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School holidays

Find half term and school holiday activity ideas.

Original poster

On holiday - I’m a good person and do not deserve this

219 replies

LittleLadyCece · 22/08/2025 15:39

Currently away abroad on holiday with extended family - me, DH and 2 DDs, my parents, DB, DSIL and DN. My children 10 and 15 are being horrendous. Youngest currently refusing shower after being in the pool all day, eldest who we’ve paid for a friend to come too also kicking off as she wants to go to the games room with me before going for tea……I’m half showered and clearly not able to do anything! DH pissed off with everything and just left to go read by the pool.

Im a good mum and person and feel like I don’t deserve all the crap I’m currently getting. I don’t know why I’m even writing I don’t know what I expect people to say other than a hand hold.

my DDs just seem to be such hard work and really mean to me. They have all the love and attention I can give them I don’t know what more I can do.

sorry I’m just at the end of my teather and feeling sorry for myself I suppose 😫

OP posts:
Mildorado · 22/08/2025 18:55

Drippybeef · 22/08/2025 15:47

I wouldn't bother making them shower. It's not worth the hassle on holiday. Let them smell. It won't do any harm. On holiday I have the attitude "do what you want" (within reason!). We're currently away on a trip of lifetime. It's cost around £10k and my teen DC has moaned most of the time. Given them options for activities/meals etc and they've just shrug their shoulders and said "'I dunno'
I DESPAIR

God Almighty. Moaning about the trip of a lifetime. That's just terrible

Mildorado · 22/08/2025 18:57

Velvian · 22/08/2025 16:21

Sounds hard. Teenagers are very similar to babies, when they make a noise they're likely hungry or tired or both. I bet both will be better after some food and feel silly for their behaviour.

Negotiate with the 10yo that she can leave the shower now as long as she has one before bed.

They are not similar to babies. At 15, it's entirely possible to communicate politely and effectively.
There's absolutely no need for this behaviour, they're on holiday! How ungrateful

ReadingTime · 22/08/2025 18:58

Northerngirl821 · 22/08/2025 18:16

If you haven’t raised your kids to be respectful and understand boundaries then it is your fault really, sorry to say. By 10 and 15 they should understand that no means no. Where is your husband in all of this and why does he get a free pass to go and relax while you sort everything out?

Agree with this. I think that if you’re in the position that you’re getting crap from your kids at these ages, it’s because they’ve got used to you taking it and accepting this role. Just tell them to stop treating you like a person who deserves to be moaned at, that you’re not doing this any more, and mean it. Then ignore any further drama from them. And don’t pick any unnecessary fights.

I think you also need to have an emergency short private chat with the 15 year old about not acting like a twat and being a good host to her friend, and point out that if she doesn’t stop acting like a twat, the friend is going to have a horrible time, will think less of your dd because of her behaviour, and the friendship will be damaged. Hopefully that will get her attention.

Snugglemonkey · 22/08/2025 19:01

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 22/08/2025 15:40

Tell your husband to haul arse back to deal with this too instead of dumping it all on you.

Definitely!!!!

youalright · 22/08/2025 19:03

At 10 and 15 id go grab a book and join your husband

Crushed23 · 22/08/2025 19:08

statetrooperstacey · 22/08/2025 16:10

I wouldnt entertain either of them. Tell her Ok don’t shower , you can go out covered in toddler piss and other peoples sun cream rinsed from their arsecrack. As for the older one , just tell her to fuck off, actually roar it at her then fuck off to the pool to also read/ drink cocktails. You and DH can bond over how horrible they are and when they appear , or not , you can present a united front.

100% this.

Why are you letting two insufferable brats ruin your holiday? Leave them the fuck to it and go and have a cocktail by the pool with your husband.

Crushed23 · 22/08/2025 19:11

80smonster · 22/08/2025 18:27

We left our 8 year old DD with her granny, whilst me and DH went on holiday, best holiday we’ve had in years. 8 years to be precise. Holidaying with kids is basically working abroad.

DP’s parents are from a culture where it’s common to leave kids with grandparents over the summer. That’s the only reason I would entertain having a baby with this man. 😅 I live for holidays and I’ll be damned if a tantrumming toddler or a stroppy tween ruins that for me.

bumbaloo · 22/08/2025 19:14

LittleLadyCece · 22/08/2025 15:44

Yes @Returnofjude thats what I thought as well. The friend is getting ready and as per the plan meeting up for the games room before tea but DD decides I have to go with her now…..honestly i just wonder where I went wrong.

sorry seriously need to sort myself out and stop blaming myself!!

