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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to be irritated by people who pack their DCs off to clubs as soon as the hols start?

252 replies

juicy12 · 23/07/2009 18:23

I'm not talking about people who work full/part-time here. But really about people who are SAHM/SAHDs. Some people seem to be terrified at the prospect of spending any time with their DCs just in the home, just hanging out or doing home activities. I've got a DS - 5 and a DD - 2.5, and I'm looking forward to some weeks of chilling out, painting, craft stuff, swimming, playing etc. I've lost count of the number of other SAHMs who take the "can't possibly have them at home for 6 weeks" line and schedule the entire break to within a nano-second. Or am I being mean not booking DS1 in for loads of different activities?

OP posts:
HuffwardlyRouge · 23/07/2009 20:29

I thought the rule was that you had to have your children bored at home with you for weeks on end during the summer.

I feel rather dim, and am very jealous of all the cleverer parents who cunningly booked their children into educational and exciting summer-long activities.

We are grating on each other's nerves, while I console myself that it is a right of passage.

How many weeks to go?

KEAWYED · 23/07/2009 20:31

Mine break-up tomorrow, think he must be the only one still at school!

DesperateHousewifeToo · 23/07/2009 20:33

Oh god, should they be educational activities too. I've definitel failed there

unless dd's fairy morning would count?

slyandgobbo · 23/07/2009 20:35

I am never organised enough to sort out any clubs. So we just ahve a sort of fight club at home. Then we go to the cinema when everyone is very worn out and scarred. This year I am also teaching them various different kinds of poker.
[proud homeschooling emoticon]

DesperateHousewifeToo · 23/07/2009 20:37

lol slyandgobbo.

Luckily, one of our local clubs is a 'just turn up and join in' type one.

bubblegumsupermum · 23/07/2009 20:38

Thanks Blue at this rate you'll have me drunk!!

Yes she has to make a full recovery (thank God) she had "knock knees" therefor needed taylor spacial frames on to correct it, she has them on for three and a half months now, a lot of hard work but we're getting there now.

Lots and lots of physio, it was hard on her at first but now begining to see light at the end of the tunnel!!

chegirl · 23/07/2009 20:51

Has this been said yet?

Dont the kids of the middle classes in USA and France get packed off to residential camps for the whole of the holidays?

I admit I am getting that idea from 1. tv shows and 2. French lessons at school 25 years ago.

I feel guilty because I havent arranged clubby things for the kids. I feel like a slack, unorganised and miserly mum.

I like the sort that operate a drop in policy. It gives the kids some independance and you dont have to send them every day to get your money's worth.

I dont like the book 6 mths in advance, choose activities, book trips and pay type. They panic me into inactivity.

MrsMattie · 23/07/2009 20:54

God, if I were still a SAHM I would definitely be 'packing my DS off' to a day camp for at least half the holidays. There are some great ones near me and I'd imagine it'd be much more fun for him to be engaging in all sorts of fun-filled activities with kids his own age rather than spending every waking hour of the 6 week (six week...crikey!) holidays witnessing my bad impression of a Blue Peter presenter.

Thankfully, I am at work and have a nanny

bronze · 23/07/2009 21:07

I also like to think I'm doing my duty. I am treasurer of our playgroup committee and it being a charity everything is a struggle. Holiday club is another source of income so I am helping keep a village facility going

EldonAve · 23/07/2009 21:11

YABU, what others choose to do is none of your business

Doobydoo · 23/07/2009 21:12

Have always been like the OP...Until now! Ds1 started school April[he is 9]and had been home edded.Day 4 of hols and me and dp talking about holiday[boot]camps and boarding schoolCan see why people do it

junglist1 · 23/07/2009 21:18

I've been with mine at home for a week now and I'm definetely finding a club asap. I can't take this

giantkatestacks · 23/07/2009 21:25

I would love to be able to put my ds into a days club a week when I'm not working - as it is he is doing today and tomorrow because I work parttime and then is at home with his baby sister the rest of the week and like everyone else has said a big age gap is no fun at all.

