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Original poster

Shall I let my childminder take my three children to Butlins for a long weekend [shock]?

31 replies

Enid · 13/01/2006 09:15

Dh and I want to go away for a long weekend in September to celebrate my 40th. My trusted mother's help has offered to look after my three children (6, 3.5 and 5 months) for the weekend. She wants to take them to Butlins . Now apart from the fact the idea of Butlins fills me with horror, do you think that is a mad idea? I told her I thought it would be too much but she said 'You should see the amount of children I have taken before!' She has five children of her own (grown up except youngest who will be nearly 12 and going with them - she is lovely and the dds adore her). She seems totally at ease with it. What do you think?

OP posts:
ggglimpopo · 13/01/2006 09:17

Message withdrawn

misdee · 13/01/2006 09:19

they will love butlins. i have jusy booked a short break for me and the kids fot the end of march.

acnebride · 13/01/2006 09:23

if i had to look after 3 children for the weekend somewhere like butlins would be ideal - loads for them to do, secure gates, beach nearby (?presumably - at Bognor anyway). I've had good fun at Butlins, your kids will have the time of your lives, you'll have a lovely break, what's not to like! and does your childminder have any vacancies??

harpsichordcarrier · 13/01/2006 09:25

blimey YES
it will be utterly fab for them
the easiest place in the WORLD to look after three children
(ps will she take mine??)

FrannyandZooey · 13/01/2006 09:27

Are you sure you will want to leave the baby, Enid? Hard to know how you might feel in September...

If it's just a case of where they should go, I would think Butlins would be fine, although not sure how she will cope with 3 little ones in the pool etc. Will she have her husband there to help or just the 12 year old?

Unless you fancy paying out for Center Parcs or similar I would think Butlins would be fun for all of them.

Easy · 13/01/2006 09:36

Yes let her. In fact can she take my ds too, as he hassles me everytime the ad comes on the telly, and hell will freeze over before I'm seen in a Butlins.

Seriously, Assuming she knows your kids very well (have they stayed overnight with her before?) and they would be happy, then I think it's a great idea, as it will keep the kids occupied so they won't miss you.

Where are YOU planning to go. I took dh to Barcelona when it was his 40th (that was Sept too) and can heartily recommend it.

fairyjay · 13/01/2006 09:41

Go for it! Once a year, the lady who has looked after our two since babies takes them to Blackpool for the weekend (together with her dh!).
They have loads of fun.

I first left dd for a weekend when she was 5 mths. old, and providing it's with someone who is familiar with their routine, I think it does them (and you!) the world of good.

codnotamod · 13/01/2006 09:42

my sister went once ( and hs ei not the type but had wona day there in a rfalle) and said it was great

but the popelw were horrenouds

harpsichordcarrier · 13/01/2006 09:42

hey! what's wrong with Butlins now?

codnotamod · 13/01/2006 09:43

shaved hair fatness and tattos oblig

codnotamod · 13/01/2006 09:43

its chavvy

harpsichordcarrier · 13/01/2006 09:43

say what cod?

katierocket · 13/01/2006 09:43

They will have a great time.

codnotamod · 13/01/2006 09:44

< must go and clean>

katierocket · 13/01/2006 09:44

did you get the trainers BTW?

harpsichordcarrier · 13/01/2006 09:44

yes chavvy
children love it much more than all those risotto stripped pine places you lot take them too

codnotamod · 13/01/2006 09:45

i never take mine anywher
all they want to do is go to parks

harpsichordcarrier · 13/01/2006 09:45

that's boys for you

harpsichordcarrier · 13/01/2006 09:46

I used to work at Butlins

codnotamod · 13/01/2006 09:48

lol
hc leading singaslongs

Blu · 13/01/2006 09:48

Yes!
I spent my childhood begging to be taken to butlins, to no avail. This way you can let your kids enjoy the experience (and they will love it) and you won't have to face your worst nightmare.

If you trust her to look after her kids, and she knows what she's talking about, let her get on with it. It sounds fab!

The rest of you - cover your naked snobbery, it's downright indecent

Original poster
Enid · 13/01/2006 09:48

oh thank goodness for that

she goes to Butlins A LOT (the Minehead one) so knows it really well. She seemed genuinely taken aback when I suggested it might be too much for her.

Franny I have no idea about how I will feel about leaving the baby obviously - knowing me probably crap but also realistic that this is my third baby and tbh life goes on and it won't be the end of the world. I am planning to breastfeed but also to express early and give bottles early. J (mother's help) will no doubt be a big part of this baby's life.

OP posts:
codnotamod · 13/01/2006 09:48

and its big blu

;)

Original poster
Enid · 13/01/2006 09:50

the girls will love it. not sure how dd2 will cope with the show in the evening as she hates pantomimes but J says she is prepared for that and will take her out straight away if she gets upset.

J takes them to macdonalds, its fab, I never have to go and can remain aloof and slightly damning while not turning the kids into precious middle class Algernons

OP posts:
Easy · 13/01/2006 09:54

Enid, Where did you find this wonderful woman?

Is there a Mary Poppins shop somewhere so I can get one?