So, have your kids been to one of the resorts kids clubs? Now I know this is a topic that can get parents all hot and bothered, but here goes.
Some friends say adamantly that they would NEVER send their kids to a kids club because holidays are all about family time. I get that, I really do.
I also get camping and being outdoors all the time on holidays…. but……. My life is just not like that… and neither are my kids.
We have just got back from a couple of nights at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley. It has an actual proper kids club. Why wasn’t I told before now? My twins, who are eight, spent two very happy sessions at the Water Dragon kids club. I got to take all the photos I needed, send a few emails and even enjoy a 30 minute facial – hooray!
Why I never expected to use a Kids Club before I had kids – I had never ever been on a resort holiday.
As a child in Scotland we went camping, cycling or sailing every year. As a teenager I’d taken trains all over Europe and then started wandering the world with my backpack. I’d scuba dived off Zanzibar and seen slave forts in Ghana. When our eldest son was three months old we moved to Karachi for a year. I was looking at brochures for yak treks in the Himalayas… kids clubs were NOT on my mind at all!
But it’s amazing how parenthood can change your deepest held beliefs preconceptions and, dare I admit, prejudices.
I’ve ended up with four children, two have ADHD and one also has autism spectrum disorder. I had the twins when I was aged 42. I have been so worn out and exhausted, I can barely believe we’ve all survived. I can’t tell you how much I have LOVED staying in resorts and how very GRATEFUL I have been when the kids have gone off joyfully to a kids club.
Ah, heaven… I remember the first time I lay down by a pool and read my book, there were tears of emotion I can tell you. My tip for Kids Clubs I always tell the kids that it’s 100% their choice whether they go or not. My Mr8 is still initially sceptical, and I genuinely would never force him to go.
On this last trip, we went to visit the Water Dragons Kids Club and had a good look round. My daughter immediately sat down at the craft table and she insisted I book her into the rest of that afternoon’s session then and there. Mr8 zoomed out to the playground and then heard there were chickens to visit and also insisted on staying. They demanded to go back next day, who was I to say no?
Those three hours of time alone were gold for me. I was a better mum for the other 21 hours a day. I played for hours in the pool with them and we carved up the ping pong tables too.
A little break goes a long way in motherhood, especially a fairly cheap one. The Crowne Plaza charges just $15 per 3 hour session per child.
Kids clubs – are you for or against? And what do your kids say? Can you recommend a kids club to others?
Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com
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