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Original poster

In S France, dd decided she’s not swimming, struggling for things to do

51 replies

wonderstuff · 25/08/2022 22:58

Apparently her costume is too small, I have a spare but she’s not willing to try it on. Looked at buying new but only one she liked was 50€, a lot for 2 days! Here until Sunday, activities options all seem water based. We’re in a smallish campsite in a static. I’m on my own with dd14 and DS12, pool on campsite closes at 7pm and all children need to be supervised, seems early and obviously can’t entertain both kids at same time. Other families here seem to have much younger kids and not many English families, my French is poor and dc don’t speak any.

I’ve got a hire car but really not enjoying driving it, it’s bigger than mine and roads are so narrow in places. They had fun at the beach yesterday until dd decided swim suit was uncomfortable. Today they have been bored. Walked to town and bought cakes, played lots of dobble…

i know I sound spoilt but I’m really ready to go home. Did look at earlier return options, but all trains are fully booked until Monday. Which is making me anxious about missing our booked train on Sunday, no reason why we should, but looks like we’d be stuffed if we did. Dh flew back Tuesday for work and I thought it would be nice to hang around with the kids for a few days, but it’s hot and they’re bored.

Driving to Bordeaux tomorrow, which I’m sure will stress me out and they’ll complain they’re hot.. live and learn I guess.

OP posts:
SNWannabe · 25/08/2022 23:04

Choose your battles. I’d have spent the money on the swimsuit as it will be worn at home etc too so it’s not for 2 days. Or you’ll spend more trying to placate and entertain a stroppy teenager. Why can’t you just take your son to the pool and let her sunbathe and sit on her phone. If she gets bored enough she might try on the spare swimsuit or find something else to do.

Maytodecember · 25/08/2022 23:04

In Bordeaux don’t drive into the city. Stop at one of the tram stations, they all have big car parks. You used to get your tram tickets handed to you when you went into park, don’t know if that’s changed. The trams are easy. Look for the Tourist Office in Bordeaux ( Bureau de Tourisme) They’ll speak English. See if there’s a tourist bus with commentary. Their website in English www.bordeaux-tourism.co.uk. Possibly a boat trip?

At your campsite are there any kayaks, canoes?

nancy75 · 25/08/2022 23:06

Has she got her period & is embarrassed to say so is making excuses?

treesandweeds · 25/08/2022 23:07

Why can't you entertain both at the same time, they are close in age. I taught mine poker on holiday and we bet with sweets. They loved it and played for hours in the evenings. Easy to learn and play and you eat your winnings!

abovedecknotbelow · 25/08/2022 23:09

Has she got her period?

Don't to drive into Bordeaux, it's a nightmare and yes it will be fucking hot, the paving radiates heat in the port. The aquarium is good though.

fruitbrewhaha · 25/08/2022 23:09

nancy75 · 25/08/2022 23:06

Has she got her period & is embarrassed to say so is making excuses?

I was thinking this too

Original poster
wonderstuff · 25/08/2022 23:12

nancy75 · 25/08/2022 23:06

Has she got her period & is embarrassed to say so is making excuses?

I don’t think so, but she’s definitely self conscious, reluctant to wear shorts even. She won’t be sunbathing when I take ds to the pool, she’ll be in her room. Ds broke his phone before we left which doesn’t help matters.

She was enjoying the beach yesterday though, we hired body boards and it was fun. More I try to get her to consider the water the more she pushes back.

OP posts:
LizzieSiddal · 25/08/2022 23:14

Agree with PP get a pack or two of cards and play games, mine used to love Gin Rummy, they were obsessed with it and used to even take them into restaurants to play whilst we waited for food.

ChateauMargaux · 25/08/2022 23:14

Last week of the holidays here.. took kids on a day out, they moaned, I lost my patience.. we made up.. enjoyed the rest of the day.

Original poster
wonderstuff · 25/08/2022 23:16

Maytodecember · 25/08/2022 23:04

In Bordeaux don’t drive into the city. Stop at one of the tram stations, they all have big car parks. You used to get your tram tickets handed to you when you went into park, don’t know if that’s changed. The trams are easy. Look for the Tourist Office in Bordeaux ( Bureau de Tourisme) They’ll speak English. See if there’s a tourist bus with commentary. Their website in English www.bordeaux-tourism.co.uk. Possibly a boat trip?

At your campsite are there any kayaks, canoes?

