Meeson Family Gimme a Break

If your parents drive you round the bend on holiday, put your foot down.

This is Gimme A Break, where you're in the driving seat.

So, let's start them engines.

Here, it's the kids who decide where to go and what to do.

Parents don't get a look in, especially with holiday rules.

Breaking the rules can only lead to one thing - trouble!

Today, I'm in Tyneside

and the lucky bunch who are about to be given a break are...

the Meeson family.

There's Alfie, ten, the prince of pogo.

Eight year-old Jesse, the gymnast.

Dad, the mad scientist.

And teacher, mum, the mistress of marking.

So, why do Alfie and Jesse deserve to be given a break?

One in ten times that we go to the Lake District,

we get to have fun.

The main reason we go is to do chores, chores, chores, chores,

chores, chores, chores, chores.

The cottage we have in the Lake District, they like going there,

-but when we go, we have to do a lot of jobs.

-And it's boring!

-We like them to be well-behaved...

-I do this when I get really excited.

-..and considerate of other people.

-I jump up and down, like this!

And they just tell us to "calm down and be quiet. Sshh!"

They're just never quite sure when to stop, really, that's the thing.

They wear pyjamas until really late in the day.

One time, they were in bed until like eleven.

They're so laid back and they can't be bothered to get up,

unless we've got a boring activity or something that they want to do.

When we're on holiday, I do like to have a bit of a lie-in.

Get out of bed - now!

Meeson family, as far as holidays are concerned, things must change.

-Am I right, boys?

-Yeah!

-Are you ready to be given a break?

-Yeah!

Mum and dad, are you ready to lose control?

-Go on then, yes.

-You're going to do it.

-Yes!

Now it's time to say the words that strike fear into parents' hearts

across the country. It is, The Parents' Promise.

Please read the words out loud, with hand on your heart, sincerely.

BOTH: We, the parents of Alfie and Jesse,

hereby hand over control of the next family break.

# Hallelujah! #

-We're in charge!

-You tell them, Jess!

-Do what we say.

Yeah, do as you say, mum and dad. How do you feel? No control.

-Very nervous.

-Nervous?

-Very nervous.

-Let's go. See you later.

While mum and dad get over the shock,

I need to get to grips with what sort of break the boys are after.

Tell me what you like to do.

I'm looking forward to getting up early

and doing more action-packed, exciting and adrenalin-packed things.

We went to Plessey Woods once.

-And built shelters.

-And built a shelter.

-Are you good at building stuff?

-Yeah, we love water.

Do you love water? What sort of stuff do you like doing with water?

Swimming in it, playing in it, splashing, diving.

How do you think mum will handle the water?

She just won't get her face wet.

-No?

-We're going to make her get her face wet,

-at least once on this holiday.

-OK. No more sleeping in?

-No more sleeping in.

-And maybe a bit more eating bugs.

'Er, these boys really do have ants in their pants.'

I've lined up two brilliant breaks.

First, there's some detective work that needs to be done,

starting with a bit of dressing up for break number one.

"Gimme A Break, dressing room."

# Robin Hood, Robin Hood... #

Maybe something to do with Robin Hood?

When I saw the arrow in the tree, I thought that it meant archery.

Could be, Jessie.

Hold up, where's Alfie off to? Get back! We haven't finished yet!

Look at that! You've got a bald head!

Charming! But what about the first clue, boys?

"Say what you see, but be careful not to bark up the wrong tree."

-A chair.

-Chair, wood, tree. Chair, wood, tree.

Maybe that's a place or somewhere where you need to stay.

-Chair, wood, forest!

-I think he's got it.

-They look like pinatas.

-I bet I'm stronger than you.

Let's see what's inside.

Cherries!

I'm going to have some.

-What's inside yours, Jesse?

-Letters.

-R. Cherries.

R. Cherries. They're ours.

-I ate a lot of cherries.

-It could be something to do with archery.

-Bingo!

-There's a clue.

-The last one was a skateboard with a helmet

and knee and elbow pads.

-And something to pull it along with.

-Oh! Maybe it's jet skiing.

Pull! Push! Pull!

Three, two, one!

Oh, dear(!)

Let's see if the boys do any better with the clues for break number two.

The setting should be a dead giveaway.

The pictures look really tropical.

They had a pirate on, which are from really sunny places,

so it might be a nice, sunny break, this one.

Say, cheese!

That's two more for the album. What will they make of the next clue?

"Want to wind mum up? Be sure to find a way on this break.

"If the breeze is strong enough, you'll catch a wave."

It might be surfing. They say, catch a wave!

# Surfing, across the USA. #

Nice moves, boys!

But not just surfing - windsurfing. Fan = wind, get it?

Final clue for break number two...

Fishing net!

-Look, there's a giant piranha!

-Nearly. It's a lobster, Alfie.

And we finally caught it.

