Ziggy Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 We're looking into booking our summer holidays, and the more I look at 'family friendly' places, the more I dislike them... It seems that the idea of a family holiday is to shove the kids into a club all day, feed them an early supper supervised by some resort staff and then get them into bed with a listening device while mum and dad go out for dinner, enjoying some 'us' time after a day of playing tennis, golf, and getting pampered... Now don't get me wrong, I don't want to criticise anyone who likes to have that kind of holidays, but it just is not my thing... My idea of a family holiday is actually to spend time together with OH and the kids, as a family... We tend to go on villa holidays rather than hotels or resorts, so don't normally have clubs, but still each time we book a short stay anywhere, I find myself having to ask if kids are actually allowed to dine with parents and everyone seems surprised that I actually want them around at dinner, rather than out of the way!! A friend of mine, or rather an acquaintance of mine, came back from a holiday once and said she had given my email to the hotel to send me a brochure as it was the most fantastic place for families... yes, you guessed it, she spent the whole week doing her own thing while the kids were in a club, and the kids were not allowed in the dining room... Well I might be weird, and believe my kids do occasionally get on my nerves, they are no angels and they do bicker a lot, but on holiday, and on my birthday, and on mother's day, and at any other special time, I want to be right amongst them... I want their memories of their childhood holidays to actually include me, and I want my memories of their childhood to be of them, not of playing golf or tennis... Okie... rant over... Thanks for this place, it's great to let off steam on here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Couldn't agree more. Last year we had a week at an activity centre in Wales, slept in a chalet on bunks, spending the days doing kayaking, canoeing, assault course, climbing..... it was fantastic. Adults and kids worked, played, ate together and ended with a singsong and a bonfire in the woods - all filthy, wet and worn out after such a busy week. The kids are still talking about it a year on, and we'll never forget seeing our then-5-year-old shin up the climbing wall and our normally shy OS punching the air after hitting gold on the archery range. We spend our working lives trying to find more time to spend with our kids. Why on earth would we want to ignore them for two weeks on holiday? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Feel free to rant all you like! I dont have kids but agree with you completely on this. I have fond memories of family holidays together as a child and if/when we have kids I would do my upmost to make sure they enjoyed time together. Fair enough every now and then parents deserve a break (a romantic weekend away etc) but holidays should be family time. I dont think you can beat a camping/caravan holiday when you're a little'un.....ooodles of fresh air, not worrying about getting dirty, playing footy with dad, eating outside...wonderful. I would want to do that with my kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Well said Chelsea - we've booked a campsite holiday this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Adults and kids worked, played, ate together and ended with a singsong and a bonfire in the woods - all filthy, wet and worn out after such a busy week. Sounds absolutely perfect! our sort of holiday, fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 when my sister and I were little, we went on a lot of caravan holidays with my parents and we loved it. We had an Elddis touring caravan. The kitchen table at the front folded down into a double bed for mum and dad and me and sis had bunk beds at the back. The caravan wasn't as luxurious as today's modern vans, it just had a chemical loo and no shower. Mum used to traipse us over to the shower block at the site for a wash. I remember helping her shop for food for the holiday and then securing it all down in the caravan before we left. Dad taking a panel out of the fence so he could hook the car up to the van (our house backed onto a playing field so we kept the van in the back garden and dad would drive the car round onto the field and get it out that way). Mum and ad always bought us a pack each to keep us occupied in the back of the car, colouring books etc. We loved getting there and being allowed to explore a bit while they set everything up. We went all over the UK in the caravan and they were really happy times. If you want a fun 'together' sort of holiday, you can't go far wrong with a caravan holiday! When we were bit older we stayed on farms and then mum and dad took us abroad when we were a bit older still but we were always together. Dad would play with us in the sea or the pool while mum sunbathed or we'd explore the local shops/markets together and then in the evening, all go out for a meal. We had some fabulous holidays and were never once farmed out to a kids club or whatever. Happy days Thanks for the trip down memory lane there Ziggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Well said Chelsea - we've booked a campsite holiday this year! I was just going to suggest this When our kids were little we used to stay at Eurocamps in France, we used to go with friends. The tents are already set up with every bit of camping equipment you could possibly need. The beds are ok, you just have to take your own linen and towels. The campsites are always close to a beach, and it is a lovely relaxing way to holiday with small children. They do have activities for children, but we never took advantage of them. