Daughter didn’t enjoy holiday

[Personil]

DH and I went on holiday with my DD (11). When asked if she enjoyed the holiday she says it was ok but was ruined by being left on her own for 2 hours every day. What she’s referring to is when we went for a siesta. Months later she’s saying she wouldn’t want to go again. WWBU?

In a hotel room, in a foreign country, with none of her usual belongings and not being allowed to the pool unsupervised (I wouldn’t leave mine unsupervised at a pool either) - what exactly do you expect her to do independently??

I’d hate this too if I was 11. Me and my 11 year old are off to Spain in summer holidays and we plan to do loads. Pool, beach etc. I def won’t be napping during day and I’m 54

It’s sad that your daughter isn’t able to occupy herself for a couple of hours.

I used to have to stay with my grandparents during the school holidays as both my parents worked. Mum had to work as dad was an alcoholic and we’d be in the poorhouse if he’d been left in charge!

Both grandparents went for a lie down in the afternoon and I used that time to read books and comics. I still love having time to myself for a read and I’m in my 60’s now.

The OP said she could read. It was 2 hours, not 2 days

Bored kids, left alone at 11, used to get into mischief back in the 70's/80's quite a lot.

So she is used to entertaining herself as an only child. Yes, to some extent she has no choice. But at home she has her own things. Her own room, her own things that she would do to keep herself busy.

Like I said, 2 hours reading EVERY day, in a strange place and strange country is going to be as boring as fuck for the majority of people, especially kids.

This is ridiculous. You presumably work hard and want to relax on holiday. Can she not read a book?

So she didn't enjoy the holiday at all, none of the offer 22 hours a day! Or day 12 if you allow 10 for sleeping overnight. None of ggd trips out, none of the meals. Just nothing.

2 hours is bloody long time to be sat on your own with a book. I would be bored out of my skull. As I can imagine most people would be. One day, two days maybe but this was every single day.

No need for that to happen when the parents could have taken it in turns to have a sleep. Or as others have said, found a lounger in the shade by the pool to have a snooze on while their daughter could still stay outside and be in the pool. Again, taking it in turns to have a sleep/keep an eye on her or play with her.

Sounds like a bit of a waste of your holiday time 2 hours is practically half the afternoon. Poor kid

An 11yo can’t entertain herself for 2 hours. That’s pathetic. My 10yo would have been delighted to sit down with a book or use some screen time or just watch a movie. Unbelievable that a child lucky enough to go on holiday can’t keep herself busy at her age

Can you give a couple of suggestions as to what she should do to entertain herself for 2 hours every day please? Reading is one. What else?

I was reading the comments just looking to see if anyone else thought this was weird. If you are speaking English, it’s a nap regardless of where you are on holiday!

Exactly, no wonder some adults are so useless today because as children they were trained to be so. Having a break on holiday is part of the holiday.
I have a 10yo ds who could Easily busy himself for 2 hours. Why? Because at home he can do that himself.

It really isn’t.

Assuming she is an only child (and I say this as an only child) she should be used to entertaining herself and able to do this.

”Find stuff to do”. Where? Presumably she had whatever was in the hotel room / apartment and that’s it. So a couple of books? How many solo games?

Exactly - how low are expectations on here sometimes?

When we go on holiday we try and include a little something for everyone. If it’s a city break then everyone gets to do at least one or two things they’re interested in.

If it’s a beach holiday then me and my DH resign ourselves to being in the pool for most of the day with the kids. We split the day so have some time to chill by the pool.

I want my kids to enjoy their time off with us and we do involve them in the planning of activities at the destination me and DH choose. I’m also relaxed about screens (downloaded TV shows not social media) as it gives us all some downtime. It doesn’t really amount to more than an hour or so as we tend to be busy during the day.

Yes books. And there are plenty of solo games. This is the problem with parents not letting their children be bored sometimes.

The OP has said she had no screen time and the tv was all in Spanish. So book only.

Fair enough but it’s also reasonable to want to enjoy the holiday that you have paid for in your own way

Ok so I stuck up for you earlier it now I’ve read this and it does sound a bit shit! Why were you going to the room at 9pm? That’s so early on holiday! If we are on holiday and are having a pool day we go up to the room about 4:30/5pm to chill out a bit before getting ready for dinner, we then ate around 8pm and were back to the room whenever we felt like it, maybe 11ish. I can see why she was bored, was every day the same? Did you go and do anything fun? Anything just for her?

But at home he has all his toys, all his art stuff, all his books etc. holiday is very different. That’s not that difficult to understand is it?!

@PretendToBeToastWithMe

is it? Why?

She could have watched the Spanish TV (subtitles?) - in fact it could have been a good way to learn the language.

Why is everyone so anti-reading?

If she hasn’t the resources to entertain herself then it’s a shame. What happens when she stays with grandparents? Do they entertain her all the time?

The DD had books and tv (albeit Spanish). I can’t see the issue.