Help me not to want to throttle my DSC and swap them next summer for some poor children who've never been abroad and would actually enjoy it!
DSC are aged 9-15 (16 by next summer). I also have two of my own (9 and 12) DSC go to a private school where they've had all sorts of exciting school trips to the south of France, Iceland, etc. They are so bloody negative about going on holiday. Whatever DP or I suggest is met with at best apathy, and usually real negativity as if we were suggesting something awful. I gather they are much the same with their mum and stepdad.
I love holidays, and so do my DCs. I love having time away from everything, sunshine, swimming, seeing new things, eating out, learning about new places, and spending real quality time with people. But today we've been discussing next summer with the DSC and have had "I hate warm places... I hate rain.... why would anyone want to climb a mountain?... I hate eating out..... I don't like the sea.... I don't like going abroad.... I don't like sitting in a car....I don't like activities....what's the point in going abroad just to chill out?"
I'm seriously considering taking just mine away for our main summer holiday next year. But this would make me rather sad for a few reasons:
- I'd miss DP and enjoy the holiday much more if he was with me.
- I'm reasonably confident travelling alone with kids, but less so than I'd be with another adult. Everthing's more stressful on your own.
- My DCs and DP's younger two DCs get on really well these days very much enjoyed each other's company this summer. DP's younger two - despite the initial apathy - would probably enjoy most holidays once they got there. But I'm not sure if DP would be up for taking just the younger two, even if his ex was up for having the others.
But is this the only real option if I want a holiday with children who actually appreciate it?
Makes me so cross, that what are overall nice kids are so spoiled they can't enjoy things.