Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
TwigletsAndRadishes · 23/03/2025 19:49

If he's happy to sit around the pool and just keep himself to himself for an hour, then I'm sure the other children can be persuaded to give him space, assuming they are old enough to be reasoned with. However it's unrealistic to expect everyone else to be quiet and not communicate with one another, even if they aren't speaking directly to him. If he wants no disturbance at all then he should take himself to his room for a bit, not expect everyone else to tiptoe around and whisper.

If he will only eat inside then the rest of you can take turns eating with him and his parents so they aren't always on their own. Tell them you understand why they are not able to join you outside but most days you would like to eat outside, so you will.

As far as censoring what your children can say and how they can play, I don't think that is practical or fair. If they are old enough that you can ask them in advance to be mindful of his issues wherever possible, then you should do so, but you can't expect them to walk on eggshells around him, afraid to play and chat naturally for fear of upsetting him. That's not their cross to bear.

If he is easily upset by being around kids just doing normal kid stuff then his parents are going to have to manage that. They should divide his contact time up into short sessions with regular breaks away from others so he doesn't get overwhelmed.

If it's hard work then try to spend a few mornings or afternoons out and about with just you and your own DC and partner. There is no need for all of you to stick together like glue for every waking hour.

Christmaschildcare · 01/07/2025 21:09

How did it all go @APATEKPHILLIPEWATCH x

New posts on this thread. Refresh page