Forum Topic

Anyone with teens in W3?

Thinking about what to do with my son over the Easter holidays. We both work and he is now 13 so a little too old for the day camps and really doesn't want to attend them any longer and i don't blame him. We are fairly new to Acton and have only been in the area for a few months. Interested to know what other parents do..Residential Camps are far too expensive and we have already planned a couple of holidays this year but they don't exactly cover the 12(ish) weeks the kids get off school.

Tanya Santos ● 4578d14 Comments

This is something a lot of people struggle with, mumsnet discussion boards have lots of threads debating what to do with teens in the holidays and at what age they can be left alone. As you say there are more options for younger children but few for teens and by default parents that both work cannot necessarily afford what little is on offer. It is all very well and good parents being encouraged back to work by the government or by necessity but to do with the children? Many it seems leave children as young as 10 home alone and whilst there is no law against this, if anything were to happen to the child the parent would be deemed negligent. I'm afraid I don't have a solution but I was reading up on this recently as some of my daughters schoolmates are left home alone for an hour or two and I've taken her round to play and found that the parent is on their way out to pick up a sibling etc and is leaving the kids at home and been faced with the awkwardness of questioning it. I don't have a solution but it is certainly an increasing problem. I'll be interested to see what others come up with. Good luck.

M Vincic ● 4577d

I know you said that he's too old for holiday clubs, but have you considered Chiswick Courses (http://www.chiswickcourses.co.uk/)?  They have a broad range of courses suited for children up to 16 years, including woodworking, lego robots, programming, drama, cooking, business, and the list goes on ...Our children have been going there for several years, would highly recommend them.  They also offer early starts and late pick up times (for a cost) for those working parents that need the extended day.

Kim Bobsin ● 4577d

Twyford Sports Centre did inexpensive and very well led holiday courses and had a separate one for teens where they did a week of sports activities and had a day trip somewhere too. I think they've been taken over by the lot running the new Acton swimming pool etc so not sure if it's still happening but worth a look. Everyone active?

M Vincic ● 4577d

My son went to Twyford Sports centre last year and was the oldest there. They haven't done anything for a while though so maybe they aren't running them any longer.I can't leave my son at home alone, it's not safe and I don't want to risk the naughty teen behaviour of coming back to a wild house especially as I put so much effort into my home. Not that I have ever experienced this but there's a first time for everything.I will definitely check out that link! Thank you very much!

Tanya Santos ● 4577d

http://www.ealing.gov.uk/news/article/625/children_hop_with_egg-citment_this_easterThere is also something else for teens advertised on the LBE website front page - but unfortunately the link doesn't work.It is on the third of the moving Council adverts.  I've emailed the Webmaster but this evening it still isn't working.We also found the tennis at Chiswick House very good.http://www.willtowin.co.uk/chiswick/tennis-campThere is often something on here:  http://www.watermans.org.uk/I always found it worked better when there was a friend going as well.

Philippa Bond ● 4577d

They've now fixed that link of the LBE website and it takes you to:http://www.youngealing.co.uk/about/

Philippa Bond ● 4576d

During the summer 'Futureversity' run courses in various London boroughs which are very much aimed at the older children/young teenagers. My 11 year old did a computer animation one last summer - it was not all day, 3 hours I think. Some of them, in particular the sports ones, last all day. They are v heavily subsidised and as a consequence v affordable. Not a solution for Easter but maybe come summer... I second praise for Chiswick holiday courses although they are pricey. Ealing Cricket club have endless holiday courses if he would be into that and they definitely last a whole day and are full of (mainly boys) of all ages...

Rosie Blair ● 4575d

ONe further thought - Hillingdon Outdoor Activity Centre (HOAC) have lots of water based courses running for a whole day - rowing, kayaking etc which might be more appealing to teenagers. It is a drive down the A40 and so might not fit in with your work hours/travel .... I live in Northfields and it took me 20 mins to drive there in the summer

Rosie Blair ● 4575d

http://www.wembleysailingclub.co.uk/young_sailors.htmlI've been past the Welsh Harp lake recently and noticed a lot of sailing boats out.  It seems that there are some courses here in the holidays.If this is something that interests then there is alsohttp://www.queenmary.org.uk/Data/Sites/1/u18tp.pdf

Philippa Bond ● 4571d

Thank you everyone for your suggestionsHave had a look at all the sites and unfortunately I am still stuck. It is impossible to get my son enrolled into something and be at work by 9:00 and be able to collect him after I leave work which is at 18:00.This is making me so anxious. I just don't have enough holiday days to take off time in the mornings and afternoons for collections & drop offs and I don't want to jeapordise my job. I am so sorry to have a moan but I really just want / need to. I am a working mother who works a minimum of 45 hours a week. I don't have any bad habits. I look after my home. I spend all my free time at home or doing things with my son and husband. My weekends revolve around my family and I always try to do the right thing. I don't have other family other than a sister that works and is much younger and lives a very free spirited life - no chance of getting the help there. When looking for something for my son to do to keep him off the streets and in safe hands without affecting my job then I am looking at paying a lot of money for childcare - which realistically, right now I can't afford as we have just bought a new house. Lord knows that I would love to be a stay at home mum and take him out to museums and theme parks instead of number crunching all day (big yawn) but I can't.Perhaps I should quit my job and start a business looking after kids during the holidays from 8:00am - 18.30... problem solved!I always feel great after a little rant and a little more motivated to keep searching lol..

Tanya Santos ● 4570d

This is where it works well when you can share the taking and picking up with someone else.  Although teenagers by the time they are at secondary school are generally taking themselves and coming back by themselves. (No kissing goodbye!)If your child is enthusiastic about something then you'll find it less of a hassle ... or if going with a friend/classmate - as you can split the responsibility.  Or do some other trade-off. Does the school run anything?  Do you have an active PTA?  Ask fellow parents?  Somebody else may be in the same boat (pardon the pun) and you won't find out unless you start and keep asking!

Philippa Bond ● 4570d

Maire's reference "Take only pictures, leave only footprints" re Acton Park reminded me.

Philippa Bond ● 4569d

http://www.familiesonline.co.uk/LOCATIONS/London-West#.UyHGEPl_t7t

Philippa Bond ● 4569d

I can vouch for HOAC, fantastic courses and a great bunch of people... take a change of clothes and a packed lunch though. About 20 mins from acton along the A40

Jeremy Thorpe-Woods ● 4569d