I can’t wait for the school holidays. This second term has been exhausting. A long hard slog of homework and schedules. Of 3.30am starts for work, drop offs and picks ups and endless rounds of preparing lunchboxes and uniforms and taking reluctant kids to swimming lessons.
I’m flattened. Tired to the bone. Do you feel that mid-year malaise too? The constant whining and complaining and refusal to put-those-shoes-on-now and the I-don’t-want-to-go-to-tennis/dancing/French/piano/soccer and the I’ve-lost-my lunchbox/library book/jumper. I need a break. I’ve had it.
So…here’s my exciting news.
I am heading away to a slightly fancy resort in a slightly fancy overseas destination. It’s not five-star but there will be a large bed, a pool, hopefully some sun and a kids’ club.
A kids’ club.
The very words make some sleep deprived mums swoon at the thought. The very notion makes some mums giddy with delight. I find the whole thing rather depressing.
Yeah I know what you are thinking: first world dilemma huh?
But kids’ clubs are simply something I don’t really understand.
Isn’t the notion of going on holiday about spending time together? I’m not judging you if spending thousands of dollars to go away with your kids and then fobbing them off to a kids’ club for hours on end is your thing (well maybe I am a little) but I just don’t get it.
I don’t expect everyone to understand. I have discussed this with other mums and I hear what they say, and they hear me and many of them just stare at me blankly. They need a break, they tell me. The kids enjoy kids’ clubs, they say. They want to spend quality time with their partner and the kids are entertained, they say/
I hear the reasons, but I don’t understand. (To tell you the truth, they hear my reasons right back at them and they don’t really understand either!)
Top Comments
I haven't used kids club before, probably because I haven't stayed in a resort! I'm just wondering what people think about safety in other countries, in Aus there is a huge amount of policies and practices to follow in child care and osh care, also these places fall under Australian law if something serious happens. I would be nervous dropping the kids off in a place where I didn't feel like I knew I was on the same page as the staff, or clear on the policies. What sort of assurances are people given when they use kids club?
I can only comment on ships kids clubs but as they are run by either American or Australian companies, the quality of care and the regulations are extremely high. Usually the staff are a mix of American, Canadian British or Philippine. There is a lot of documentation and security measures involved, particularly in signing kids out of clubs. Usually staff have a degree I early childhood education.
I have great memories of kids club as a child! I don't have children yet so probably can't really contribute to the debate but I do think this article seems a little judge-y. I made great friends on holidays, and as a clingy only child with some separation anxiety I think my parents were pretty cluey to get me involved with kids club while on holiday. And if they didn't think it was the best thing for me they actually would have hung out with me all holiday-we were a pretty tight knit unit, but they thought I would enjoy the holiday more with some friends/kids club activities, as well as spending time with my parents! Nowadays as a young adult I still take holidays with my parents and boyfriend and have a very close relationship with my parents. So kids club.... Good for suitable kids and families, it's totally fine and your choice not to utilise them this holidays, but it's also totally fine to use them and not be judged!