agree some of this may be unnecessary. Only time will tell. But your DSis has probably had an awful time trying to help their son. School avoidance sounds tame, but is often emotionally wrenching - seeing your child distraught, and not knowing why or being able to help them, whilst the school and society tell you it is because you are a bad parent. She may be near rock bottom herself. Having the diagnosis, and feeling like they are finally able to help their (often) distraught child must be such a relief. Your DSis is telling you what would help her, your nephew, and everyone else to have a fun and relaxing holiday. Surely you love them? Surely you can work with them in these (relatively) small ways to help everyone have the relaxing break they need? Speak to her. Understand what might help and what is possible.

Bloozie · 05/03/2025 19:01

None of that seems unreasonable to me. As an adult, the hour of quiet time by the pool sounds particularly wonderful - I'm pretty sure some other grown ups can take the kids to do something else, I'd volunteer to sit with the quiet kid reading my book... ;-) It's really not hard to avoid talking about school - and who wants to on holiday? No competitive games - fine, just throw the toys in and fetch them, what's the problem?

Mealtimes - I'd say to your sister that's it's fine, but you guys like to eat outside. Let's get two tables.

CowboyJoanna · 05/03/2025 19:02

WaitingForMojo · 05/03/2025 19:00

But it is give and take. He will already be doing an awful lot to accommodate his neurotypical family.

I don’t think anyone’s suggesting catering to his every whim. They’re asking to accommodate needs. Not preferences.

Doesn't sound like it if his mother is demanding his cousins don't play competitive games among themselves because he's a sore loser

Notimeforaname · 05/03/2025 19:02

Clearinguptheclutter · 05/03/2025 16:54

ps regarding the meals I think it's perfectly reasonable to just split up for meal times. Or at least some of them. I'd not be ok with sitting indoors all the time if its nice outside.

This. You do what you want. Its your holiday too.

MikeRafone · 05/03/2025 19:02

Tbh if there is a lot of you arriving at a restaurant, a large party is much easier if split. So why not suggest that when eating out - you split into 2 groups on some occasions and one group eats inside and the other outside

Ilikeadrink14 · 05/03/2025 19:03

I have heard such selfish nonsense! Of course your sister is careful about her son but to curtail the enjoyment of everyone else in the group is appalling! I hope you have told her this.
I certainly wouldn’t go on this ‘holiday’, regardless of every other reason you have given for going. I get the impression you have never put other people in this position, even though your own child has disabilities.
You are worried about this holiday possibly being the last with your parents and I get that. So it’s even more important that they enjoy it and being in the middle of this carry-on is certainly not in their best interests. I am probably much of an age and go on holiday with my family, and I would be devastated to witness all that. And you mentioned small children who will need to be kept under control. The person making sure that happens is hardly going to have much fun. They will be on tenterhooks!
I think you are either going to have to cancel, or give your sister a good talking to! She has no right to spoil everything for everyone in this way. It’s not all about her and her child!

IDoWhateverItTakes · 05/03/2025 19:03

It's your holiday, too. It's your family's holiday, too.

These rules would not work for me and mine and I would make that clear that you can't accommodate that list as it's not fair to everyone else.

WaitingForMojo · 05/03/2025 19:04

I’m surprised eating indoors is such a deal breaker for so many. To the point that it would impact their enjoyment of the holiday. It really wouldn’t bother me in the slightest.

One of mine wouldn’t cope with it easily. There’s so much more sensory input outdoors. And some people really worry about insects, hygiene etc. To me, it would seem like a small thing. But obviously it’s a really big deal for many, that the meals need to be outdoors. In which case I’m sure you can compromise, without excluding someone with a disability from the family group.

glittereyelash · 05/03/2025 19:04

I think the no competitive games and not talking about school are fairly reasonable requests. Quiet time should really be done back in his room where there would be no distractions. I also don't think it's fair to dictate whether people sit. Your nephew and family should sit indoors if that's their preference and everyone else can make their own decisions!

ThighsYouCantControl · 05/03/2025 19:04

fedup1212 · 05/03/2025 18:53

I feel like some threads are just started to encourage people to slag off SEN parents/kids.

Interesting that you've noted his route to diagnosis.

I don't know why you'd start a thread encouraging people to call out your own sister/nephew.

Yes we know we cannot possibly pander to ND children and we know their parents are just using the diagnosis as an excuse for all of their behaviour. Is that the gist?

There does seem to be more and more threads that feel like they’re designed to give people who are ND or SEN and their parents/carers a kicking.

But I’m sure OP didn’t include the family’s route to a diagnosis for this child for this purpose 🙃

WaitingForMojo · 05/03/2025 19:06

To me, it feels a lot like having a family member in a wheelchair and saying ‘well, tough, we want to eat on the upstairs balcony to enjoy the view, so if you want to be on the ground floor you’ll have to eat separately. If you want to join us you’ll have to crawl up the stairs, because you need to cope with stairs in real life’

Noshowlomo · 05/03/2025 19:07

thinkfast · 05/03/2025 17:26

I think I'd reply something like, hi DDiS some of those rules might be a bit tricky for the kids to follow, but I'll have a chat with them and ask them to try to be mindful. Perhaps DN could have his quiet time away from the pool, so that he won't be interrupted by cousins trying to include him? I know they are looking forward to seeing DN. We like to eat outside, but no biggie- we don't have to all eat together. Looking forward to a lovely break!

This is a good response

MaryBeardy · 05/03/2025 19:07

So didn’t get diagnosed by NHS or two private clinics before diagnosis?

ridingfreely · 05/03/2025 19:07

Quiet time and school chat are manageable

I wouldn't be expecting the kids to not play certain games

WaitingForMojo · 05/03/2025 19:09

I think, if this thread is real and not just goady, that it depends whether you want to have a good relationship with your nephew and dsis going forward. How important are these people to you? Do you care more about being right, or about your relationship with them?

SouthLondonMum22 · 05/03/2025 19:09

I don't see too much wrong with any of that to be honest, especially if it will involve meltdowns otherwise.

Sertadopt · 05/03/2025 19:10

I bet your sister has found it quite difficult to share all of that with you and will be worried about “making it all ok” so your nephew doesn’t have loads of meltdowns and spoil everyone’s holiday. I don’t know how the request was phrased but I would take it as a ‘top tips’ kind of thing.

re competitive games, it can still be competitive but they could work as a team to collect the things from the bottom of the pool?

I think it’s good to share with kids that others are different and that certain things might upset others. It’s a great life lesson. And surely no one is expecting kids to stick to it 100% of the time, just to minimise talking about school.

Surely there’s nothing stopping different people eating in different places?

Alwayswonderedwhy · 05/03/2025 19:10

I think it's fine to let you know about things he struggles with but realistically they're going to have to be a bit more flexible. If he needs quite time, they'll need to take him somewhere quiet, not expect everyone to be quite around the pool for example. The other kids need to have fun too. If he doesn't like games, he can do something else while the other kids play.
I say this as a parent that understands what's it like having a child that can't cope with some situations. Life carries on and we have to learn to adapt.

spirit20 · 05/03/2025 19:10

I can see why your sister wants these things for her son. But I think it's up to her to adapt and make changes, rather than expecting others to. If she doesn't want to eat outdoors, then they eat separately from the rest of the group. If her son needs quiet time, she brings him somewhere different when he needs it. If she doesn't want him exposed to competitive games, then she takes him away when the other kids want to play them.

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