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?

We used to go to the South of France in the summer and enforced downtime was normal in the middle of the day. Yes, I wanted to go out and swim but I survived! And an 11 year old should be capable of amusing herself for a couple of hours, so long as she's getting some attention at other times during the day.

Who locked themselves in? We stay in aparthotels and even though we'd be in the bedroom the door would be open. DD comes in if she needs or wants anything.

Why all the comments like this
An 11 year old should be able to occupy themselves for a couple of hours, especially in this day and age of electronics. There's also reading, drawing or, heaven forbid, just having a lie down. Children don't need to be entertained every minute of the day?

The girl clearly did entertain herself!! She didn't whinge or complain because her mother had no idea she didn't enjoy the daily 2 hour hiatus until she asked her if she'd enjoyed the holiday. Her daughter answered honestly. No cause for anyone to have a go at the 11 year old.

I still think it was a shit thing to do on a family holiday.

I can’t understand people who seem terrified at the concept of a couple of hours of quiet chilling. Even boredom is actually fine, and quite healthy. Life isn’t all about constant stimulation!!

I’m Italian, we still siesta. It’s mostly hotels, rental properties, shops & transport that have aircon. Private properties not so much.

She's not "upset" just being a little self-centred. Which is normal at 11 but there's no need to worry about it. Its ok if not every second off her life is perfect.

My son is an only child, and is 15. At no point during any holiday abroad, have we disappeared for a 2 hour nap, let alone every day! We go on holiday in August too, which is generally one of the hottest months.

I'm not saying it wasn't hot, or that the heat doesn't make you tired, because it does. However, leaving your daughter on her own for 2 hours, every day is a bit crap!! Did she not bring anything with her to do, whilst you and her Dad had a nap?

I suspect she felt a bit like a spare part!

All she did was say she didn’t enjoy it when asked. Fair enough. You definitely need a different holiday strategy. Things really change as they get older.

He probably would like a break at 15

You wouldn't leave an adult alone for two hours? I've heard it all now. This thread is actually hilarious.

We always have a nap late afternoon when on holiday. DC’s have books/iPads but often sleep. We’re up and out early, nap late afternoon and then go out for a meal around 9pm. Fairly normal for a hot country.

Siesta ? Or snooze or relax who cares? But an 11 year-old should be able to amuse themselves for a couple of hours . Jesus guys - how are kids meant to grow up , mature etc

It doesn't matter whether other peoples 11 year olds would be happy reading a book or chilling for two hours. The point is op's dd didn't enjoy it ( or the holiday as a result). Is DH her dad?

I’m clearly going to be a rubbish mum. I don’t think it’s as terrible as people are making out. Why can’t an 11 yo enjoy some chill time after a busy morning and likely before a afternoon and evening out. When I was 11 I loved reading. I had a hand held computer and liked having space from my parents to do my own thing on holiday and I was an only child. Now you know she was bored I wouldn’t do it again but I don’t think you were as unreasonable as people are making out

What was she doing in the living room for two hours? Sounds incredibly boring. Surely she’d want to be out exploring and swimming and playing on the beach. Why are you surprised she didn’t enjoy this?

You should have taken it turns to have some quiet time with one of you with her while the other had a nap. We always did this as 10 / 11 year olds don’t want to nap! Holiday is about time together and for all of you to enjoy it. I can understand what she doesn’t want to go again.

Not an only child but have two brothers not interested in hanging out with me.

They had one room, my parents had another and I was on my own for siesta time when we were teens.

When we were littler (primary age) we did slightly different holidays but siestas did feature at times. And definitely a quiet hour with no swimming after lunch!

Fair point. We don’t so much. I remember being very bored and resentful about enforced sleeps though!

When holidaying in the heat i have done this...although only for 1 hour. Happy to snooze/rest in the aircon and encourage the kids to read/colour/snooze or watch a film.
Its good for kids to have downtime especially when not used to extreme heat.

And so what that she didn't enjoy it.maybe she should learn to like her own company. Nobody should be her entertainment

ofc they were

I’d have hated my parents hanging onto me all day! Like you I loved my own space and reading

Did you have alcohol at lunch that needed to be slept off?
You only had one child with you and I expect she missed her friends.
When we used to go away as a family my children had each other for company.
When the older one stopped coming the younger one bought a friend with her.

Hilarious replies on this thread. Shows how ridiculously child-centric we have become. It's everyone's holiday not just the 11 year old's! We quite often get out of the sun in the hottest part of the day on holiday and chill in the hotel/apartment. Kids read, might watch something, parents doze. I wouldn't personally nap for two hours as I'm not good at napping and it would make me feel groggy but really not that unreasonable. Still plenty of hours to fill with trips out, fun by the pool etc.

I am clearly in the minority here, but your 11-year-old wasn’t able to entertain herself for two hours each day during your siesta? I’m assuming you did things before and after the siesta but she expected to be entertained during every moment? Eleven is old enough to watch a movie or read a book while you nap.