How do you cope with all the differing "holiday needs" of children of different ages??

[kittywise]

My eldest is 10.5, my youngest just turned 2.

I am finding it increasingly difficult to go out together as a group because the older ds's 9 and 10 can no longer stand doing all the 'baby' stuff we do with the younger ones. I can quite see their point. I am fed up with it too!!!!

They are bored during the holidays and need a change of routine but I find it so difficult, actually impossible on my own with the six of them to cater for everyone's needs.

The more interesting museums etc are a no no because of the 2 and 3 year old who would of course just run round breaking things!!!

What do you all do??????

Help please!!!!!!

I had this problem too! Although I only have four children so I can imagine things are even more difficult for you.

It's a bit easier now but when my youngest two were very small it was rather tricky as the oldest two wanted to do entirely different things. I must admit we did alot of trips to various country parks for picnics during the tricky phase. It meant I could set up camp with lots of blankets, rugs,games, bats and balls etc. and let the children get on with it. We also had season tickets for our local play park where the little two could go on the gentle rides while the older two went on something more white knuckle.

Swimming was a good one. I used to take the little two in the baby pool while the older two used both pools. It did mean the older two had to be good swimmers though or I don't think it would have worked.

They were usually quite happy to watch the same films at the cinema although that doesn't happen anymore. Last time we all went to the cinema, the eldest two went in one screen to watch a girlie teen film, while I watched a Disney film with the younger two. It did kind of defeat the object of going out together but at least everyone was happy.

The tricky phase didn't last too long, and now my eldest two don't want to come out with me and the youngest two anymore, I really miss those days.

We were lucky as we didn't really have a problem until the older ones got into their teens. At 10y they were quite happy pitching in with the toddlers, taking them on the rides and generally getting games going for them.

We did similar to madmental in that we visited parks where the older ones could run around and the little ones could stay with me. Parks were good. Mine have always liked swings and the little ones could go on the baby swings.

Museums,etc - I kept the smallest in the pushchair or carried them and generally they behaved themselves. I did watch them like a hawk to prevent touching. But it never stopped us going to art galleries, museums etc. Sometimes we would have to cut a visit short if one of the little ones became cranky. But in the main, everyone usually enjoyed going out.

Thanks ladies

One of the probs with my kids is that they all want a piece of me all of the time. So if I take them to park they will all want to play at the same time and seem unwilling to play with each other, that's the older 2, the younger ones are quite happy.