Before his baby sister came along we used to go swimming and to museums and all sorts during the holidays - now its much harder with the upshot that hes beginning to resent her.

He actually wants to go to supercamps more- theres loads of kids he knows there and they get to do lots of activities. Unfortunately its £33 a day...

Bloody judgey OP - if you love having your house full of kids all the time and have the energy to always be doing stuff with them you can take mine for a couple of hours as well though I'll happily get in the queue behind Riven.

slyandgobbo · 23/07/2009 21:25

Mine would be more with the nanny tbh if she hadn't been exposed to swine flu.

civilfawlty · 23/07/2009 21:27

on what planet is this any of your business?

and if you are so perfect, why arent you interacting with your children right now.

urrgggh. some people.

Bellsa · 23/07/2009 21:29

I put ds in club cos I'm working, but I would definately do it if I wasn't. I remember begging to go to clubs and for sporty children they are great. I can't teach ds to pole vault, hurdle, play cricket etc. Also, I would enjoy some time to shop on my own...

jellybeans · 23/07/2009 21:30

Why would it make a difference (in how it irritates you) whether a parent is choosing to work or stay at home? Either way the child is at the club.

ingles2 · 23/07/2009 21:39

oh you do make me laugh juicy.... I remember the days having an nice time sticking and painting with a 5 yr old and a 3 year old..
I now know what it's like to have a strapping nearly 10 yr old football fan and a 8 yr old tennis freak.
Funnily enough, I can't be on the football pitch and the tennis court at the same time and work, and even funnier.. ds1 would rather not play football with me!
So who are you to judge?

Portofino · 23/07/2009 21:42

In 2 weeks mine is off to a farm in the Ardennes for a week. I will miss her dreadfully but she is just stupidly excited! They get to collect eggs, milk cows, make butter and design the packaging for it, ride ponies etc. Hey, I want to go! This is heavily subsidised by my employer, who will also pay nearly half the cost of the school holiday club where dd wiil spend 4 weeks of her 2 month summer holidays.....

scottishmummy · 23/07/2009 21:44

oh go polish your halo elsewhere.mind your beak.summer club isnt akin to locking the children below stairs

piscesmoon · 23/07/2009 22:09

'The ignorance and arrogance of your post as a mother of a 5 yr old and a 2 yr old , is staggering.Come back in 10 yrs time ! '

I agree! Life was very simple when you could put sand or water out and the idea of a good time was feeding the ducks! I would be interested to see your post when they are 13yrs and 10yrs and they don't play together and don't want to do the same thing and the 13yr old doesn't want to be seen out with their mother!

2kidzandi · 23/07/2009 22:40

Well I must admit to being one of those parents who couldn't wait for the 6 weeks holidays! I really enjoy the whole trips and days out thing and would scan museum timetables ahead of time lol!(laugh out loud bubblegumsupermum) But that's just peculiar me.

I suppose life is so rush rush these days. It's harder on parents today even if they are SAHM/D (stay at home mums/dads) and sadly DC really don't have freedom they used to have to roam around outside, get the bus to park etc. They always have to be supervised 24/7 so clubs are a compromise which ensures they get plenty of play time etc in a safe setting. And they are excellent for children who need to be constantly active.

Are you upset by it because you feel people don't spend enough time with their children/childrens lives are too regimented etc? You stated being annoyed but didn't give a specific reason.

CaptainUnderpants · 23/07/2009 22:50

'but don't people want to spend time with their DC?' - er no

The older they get the more stropper they get .

When do they go back to school?

piscesmoon · 24/07/2009 07:08

I love the summer holiday and time stretching out. I really miss long days doing nothing much and going for bike rides, picnics etc, now that they are older. However if you have 3 energetic DSs who are longing to spend an entire day doing cricket, tennis etc and being taught properly, it is better to give them the opportunity. Life is a doddle with a 5 yr old and a 2 yr old-they are only going to want to kick a ball with you for a short time-it isn't so easy when you have a 9yr old who wants you to keep going for hours (and doesn't actually want to play football with mum anyway!). Two large boys playing cricket down the hall when it rains isn't much joy either!

sarah293 · 24/07/2009 08:16

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