CHILDREN HAVE NEVER HAD A HOLIDAY! MASSIVE GUILT!

[Una22]

I have recently been speaking to a friend who says my children have never had a proper holiday. They are 4 and 11. Most years we go away for at least 4 nights to a caravan park and she states she feels sorry for them as 4 nights away is not a holiday! My eldest does not want to go on a plane and I would not like to force him (he is autistic) plus he loves going to the caravan parks. I feel dreadful now as I feel now my kids have never had a holiday! We are saving towards a deposit for a house and I just feel that needs to take priority instead of spending loads of money on holiday which my children probably wouldnt enjoy. We also have our Mother in laws caravan that we stay in on a regular basis but again thats not a holiday! Was just looking for some honest opinions I feel like I am failing them. We are always doing various things with them but we just dont have lots of money.

Some of my happiest childhood memories are of holidays. I didn’t go on a plane until I was 17, all of my childhood trips away where tents/caravans and most of them long weekends. They were fantastic!

My kids have been to America, Middle East, all over Europe, Africa. Some proper blingy 5 star hotels
their favourite holiday has always been the annual trip to shell island with their cousins

camping
down the arcades
eating shit cheap food
games on the beach

they absolutely love it

Your friend sounds like an idiot.

Of course they are proper holidays. They sound lovely and most importantly, like something you and your kids enjoy.

Those people who don’t think a city break counts as a holiday are even more utterly batshit than OP’s friend!

A luxury break to NYC would cost way more than a week’s AI in Turkey for example.

Agree.

Oh, I quite agree, but it seems very entrenched. You come across it on Mn a fair bit, too, actually — ‘I don’t like city breaks, they’re too tiring. I prefer holidays.’😀

We go abroad every year. But my kids favourite holiday is always Haven! Your friend is trying to make you feel bad. Just ignore them

Your friend is a twat.

This nation’s obsession with holidays is bonkers. And your friend is very narrow-minded.

4 nights in a caravan park is a holiday. Your friend is daft.

if you want to be sure your children enjoy holidays, think about their personalities and interests. If they are miserable on the caravan holiday, then make a different plan. Maybe they would prefer an actual staycation where you spend a few days in your own house but do nothing but go to museums because that is what your children love.

a great holiday for your children is just a break from the routine, getting to spend time together, and getting to do something fun. It doesn’t have to involve a plane or cross borders to be worthwhile.

We love a caravan! We do go abroad as well but I would definitely class a caravan as a holiday. They're great for kids too

DS is 11 and has only been on holiday abroad once...the rest of the time we've stuck to UK short breaks (holiday parks and the like), and I much prefer Mon to Fri over a whole week).

We're not wealthy by Mumsnet standards but could afford to go abroad every year...it just doesn't really feel 'worth it' for me...we're happy doing what we do and that's what matters.

Your ‘friend’ is a prat. It doesn’t matter wether it’s Turkey or Torquay it’s still a holiday/ break away from home and if your kids are comfortable and happy it’s a win all round

Take no notice of your silly "friend."

This is no ‘friend’ OP. My child also has ASD and there is no way he would go on a plane either. Holidays whether in the UK or abroad are to relax and have fun. Going abroad for the sake of it when your child would hate it and have meltdowns is not a holiday! The holidays you have been having are proper holidays and ones that you have put thought in to make sure that everyone enjoys them. Ignore your idiot ‘friend’, they have no idea what they are talking about. Every family situation is different.

@SDTGisAnEvilWolefGeniusthats really funny - bin snacks!

Your children have had a holiday. We don't fly with our kids because we are trying to reduce our carbon footprint and will take them to experience new cultures abroad when they can appreciate them. Also the idea of flying with small kids makes me stressed. I certainly think they have still had a holiday though. Sounds like you give your kids wonderful holidays. Ignore your friend.

4 nights in a caravan is absolutely a holiday - ignore her. I only ever went on camping and caravan holidays as a child and I had an extremely happy childhood which I only have happy memories of.

Of course 4 nights in a caravan park is a holiday. She needs to do a MN head wobble.

I would love to go on holiday with you, it sounds lovely. Would not want to go with the so-called friend !