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 oh I absolutely agree!! We used to take DS on holiday - in this country it was camping which he thought was fantastic and abroad we chose to stay in a villa. I always love going on holiday together - they spend too much time at school as it is - not to spend time with them in the holidays is something I just dont understand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 we were thinking of going to Abersoch in a caravan this year but it depends if we can find someone able to cope with the chooks, especially Bea's special needs but I won't be too bothered if we can't as I love my girls more than going on holiday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrishY Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 always went camping/caravannng with my children, ate in local restaurants (as it teaches them how to) as well as cooking in the open. One year we took a few weeks to travel up to aviemore for christmas - youngest was still in nappies, another christmas went to sandy balls in hampshire and stayed in a static caravan and took the children to see the new forest. We then got a motorhome and went most weekends to anglesey (was living in North Wales) and the children loved it but didn't bother anyone else - not like now we went camping when my son was 16 and we spent the holiday dodging footballs and frisbees from children who were playing next to our tent because they had to keep away from theirs and I suppose their parents Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Couldn't agree more . We always go to a self-catering house (usually in the middle of nowhere - we aren't very sociable on holiday ) and just go to beaches, to rivers, to lakes (lochs ), up mountains, etc etc. We take the dog when we can and usually eat in the house (saves money) and never do any organised activities (saves more money). The family holiday is the one time of the year the boys get on best with hardly any bickering. They love chucking stones in rivers or playing football on any old bit of ground. We've been to Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales, Holland, Belgium and France and this year are going on a cycling holiday in Italy (the first time we've flown together as a family). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 I agree the best part about holidays is doing things together as a family We have an ancient caravan that we lug over to France each summer, superb roads, great places to stay, and definately no television or site entertainment Even last year, and I'm hoping this one too, we all sit round at night and I read outloud from one of the books they choose to take, and even my eldest who hates reading, loves to listen Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 When I was a child we used to rent a boat on the Norfolk Broads and go as a family althogh we were sick of each other by the end of the week............never did get on with my brother. Last year the Webmuppets went to Menorca Sailing........Little Miss Webmuppet went to kids club between 10 and 1230 and then for a couple of hours in the afternoon.....she went off sailing and windsurfing while we went off sailing ...... we met up and lunchtime and late afternoon. It was self catering (for softies.....dishwasher and washing machine! ) but we had a great time.....the kids didn't have to go to kids club all the time. Little Miss Webmuppet went racing with the OH and caused some hilarity on the beach when she calmly sailed a racing dinghy back to the beach . We are going back there this year, she has her sights on sailing an RS Tera ( its a nice new kids dinghy) and loads of windsurfing. It's the ideal combo for us everyone gets to do what they want and we get to do stuff as a family too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted March 15, 2008 Author Share Posted March 15, 2008 Thanks everyone It's nice to hear other people also do enjoy family times with their kids and all the nice memories it brings on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little cluckers Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Couldn't agree more . We always go to a self-catering house (usually in the middle of nowhere - we aren't very sociable on holiday ) and just go to beaches, to rivers, to lakes (lochs ), up mountains, etc etc. We take the dog when we can and usually eat in the house (saves money) and never do any organised activities (saves more money). The family holiday is the one time of the year the boys get on best with hardly any bickering. They love chucking stones in rivers or playing football on any old bit of ground. . I knew there were other people like us somewhere!! All our friends like to sit by a pool sunning themselves whilst their kids are in a club. We went to a really remote Scottish cottage during half-term and it was the best holiday we've had in ages, playing football in the garden, finding hidden waterfalls in the countryside and finding really cool pebbles on the beach. It was great, the older boys didn't bicker once (a miracle) and the 2 little ones ran themselves silly!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 We went to a really remote Scottish cottage during half-term and it was the best holiday we've had in ages thats what we are doing this year! Apparently we have to cross a ford! its down a track and you can only reach it by 4x4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baby bears mum Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Totally agree. I'm very terratorial about holidays (and weekends to some extent) - I want to spend time with OH and Baby Bear. We live about an hour and a quarter from the Welsh coast and we have a little tourer which we set up on a site with no electricity but just a 15 min. walk to the beach. We have a porta-potti in the bathroom in the caravan and showers on site. We leave it there all summer (if there is one ) and go up and down to it for the odd week or weekends. We LOVE IT. OH gets to chill out Baby Bear gets to tear about the place like a mad thing and I get to do all the things I normally do at home but in a smaller space (only joking - well actually not really ). It is the most relaxing break we have ever had. Might sound boring to some but we have a whale of a time. We take the dog (he loves it) with us as well which saves a fortune on kennels (just wondering if we could smuggle the ladies up there as well - we could always say the Eglu is just a modern tent for chooks ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Couldn't agree more. We usually go on