How do I explain to DCs that they won't be going on holiday inschool hols?

[NickRobinsonsloveslave]

Basically I just can't afford or physically cope on my own with taking them to the seaside for a holiday.

Feel so bad about this as their friends at school and pre-school have all been talking about where they will be going on their hols. DS1 is desperate to go to Disneyland as his best friend is going, but I just cannot do this on my own.

Have written up a timetable for the next 6 weeks with days out to park and cinema and swimming (with a bit of help from their grandma), and will be royally knackered at the end of school break, but still feel bad when I see the dissapointment on their faces at thought of no sea or beach.

I hope you get through your summer OK OP. You might also find it useful to start another thread about ways to get rid of a lazy, selfish, parasitic prick of a man.

Hi -your solicitor shouldn't just advise you to stay put when you have separated without some sort of plan in place, or at least discussing what options are open to you. If he/she has then I would suggest you see another solicitor. You have options. Go for a family law specialist. Lots of them will give half an hour free legal advice. take a friend with you and a pen and paper so you can have a list of questions ready and make notes. Just telling you to stay put indefinitely in this atmosphere is not good advice. I don't know any divorced couple who still live under the same roof. You don't have to live like this.

How about an adaptation of an advent calendar idea I read on here? You write down things to do on pieces of paper and each day pick one out of a hat/mug - so could have 'picnic in the park' 'play football in the garden', 'go on a bus ride' 'watch a DVD with popcorn' etc. As long as they are things you can get ready to do the same day, it would work and then each morning/evening they can have the excitement of picking one out.

Your H sounds appalling. Commiserations to you. He should be ashamed of just ignoring his DC. Definitely get a solicitor on the case. If he won't take them anywhere, he can at least be made to give up some of his golf money so that you can!

Just thinking, maybe the above would be best done not every single day but 1/2 days a week as 'surprise days', then you can plan stuff the rest of the time.

We have had a great day today, and all we did was go to a different local park!

You are all right, we don't need to spend money to have a good time.