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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To make the kids go to a holiday club ONE DAY A WEEK during summer?

39 replies

BayFever · 24/05/2009 12:11

During the summer holidays, I am going to be home alone with my own two children and a DSD.

I know I will not be able to cope with all 3 of them 24/7 for 7 weeks.

Our council run leisure centre runs a holiday club where for about £4 a day, kids go from 10am until 3pm and can choose from all different sports and activities to take part in.

Our kids have been once (before they knew each other so seperately) and hated it.

Reason they hated it was that it was "full of chavs" and the other kids were quite rough.

But personally, I think if all 3 of them are going together, it won't be as bad?

AIBU to force them to go to it just one day a week for the summer hols?

DSD does NOTHING, she has no hobbies or anything so whilst I might get a break from my own kids (who go to karate, scouts etc) I will have her with me 24/7 because she just refuses to do anything.

I WILL need some alone time.

AIBU to force them? just one day a week?

OP posts:
yama · 24/05/2009 12:15

Of course YANBU.

I bet they will end up loving it.

Colonelcupcake · 24/05/2009 12:17

YABU If they really hate it and its a terrible place with bullying and violence, remember it is unlikely to be staffed by quality child care profesionals, It may just be centre workers with crb checks

YANBU to want to get some breathing space, maybe if they are so against it, there might be something else on in your area

Colonelcupcake · 24/05/2009 12:18

I also believe it will be good for them and doubt it is really that bad

oneplusone · 24/05/2009 12:25

YANBU. I am going to do the same with mine. I will go INSANE if I am alone with my DC's for 7 weeks in the summer. DD won't want to go but she will have to. DS is at nursery anyway and thankfully they continue right through the summer.

Original poster
BayFever · 24/05/2009 12:26

There is nothing else really, all we have in our area is football clubs and all 3 of them really dislike football.

I know my kids will have a couple of scouting trips and they go with their dad every other weekend but I never get a break from DSD

OP posts:
LovingTheRain · 24/05/2009 12:42

YANBU to want space from your children. Every parent needs a break, especially during the long summer holidays.

Not sure how old your DCs are, but i think YABU to expect the children to go somewhere they really don't like!
How old are they?
Are they old enough so they can go to the park with their friends or go into town etc?

Another way to get a break would be to maybe arrange playdates with their friends etc where you get a break and kids are happy.

magentadreamer · 24/05/2009 13:40

Do you have to book all the sessions at once? if not why not try a day and see if it's improved.

HappyMummyOfOne · 24/05/2009 16:15

I personally wouldnt send my DS somewhere he hated just for my own selfish reasons. If your own children already have other activities surely you can find something pleasant for DSD to do.

I assume your DH will be at home at some point over the holidays when he can watch the children and give you a break.

Joggler · 24/05/2009 16:18

no i think that is a great idea
i DID hope this thread was NUtty tbh

where is she

katiestar · 24/05/2009 18:18

YANBU .£4 a day did I read that correctly - our local council run holiday clubs at £3.80 per hour !!

blossomsmine · 24/05/2009 20:54

I used to send mine for a week at the local council run summer club, they weren't too keen either lol!

I sent them for the week for a few years and they always found it ok when they were actually there, all their friends went aswell!

I just needed that break!!

Boys2mam · 24/05/2009 20:56

Where is Dad in all of this?? - by the fact you have DSD, you're not on your own 24/7 for the whole 7 wks?

YABU to force the kids into any organised activity they have no interest in. Spend the money on some fun, family days out.

scampadoodle · 24/05/2009 21:10

The OP will be hard-pushed to get a "fun, family day out" for twelve quid...

Boys2mam · 24/05/2009 21:20

I could......

MollieO · 24/05/2009 21:24

£4 a day???? Ds is going to holiday club for this half term. 4 days is costing me £150 including lunch on 3 days.

AprilMeadow · 24/05/2009 21:34

Ahh tell them to 'man up' and have fun.

If they are all there together then they will have a support group and 1 day a week is nothing. I am sure that after day one they will be wishing they were there 2/3/4 days

LupusinaLlamasuit · 24/05/2009 21:43

If my kids said somewhere was 'full of chavs' I'd send them to work in a bleeding homeless hostel doling out soup all summer.

pointydog · 24/05/2009 21:58

how old are these childreN? School age?

If so, YABU.

What's wrong with letting your kids out to play and just living with them like they did in the olden days.

MissSunny · 24/05/2009 21:58

Message withdrawn

MissSunny · 24/05/2009 22:00

Message withdrawn

pointydog · 24/05/2009 22:03

oh, ok. I don't live in a nice quiet village. My kids ahve always played out.

StewieGriffinsMom · 24/05/2009 22:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

LupusinaLlamasuit · 24/05/2009 22:23

Because - as SGM said - it is an incredibly offensive thing for kids to think about other kids and I'd want my kids to have a bit more social grace.

cornsilk · 24/05/2009 22:25

I wouldn't make my children go somewhere they hated. Can't your husband have some time off to give you a break?

2Shoots · 24/05/2009 22:28

I love the summer hols asnd being home with mykids.

YABU