Is it bad that I want to book my children in for extra holiday club sessions?

[mumboss1984]

Just that really, their behaviour for me is awful and I find it difficult due to other stresses going on. We have no other available options for help with childcare due to distance, bereavement, illness and my husband works long hours.

I feel bad for even thinking it but just worry about the impact on my mental health after 7 weeks of this 😞

Thank you for listening

What do you mean by 'extra' sessions? How many would they do in total?

Of course its not bad. They will get to play with friends and have a great time. And it sounds like you could do with a break.

Of course book some sessions.

How many are they already booked in for?

My eldest goes every holiday for a couple of days a week. During feb half term he went everyday because it was too cold for day trips and he was impossible in the house. Everyone was happier because he went to holiday club.
Its much better that the child has something to do and you are not stressed. And you will have a much nicer time when they are not a holiday club because you won’t be frazzled

My friend works in a school so off for the school holidays. She will send her son to holiday club on a few of the days so she gets some time to herself.

I have taken annual leave before when eldest is at school and youngest is at nursery.

I don't see a problem with it. We all need some time to ourselves sometimes and we don't have family to help out regularly.

Plus my eldest loves sports camp and is annoyed she only gets to go for 6 days over summer whilst I work.

They are currently booked in for 4 sessions.

It is coming up to the anniversary of losing my dad very soon, that was very traumatic and is currently in the hands of solicitors and my mum has an incurable (terminal) illness too.

I don’t want to be a bad parent but I also need to be well.

If they still have sessions available and you have the money book them in for as many as you can.

It is healthy for them to socialise with other children.

Dear god do it! You don’t even need half of what’s going on in your life to justify it if anything at all.

You’re on about sending your children to play and have fun, it’s not a punishment.

Don’t be so hard on yourself.

Oh @mumboss1984 you are definitely not a bad parent- recognising your own needs around the anniversary and your mums terminal Illness is what makes a good parent- an understanding of when you need to seek or ask for help- in this case you are allowing your children to go to a holiday club and have some fun whilst you are dealing with your own emotions and needs. Please do not feel bad about this- you are absolutely doing the right thing.

I’m so sorry for your loss and your mums illness.

I send my kids to as much holiday club as I can afford!

Of course you should send them ... I was a SAHM but still used holiday clubs (& residential trips) - why not? My DS is an only DC, he loved them and would enjoy spending time with other DC, we could afford it ... I don't see the issue?

Definitely book them in. You’re a person too and need care and rest just as much as your children. You’re doing the best for them by relying on a village to raise them - it doesn’t matter that your village is paid!

Do you mean 4 sessions every week or just 4 all summer? I think it depends on the child tbh. Both mine enjoy staying in bed late & not rushing out & it's good to spend time home.

If you will be a better parent & can afford it then it's probably a good idea - rather than getting stressed with them.

You probably need to sort out behaviour though long term as they should listen to you & be polite.

Thank you all, they are booked in for 4 sessions in total for the 6 (7) weeks holidays.

@converseandjeans Absolutely agree 👍To be fair to them on the whole they are mostly pretty good and have very good manners etc but I think are going through a bit of a challenging patch at the moment and it is probably more about me than them with everything going on.

My toddler is too young for summer holiday sessions, but just came on to say please look after your yourself and have a break. It sounds like you have been through a lot and need some rest. As long as your children enjoy the summer holiday club I would book them in for as many sessions as you can afford and feel would be helpful for them to have. My mother was a teacher, so we had no need of holiday clubs for childcare, but my parents used to book us in for a few weeks each summer holiday for us to have fun (and I am sure for mum to have a well earned break). We loved it and still had time for a holiday away with our parents and some time chilling at home/ with friends. I fully intend to use holiday clubs so we can have a break when our children are old enough. I want the time they have with me in the holiday to be relaxing and enjoyable for us all.

I am really sorry to hear about your mother's illness too, I am sorry I missed your second post when I posted initiallg. Definitely don't feel bad about booking the extra sessions. 💐

Four sessions is nothing at all, a couple of times a week is fine.

I’m a teacher and I send my children to holiday activities once a week. No guilt!

God no

never too many

I have dd5 booked into summer club twice a week 9-3

she needs it as only child , plus I work nights and need sleep daytime

I have friends commenting weird I’ve done it

6w of me and dd every day and me tired is not a good outcome

working last year when she was 4 so no naps almost killed me last summer hols

its a fab club. They do cooking, crafts and lots of art if they want it, plus outdoor play

she’s gone with a few school friends

Mine go twice a week, I don’t need the childcare they just love it. Asked to go!

It’ll be good for them to see their friends and it’ll be good for them to have a more refreshed mum. How about booking them in twice or three times a week from now til the new term?

Do it! It's cheaper than a play date for our local leisure centre type ones and us mums get the kids together there during the holidays. But I am up north and it's 12 quid.

£20 9/3 southeast