holiday with Thompson, but we avoid the Super Family places like the plague.They are not us at all. I don't think my girls have ever been to an organised child club like that....they are too busy having fun with Mum & Dad We are in a different situation now that they are teens,as they want & need a small amount of independance. So we are looking for a nice hotel in a nice town,on a nice Island where,after our loveley meal outside together in the evening,they can go & do whatever it is that teenagers ,do for a while. Hubby & I are quite looking forward to the few hours on our own in the evening Centerparcs works well for us as we know its safe.they know the place really well & we can all do as we please. I don't do camping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Families are what hols are all about. We always self cater in a cottage/flat/villa somewhere, & also go away with my parents alot. It's more fun that way. This year Alexander is old enough to go to a camp in Keswick, & so the timing of our fortnight's holiday has been dictated by this- we didn't want to be off work when he is away. So... I should have been off week this week to sort out the house as the building work is finished- all we need do now is decorate, and also my parents have been to Spain so we had no childcare. Hubby was still off, & I have swopped my week for one in July when Ethan & I will go camping together in Keswick ( but somewhere different), as hubby has to work We are staying here http://www.keswickministries.org/booking_accommodation `at the Action Partners campsite where we are catered for , and quite a few of our friends are in Keswick at the same time so we should be ok- I am way out of my comfort zone ( not literally- I love camping) but will be without Hubby. I won a tent from freecycle, but it may be a bit big to get in the car, so this morning I spotted this tent in my local cheapo store for £14.99 & bagged it http://www.amazon.co.uk/Camping-Person-Berth-double-layer/dp/B000OUNYIG/ref=pd , so that's what we will be sleeping in for the week. We are also staying here for a couple of nights in August http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=6089, & then the following week going back to Keswick with my parents to stay here http://www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk/property-gallery.aspx?productid=109485. Phew!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 I'm not a sitting by the pool for a whole week kind of person either. We go to an accoustic music festival as a family and camping or caravanning for the odd weekends. There's so much to do at the festival for everyone and there's such a friendly atmosphere. We got our 22 year old caravan last year and it's brilliant I always thought that caravans were silly, but felt really envious when we were in a tent in a hail storm and all the people in caravans were just sitting inside with a cup of tea It's really amazing what a cool caravan you can get for £600 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krysia Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Used ot love sitting by the pool and reading agood book however knew I would have to (Or rather should) sacrifice that once we became parents. As a child we both had many camping holidays and last year at the age of 10 months Ashley enjoyed his 1st camping experience. In fact is was so great we again a month later. I have a friend who goes away every year for a fortnight with Hubby and leaves the kids with the grandparents. In my opinion don't have kids if you don't want them 52 weeks a year The odd weekend might be nice but not a holiday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 We had our first ever holiday with just the five of us last October - every other time there's been in-laws and the like. OH and I are always stressed at home, always tired, in a rush, we argue a lot (and make up a lot too ) but we got a late deal wo a villa in Portugal. Booked the flights with easy-jet one way and air portugal the other, it was cheap as chips (if it can be with 5 of us) and it was absolutely fantastic. We didn't argue once. After a stressful year it was just what we all needed. We had our own pool, the kids had an absolute ball and we ate out every evening - WITH our three children, the youngest being two. In our book although we enjoy the odd night away from them (apart from the hangover ) and we've got one next weekend, we had kids so we could be with them, not get rid of them. I inherited some money last year and bought us a tent as holidays abroad are going to be pretty few and far between and that was one of the best things we've ever bought. Kids loved it. Stick to your guns and have a great holiday wherever you go Mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 I agree with the original rant. I will come back and read the rest but I go our for the day and theres pages to read and I need my dinner. If and I ever mean if we can ever afford to take our children abroad we want to go to Italy as we know that they cater for children in good way. We'll be able to give them siestas then they come come and have late dinners with us in family friendly food places because over there everywhere seems to be properly family friendly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Wow, good to see so many people with the same ideas about children on holiday! It's wonderful! We started camping the year before last and the children love it. Jules I am so cross with you - I tried to book at Tan-y-Bryn last year, but they were booked up when we could go Looks lovely - hope it lives up to it's reviews! We are going here June half term: http://www.humblebeefarm.co.uk/index.html They have chickens! Near to the beach and half an hour from York (for York, read National Railway Museum) Kids can't wait! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 We are going here June half term: http://www.humblebeefarm.co.uk/index.html They have chickens! Near to the beach and half an hour from York (for York, read National Railway Museum) Kids can't wait! Looks fab Snowy..the kids will love it! You can even collect eggs from the humblebee chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