You went wrong when you had dc with a man who feels it is appropriate to bugger off when things get tough leaving all parenting to you and showing no solidarity. He’s also modelling really bad behaviour. Avoid responsibility and piss off when you are not happy

Gymgirl92 · 22/08/2025 19:14

Sorry, but what on earth is a DSIL?!

SerafinasGoose · 22/08/2025 19:14

Did I really just see someone tell a poster who shared that she has an aggressive form of cancer that she has a 'shit life?'

FFS. This site really is scraping the barrel these days. @Driftingawaynow I'm sorry to hear about your illness, and sorry you had to read that.

Driftingawaynow · 22/08/2025 19:15

SerafinasGoose · 22/08/2025 19:14

Did I really just see someone tell a poster who shared that she has an aggressive form of cancer that she has a 'shit life?'

FFS. This site really is scraping the barrel these days. @Driftingawaynow I'm sorry to hear about your illness, and sorry you had to read that.

Thank you. At least there’s some people on here who aren’t total cunts 😂

Mildorado · 22/08/2025 19:33

Crushed23 · 22/08/2025 19:11

DP’s parents are from a culture where it’s common to leave kids with grandparents over the summer. That’s the only reason I would entertain having a baby with this man. 😅 I live for holidays and I’ll be damned if a tantrumming toddler or a stroppy tween ruins that for me.

Show quote history

Believe me, they don't have to! Mine are adults now, but when they were younger they were fine on holiday and we all enjoyed it. However, mine were teenagers before smart phones though, which seems to me to make a difference.....

Creek2025 · 22/08/2025 19:33

Just wanted to say I’m sorry that your going through this sending lots of love

Barrenfieldoffucks · 22/08/2025 19:34

I would pick your battles. 10 year old doesn't have to shower, 15 year old may be feeling nervous in a new place.

youalright · 22/08/2025 19:37

Gymgirl92 · 22/08/2025 19:14

Sorry, but what on earth is a DSIL?!

Sister in law or son in law or santa in leggings 🎅

katepilar · 22/08/2025 19:39

Why does a child need a shower after a day in the pool? Choose your battles.

TryingAgainAgainAgain · 22/08/2025 19:42

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TryingAgainAgainAgain · 22/08/2025 19:43

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(Double post)

Cranberryavocado · 22/08/2025 19:46

Tell them you are cancelling all activities for tomorrow and having a day to yourself if they dont buck their ideas up. Its shower for the youngest and gamea room fo4 the oldest and an early night for everyone tonight.
I find mine get overtired on holiday and become absolute nightmares and have to enforce a rest day and a very early night after a few days as the constant pool, sun, late dinners etc gets too much.
Potentially they are just very tired.

Returnofjude · 22/08/2025 19:46

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But ok for you to name call a poster a “twat”?

Marieb19 · 22/08/2025 19:47

I think you need to get scary parent out. Your children are behaving very badly because they can.

Mildorado · 22/08/2025 19:48

So many people saying "pick your battles", I don't know why there needs to be battles.
OP, I hope things have calmed down a bit and you've all had your meal. They sound a bit over stimulated and lacking in self management, but perhaps things will settle down as they relax more on the holiday. However, don't tolerate rudeness, and have a word with DH.
I hope things are better for you tomorrow. 🌻

coxesorangepippin · 22/08/2025 19:51

I wouldn't be accompanying any 15 year old to a games room.

Likewise I wouldn't enforce showers.

Driftingawaynow · 22/08/2025 19:54

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wel obv I disagree, OP is making absolute mountains out of molehills IMO

Returnofjude · 22/08/2025 19:57

Mildorado · 22/08/2025 19:48

So many people saying "pick your battles", I don't know why there needs to be battles.
OP, I hope things have calmed down a bit and you've all had your meal. They sound a bit over stimulated and lacking in self management, but perhaps things will settle down as they relax more on the holiday. However, don't tolerate rudeness, and have a word with DH.
I hope things are better for you tomorrow. 🌻

Oh of course there are “battles” when it comes to teens, pre teens… in fact every age

It is just a terminology for arguing / disagreeing