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Christmas

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Original poster

I can’t face 2 weeks with 3DC over Christmas totally on my own - so, where shall I go?

67 replies

whatatanker · 04/12/2022 11:54

Right, the situation is as follows. DH works and will not have any time off over the Christmas break except for Christmas Day itself and he can go to his parents.

I don’t have any close family - am low contact with my parents due to their treatment of me when I was younger.

I’m so tempted to take the children away somewhere - they are 7,4 and 2. What to do and where to go?

Would consider abroad/break in the UK too
Would need to be somewhere safe
Good budget
Would love somewhere with a tiny bit of childcare so I could have an hour or so to myself each day

OP posts:
lookersnoopy · 04/12/2022 13:54

It will definitely be harder taking them away then it will be staying at home.

What is your husband going to his parents rather then spend the day with you and his children?

CarefreeMe · 04/12/2022 13:59

Cos she’s doing it on her own!!! How could she not be? Weird post.

How is looking after your own kids on your own for 2 weeks hard?

And it sounds like she does it most of the time anyway.

Taking 3 kids away on holiday is much more challenging than being at home with them.

ShirleyPhallus · 04/12/2022 14:02

Have a look at the family friendly hotels chain OP, they have an on-site crèche and things like petting zoo, plus spa, restaurant with listening service. Really nice for a few days away

ShirleyPhallus · 04/12/2022 14:04

CarefreeMe · 04/12/2022 13:59

Cos she’s doing it on her own!!! How could she not be? Weird post.

How is looking after your own kids on your own for 2 weeks hard?

And it sounds like she does it most of the time anyway.

Taking 3 kids away on holiday is much more challenging than being at home with them.

How is looking after your own kids on your own for 2 weeks hard?

hey super parent, it’s not a competition, some people find it a piece of piss and some people (ie me) find it tiring and difficult to look after multiple children for multiple days in a row. Both are fine. Neither make you a better parent

CarefreeMe · 04/12/2022 14:12

hey super parent, it’s not a competition, some people find it a piece of piss and some people (ie me) find it tiring and difficult to look after multiple children for multiple days in a row. Both are fine. Neither make you a better parent

I’m not saying it’s a competition but if you look after the kids on your own most days anyway then you are going to be more used it to than someone who doesn’t.

And if you already struggle looking after your DC on your own then it’s going to be much more difficult taking them away somewhere on your own - booking it, packing, travelling, the hyperness/lack of routine etc etc

Surely it would be better to stay home and get a babysitter if you need to.

namechange5575 · 04/12/2022 14:14

I agree with suggestions for childcare - we use the bubble app. She can take them out to a cinema, park, museum, long walk for 3-4 hours most days. Will leave you refreshed and excited to see them, and them happy and tired for sofa and Christmas films, or a bit of light baking / colouring in, so you can feel you've done some quality parenting. That's what we did. Good luck. I remember how I felt with three young ones - much easier now the youngest is 4.

AllIwantforChristmas22 · 04/12/2022 14:16

Gosh some of these replies. Of course it’s not automatically harder to take them away, lots of all inclusive places have pools and kids clubs. Means no tidying, cleaning, cooking or washing dishes plus guaranteed entertainment and potentially time off alone when kids are in kids club. Just book it OP and have a lovely time! If you are ok flying look at Canaries or Cyprus maybe.

Goldbar · 04/12/2022 14:17

Do you want a rest or a change of scene?

If a rest, stay at home and get a babysitter.

If a change of scene, I'd go somewhere with a creche/kid's club. This is nice and offers a certain amount of childcare each day: www.woolleygrangehotel.co.uk/

AllIwantforChristmas22 · 04/12/2022 14:17

I have done it with 2 btw when DH was abroad with work, a week traveling was easier and less work than a week at home.

shruggingitoff · 04/12/2022 14:18

AllIwantforChristmas22 · 04/12/2022 14:16

Gosh some of these replies. Of course it’s not automatically harder to take them away, lots of all inclusive places have pools and kids clubs. Means no tidying, cleaning, cooking or washing dishes plus guaranteed entertainment and potentially time off alone when kids are in kids club. Just book it OP and have a lovely time! If you are ok flying look at Canaries or Cyprus maybe.

This!!!!

AllIwantforChristmas22 · 04/12/2022 14:21

TUI have good package deals that include AI and kids clubs. I would look there, will be much cheaper than a UK place over Christmas. If you want winter sun maybe consider Dubai, alternatively the Canaries are safe and not too cold now. I wouldn’t take small children to Egypt as many friends kids had stomach issues there. Turkey could be another option, magic life clubs are great with tons to do for kids.