-I think the activity is fishing.

-Some great guesses there.

Are the boys any closer to knowing what the break options are?

I want you to tell me what you think break number one could be.

Well, I think that it's doing a bit of archery.

-Yeah, what did you have to dress up as?

-I was Robin Hood.

-Alfie was Friar Tuck.

-I can tell you that the first holiday option is

A Robin Hood Experience in Sherwood Forest.

-Whoa, that is cool!

-Shall we have a look?

-Yeah.

There's no time for mum and dad to lounge around in their PJs here.

You'll be practising your aim, with archery,

swinging from the trees,

then back down to earth when you camp out in a forest shelter

that you build yourselves.

Mum will be getting her face wet, too,

when she's catapulted across the lake, with just a knee board

between her and a soaking. What do you think of break one?

Mind blowing. Absolutely amazing!

-I personally think it ticks every one of your boxes.

-Every one.

Shall I book it now, or wait?

-I want to see break number two.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah.

What did you think break number two was?

Well, we definitely think it's somewhere sunny and beachy.

Break number two is a seaside holiday in the Isle of Wight.

-Oh, I should have known that!

-You should have known that!

-Shall we have a little look?

-Yeah.

Full steam ahead then for this fun-packed break on the coast.

You'll be riding the waves, windsurfing, before hunting the seas

for creatures of the deep, with a lobster safari.

On dry land, you'll be scouring the beach for dinosaur fossils,

then making life-size sculptures of your own out of sand.

So, guys, what did you make of break number two?

-It looks amazing.

-I think it's level pegging. They're both fantastic.

-We have a hard decision.

-I'll hang around.

Give me a shout when you've made your minds up.

Something tells me these boys are really torn.

-It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

-They both are.

-I think break number one offers more.

-Break number two offers more.

What's your point?

Tell me what your point is and see if you can sell it to me?

-Come on, fellas. My arms are aching here.

-It ticks all the boxes for me.

-I think the other one ticks more.

-OK, enough of this monkey business.

-Joe!

It's make your mind up time.

-Have you come to a decision?

-Yes.

-Are you both still friends?

-Yes.

-Have you gone for break number one or break number two?

-Number one!

-Break number one! The Robin Hood Adventure Holiday!

-Yeah.

I'm going to be popping up later on in your break.

There's a chance for you to win the final souvenir.

If you answer the question incorrectly,

mum and dad are going to get it. That's no good, is it?

-No!

-Shall I book it?

-Yeah!

So, the boys went for break number one,

the Robin Hood Experience in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire.

-But, will mum's screaming fall on deaf ears?

-Argh!

Argh!

And will Alfie and Jesse still be on target

when it comes to winning the final treat?

With less than 24 hours to go before the Meesons get going,

it's time for Alfie and Jesse to get packing.

Let's get the party started!

I think Alfie and Jesse will be very kind to us.

I'm sure they wouldn't pack anything we didn't want to wear.

-Mum would not like it.

-She'd hate it.

Should we put it in?

Yep. You got a yes from me.

It's a yes from me!

I treated myself to some new knickers

and I just wanted to make sure that they'd be packed.

Sorry, Mum, looks like Jesse thought you said "wear".

Bullseye!

-We need to tie them in knots.

-Oh, yeah!

There's two shirts of Stephen's that are fairly identical.

They're pink, orange, green and yellow tie-dye.

He's never worn them!

I would be walking a few paces behind Stephen

if he was wearing those shirts.

We have to pack these.

-If they packed both of them, we could wear one each.

-Ha-ha!

Yes! High five!

It's the morning of the break and the boys waste no time

showing everyone who's in charge.

Wait for me!

In the taxi,

they get to grips with the Gimme A Break fam cam.

Know where you're going, Mum?

-No, I've got no idea.

-The railway station or the bus station?

The waiting is almost over, because while you take a rest

before the break begins, the boys take over the airwaves.

BOTH: Attention, Mr and Mrs Meeson! Please make your way to the platform

-for a very special message.

-Ha-ha-ha-ha!

"Robin Hood Experience, Nottinghamshire

It's going to be fantastic.

And there's no water! So I won't get my face wet!

That's what you think!

And as this break gets it's starting whistle,

even Dad's having his doubts.

Still not too sure what we're letting ourselves in for.

There's no turning back now.

They're going to be horrified.

-We can make Mum and Dad do whatever we like.

-That's the spirit!

And after almost two hours on the train and a short car ride,

the Meesons arrive at the heart of Sherwood Forest.

As well as being home to hundreds and thousands of trees,

this part of the Midlands is jam-packed

with adventure activities galore.

But before they can check out what's on offer, they need to check in.

Wow!

And decide on who's sleeping where.

-This is YOUR bedroom, Mum and Dad.

-Yeah, this is YOUR bedroom.

