keeping everyone happy in the holidays

[friendly]

I have 6 dc's 12 down to 1 and I am struggling this holidays to keep everyone happy. Dh is at work tho taking next week off thank goodness, otherwise I am on my own with them. Money is a bit of an issue atm unfortunately. How do you cope?

Also finding ds1 12 a bit tricky. Feels he's a bit too old to do the whole family thing and although I do leave him at home somedays I do think he's only 12 despite the fact that he thinks he's about 15! He does have fun when he comes on the whole, as long as we don't see anyone he knows!

It is tricky but 12 year old (and poss others) do need to do some things away from your little ones. Our local council run sports sessions...swimming, mini olympics football etc. They are very cheap, last the whole day and are often based at local schools. You do need to book though and they do fill up.

Try local sports clubs (tennis, cricket)?
Anything at the local pool. Over 8s can take themselves to supervised sessions. In our area under 16 swimming is still free.
Try local library or museum to see if there is anything free for your older ones to do.

Can you arrange for 12 yearold to spend some time with a friend who is an only one or the youngest in a family. Could he spend a few days with cousins or GP.

take them all geo caching

i have 5 dc ages 16 down to 2....this is something they all love!!

www.geocaching.com

this is a worldwide treasure hunt....no cost involved,except for leaving the odd bit of treasure behind (think mcdonald toys)

Hi everyone, sorry its a bit long !!! Friendly I know its not always easy.

I have four children aged 5- 14. I find that when booking to go places most places view a family as 2 kids and 2 adults. Some may extend to 3 kids.

I also childmind FIVE children. I have taken two weeks off, one more week to go. Hubby is off for two week also, WONDERFUL!! He is so supportive with the kids.

We wanted to go to Butlins but the price was too high! We took the kids out on day trips THREE times this week. A Safari park, Chessinton World.... and also Milton Maze Maize.

We have to look at places that would be suitable for all age groups. We really enjoyed Chessington. After 3 pm the meals were free for every paying adults. My 14 year old was classed as an adult? Whilst at Chessington my 14 and 11 year went off together. I can understand that they may not want to tag along with mum and dad etc.

Does your 12 year have friends that he may want to meet up with? I loosen the reins a bit with my older children but I have not given them free rein. I want to know where they are and we give them a time limit. Its takes time to build up the trust with your children.

Teenagers epecially think they are adults but at times they are not ready to do adults things.

Thanks everyone. ILT I joined geocaching this am. Just need to work out how to do gps on my phone. Definitely going to do that when dh off next week. Don't quite understand yet. One just up road from us but said where treasure was .

Tesco vouchers have come in handy. We are going to Chessington's, cinema and Hampton Court next week. Chessington's is great for all of them. We went for the first time on an inset day in the spring term and it was a great success. Did you find it very busy m2b?

Notagranny, I wanted to sign him up for a few things but he flatly refuses. He is incredibly gifted at most sports but thinks he's a bit too cool for any courses atm. He has been for a few sleepovers but most of his friends are away and those that aren't are xbox obsessed (as is he). However ds is only allowed on for a certain amount of time aday whereas one of his friend's is allowed on whenever and they ended up playing well into the small hours. If up to him he would go from xbox to computer to iplayer on the tv. I want him to chill out and relax of course but it's ridiculous. He refuses to read aaaaagh...

My mum said she would have him for a few days which will be nice for him and give him a break from the little ones (and us from him).

Writing it down it doesn't look so bad. When dh is off it should be ok. I just want to enjoy the holidays with them instead of looking forward to September. Thanks again

Hi again.

Chessington was busy, We had to queue on arrival. Got in a bit cheaper as we used vouchers.

My two older children (Boys) went for the more dearing rides. The new cobra (new) had a wait time of about 20-30 mins.

I really enjoyed the pizza and pasta place. With the after 3pm bargin it was great value for money. I think restaurants have realised that younger teenagers can eat like adults!

Enjoy yourselves

Should have mentioned the vouchers were part payment, still had to pay with my card.

Thanks m2b we are going on Tuesday. I bought my tickets with Tesco vouchers otherwise goodness knows how much it would cost us! I went on the Cobra last time and won't be doing it again! I liked the runaway train best! Thanks for your update. We'll just have to go with it. I'll take a picnic lunch and see about supper. Maybe McD's on the way home.

We've sorted out our week with dh here and it looks fun. It's the weeks he's not here that I worry about but I won't worry about that right now. I'm determined to enjoy a nice week with them all this week.

How was it friendly?