Thank you, I’ll look at that. No canoes at campsite but we are walking distance to a lake which I think has lots of options. We are in Hortin.

Am going to have to drive the car to Bordeaux station on Sunday to return it and catch the train. Seemed like such a good idea a few months ago!

OP posts:
LizzieSiddal · 25/08/2022 23:19

My dad used to have a saying, he only used on holiday if we 3 were bored or moaning or moping.-

“We’ve paid a lot of money for this holiday and you will enjoy it whether you like it or not”.

He did say it in a jokey way but we got the idea and shaped up pretty quickly!

NewYorkLassie · 25/08/2022 23:21

Could it be a hair removal issue?

nancy75 · 25/08/2022 23:23

wonderstuff · 25/08/2022 23:12

I don’t think so, but she’s definitely self conscious, reluctant to wear shorts even. She won’t be sunbathing when I take ds to the pool, she’ll be in her room. Ds broke his phone before we left which doesn’t help matters.

She was enjoying the beach yesterday though, we hired body boards and it was fun. More I try to get her to consider the water the more she pushes back.

Show quote history

We had very similar when Dd was around that age & periods were the problem. I’m very open with Dd about that kind of stuff but she was still very shy about it. Might be worth a chat (and being prepared with some tampons)

HeddaGarbled · 25/08/2022 23:23

14 is such an excruciating age for being self-conscious. If you can afford it, I’d get her the nice swimsuit.

resipsa · 25/08/2022 23:29

Isn't it just. I guaranteed Yr 7 DD that no one from her school would be at our hotel in Turkey. I was wrong and he was a boy 🙈.

nancy75 · 25/08/2022 23:32

resipsa · 25/08/2022 23:29

Isn't it just. I guaranteed Yr 7 DD that no one from her school would be at our hotel in Turkey. I was wrong and he was a boy 🙈.

That is bad luck, at that age I think I’d have hidden in the room for the whole holiday rather than have a boy from school see me! Thank god we don’t have to be teenagers again

Original poster
wonderstuff · 25/08/2022 23:32

HeddaGarbled · 25/08/2022 23:23

14 is such an excruciating age for being self-conscious. If you can afford it, I’d get her the nice swimsuit.

I would if I thought she actually would wear it, I’ll talk to her tomorrow, I think it was more a ‘the only one that wasn’t too tiny was 50€’ she won’t swim at home, although when she loses her inhibitions for a while does enjoy playing in the sea. Sadly we live a way away from it so don’t go often, a new suit may well only be worn for a few hours.

i absolutely feel for her, I’m not upset, just want them both to have a nice time. Should have arranged to leave the same time as dh, we came at the weekend for a wedding, wouldn’t have necessarily picked this part of the world for a holiday, but we’re here now.

OP posts:
resipsa · 25/08/2022 23:39

@nancy75 I know! Thankfully we had a room with a private deck/swim up thing so she was OK but the main pool was a no go (suited me). Will never issue such a guarantee again.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 25/08/2022 23:43

I wouldn't want to swim in a too small costume tbh.

PicketRingFenced · 25/08/2022 23:43

Sometimes having a nice time is doing sweet FA on holiday. Just relaxing and then after a while she'll want to do something

MrsOwainGlyndŵr · 25/08/2022 23:44

Where about are you? Lots of markets to visit, boat trips, train over to Monte Carlo for the day, or into Italy. Or Spain/Barcelona if you're that side. Crazy golf. Sandcastles on the beach. Quite a few Roman ruins in S France.
Canoeing.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 25/08/2022 23:48

PicketRingFenced · 25/08/2022 23:43

Sometimes having a nice time is doing sweet FA on holiday. Just relaxing and then after a while she'll want to do something

Very true.

Original poster
wonderstuff · 25/08/2022 23:50

We’re in Gironde region, Hortin Lake. It’s very quiet. Beach is 20 min drive.

OP posts:
Original poster
wonderstuff · 25/08/2022 23:51

PicketRingFenced · 25/08/2022 23:43

Sometimes having a nice time is doing sweet FA on holiday. Just relaxing and then after a while she'll want to do something

This was what we did today, just feel we’d be happier doing that at home!

OP posts:
Quitelikeacatslife · 25/08/2022 23:55

Can't you get her to come to pool and chill play cards with her, read etc whilst DS plays? She'll probably join in when she sees him having fun.
Check re the period though