AllIwantforChristmas22 · 04/12/2022 14:24

Or if you like winter things, a ski Hotel in Austria or CH? Many have creches, ski clubs, indoor pools, petting farms. Kids will be tired in the evenings from skiing and sledding, ice skating etc. little one can go in creche. But it’s definitely more expensive than a sun holiday!

stuntbubbles · 04/12/2022 14:52

CarefreeMe · 04/12/2022 13:24

God almighty she’s going to be knackered. All this “for the memories” is bullshit.

Huh!

Why would she be knackered?
It’s looking after your own kids.

Which is knackering.

Peachesand · 04/12/2022 14:55

Sounds like a great plan OP - hope you all have fun! Have no recs to give but just a general thumbs up (and lol at those pretending not to think looking after 3 kids under 8 alone is knackering 😂)

melissasummerfield · 04/12/2022 15:01

Are people really suggesting a temporary nanny for the christmas break?!

Merry Christmas Kids, off you go with this stranger while i sit in the house and have some me time 😆

absolutely the most bizarre thing I have read on here in ages!

roarfeckingroarr · 04/12/2022 15:11

I don't find it bizarre @melissasummerfield the nanny could just do a couple of hours for a few days. It's hard going looking after 3 kids on your own.

OP, I would take the kids for a week of winter sun. Somewhere with a kids club, a spa for you, a gorgeous pool etc.

roarfeckingroarr · 04/12/2022 15:13

Do you think you and your husband have a future? You don't sound happy - understandably so.

shinynewapple22 · 04/12/2022 15:16

A few days winter sun is always nice - I would look out for something where you fly out on the 27th so you can have Christmas at home with your DH and Boxing Day to get yourself sorted and packed - otherwise it will seem more stressful .

Chuntypops · 04/12/2022 15:23

melissasummerfield · 04/12/2022 15:01

Are people really suggesting a temporary nanny for the christmas break?!

Merry Christmas Kids, off you go with this stranger while i sit in the house and have some me time 😆

absolutely the most bizarre thing I have read on here in ages!

Shouldn’t she have some “me” time???

starsinyourpies · 04/12/2022 15:26

I would also stay at home but get some childcare help so you can have a break. Nanny agency?

ShirleyPhallus · 04/12/2022 16:46

melissasummerfield · 04/12/2022 15:01

Are people really suggesting a temporary nanny for the christmas break?!

Merry Christmas Kids, off you go with this stranger while i sit in the house and have some me time 😆

absolutely the most bizarre thing I have read on here in ages!

What’s wrong with a parent having me time? Or is it only ok when it’s the dad, but mums have to muddle through with a rictus grin pretending they absolutely love every single moment of motherhood while singing jungle bells for the 18,000th time and prising salt dough out of their hair?

Rudolfthepurple · 04/12/2022 16:53

ShirleyPhallus · 04/12/2022 16:46

What’s wrong with a parent having me time? Or is it only ok when it’s the dad, but mums have to muddle through with a rictus grin pretending they absolutely love every single moment of motherhood while singing jungle bells for the 18,000th time and prising salt dough out of their hair?

Show quote history

This, 100%

elliesmummy19 · 04/12/2022 16:56

Is your husband going to be at his family’s house on Christmas Day while you’re home alone with the kids? Or am I reading it wrong? Why wouldn’t he stay home with you for the one day he’s off or why aren’t you invited to spend Christmas with him at his family’s house?

Original poster
whatatanker · 04/12/2022 17:39

elliesmummy19 · 04/12/2022 16:56

Is your husband going to be at his family’s house on Christmas Day while you’re home alone with the kids? Or am I reading it wrong? Why wouldn’t he stay home with you for the one day he’s off or why aren’t you invited to spend Christmas with him at his family’s house?

No, I mentioned that he can go to his parents’ house, if I decided to go away for Christmas. Just to add context that he would not be on his own for the day.

I get on well with the in laws and I’m invited there too with all the children. I’m not that keen on going, though, to be honest.

OP posts:
Proneu82 · 04/12/2022 17:42

Is absence of any reference at all to budget mean that it’s very substantial?

in which case, there’s options.
otherwise…. Take the children away over Christmas and book now and for there to be availability at somewhere where you would want to stay with childcare? 😂