Sure you wouldn't rather this one?

No, Mum, the boys have spoken.

And no time to kick back - you need to unpack!

We can while away the evenings.

HE PLAYS HARMONICA (BADLY!)

I've got a selection of ties.

Is there a reason why you knotted them?

Because we felt like it.

Oh, no! Look what I've found!

My worst nightmare's come true! It's the shirt!

The tie-dye shirt with the gold swirls.

Oh, at least there's only one.

No!

We can match!

A hairbrush! Yay! I can brush my hair!

-Did you put a hair dryer in?

-No.

It's a week without a hair dryer, but at least I got the hair brush.

Here's one!

Oh, the boys have decided to remove it.

Before they ruffle more feathers with tomorrow's activities,

I need to help them lay down the law, with the holiday rules.

Hello, Meesons! How are you settling in?

Brilliantly!

Mum and Dad, sitting comfortably?

OK, the boys are fed up with you both lazing around

in your pyjamas when you could be out doing fun stuff.

Rule number one is you must be up and in the shower

within five minutes of waking up.

Stop watches at the ready, guys.

MUSIC: "STAYIN' ALIVE" by The Bee Gees.

Dad, you've been known to embarrass the boys with your dancing displays.

-I don't think so!

-And me. And me.

But when Alfie and Jesse are energetic...

-BOYS SCREAM

-..you tell them to shush!

So there will be none of that on this break.

Rule number two - there is no shushing allowed.

Finally, the boys shouldn't be expected to fetch and carry for you

while they're on holiday.

So, rule number three is, you're not allowed to ask the boys

to do something that you can do yourself.

But be warned, Mum and Dad, there will be consequences.

The boys are going to be putting evil back into medieval!

And you'll be locked up in stocks

and have wet sponges chucked at your faces!

Mwah-ha-ha-ha!

I'll be back later on in the break

to give you the chance to win a fabulous final treat.

A shush may escape my lips.

Whether it's caught by them is another matter.

I think I nearly did a rule break just a second ago when I said,

"Oh, just pass me that", and I was thinking,

"No, I'll get it, it's fine".

The next morning, Alfie decides to keep a beady eye on Mum and Dad

for any potential rule breaks.

-Are you awake?

-I am now.

You're being timed...

Five minutes to get up, or else!

After breakfast, the boys lead the way to the first activity.

What we're doing today is... archery!

Oh, that should be fun.

More fun than Dad's tie, I hope. And here's instructor Simon

to point everyone in the right direction.

Morning, guys.

Morning.

-Do you know what that is?

-A bow.

-A bow. Do you know what that is?

-Arrow.

Do you know what these are called?

There's three names with the letter F.

-Try and think of...

-Feathers.

-Feathers is one.

-Is it the flyers?

Eh, sort of flights, like darts have. And the last one is...

-Faeroplanes.

-Faeroplanes?

Nice try, but the word is fletchings.

Let's see if you can make this "faeroplane" fly

in some friendly competition, boys against parents.

Now all the way back, pull back. Right, back, back, back. Let go!

Wow! Yeah, good shot! Let it go.

High five! Brilliant!

Time for your teammate to give it a shot.

Wow, that was brilliant.

-Now, the opposition.

-Going to get the gold.

Well, she's confident, I'll give her that.

Wow.

Let go.

-Whoa!

-Fantastic!

Miss, Dad, miss!

Well, I think I'm going to do my best.

Whoa! It's in the white. It hit the target.

Not sure that's going to be good enough to beat the boys, Mum.

Oh, improving. Very good! Want a hug?

So, at the end of the competition, Simon says the boys have won.

Yeah!

I think Dad let you down there, Mum.

This tie has obviously hindered me. Maybe I won't wear it.

I think I've just proved how fantastic I am.

No time to get comfy, though.

-Did you enjoy sleeping in your beds last night?

-Yeah.

Well, get over it, cos tonight we're going to be building shelters

and camping out in them.

-So we're not going back to where we were staying?

-Nope.

Don't worry! The guys have packed everything you need

and you'll be in the capable hands of Karina,

-the Sherwood Forest ranger.

-Hello!

-Welcome to the forest.

The first thing I want to show you is our toilet.

What's in that bin?

Well, this is how it works.

It doesn't use water, so in here is saw dust,

which helps everything rot down,

-so you use the loo and put some of that on top.

-OK.

-OK?

-But it doesn't lock.

-I know. You'll have to whistle.

So that's number ones and number twos taken care of.

Time for number three -

getting these shelters ready to sleep in.

Don't think it's very waterproof just yet,

so we need to add more sticks up on the side.

OK. Mum and Dad, you start building yours

while we go and get some sticks. OK?

You tell them, Jesse!

OK, boys, see what you can find.

-Hi, Mum! Hi, Dad!

-Oh, hello!

Sounds like this activity's all about team work. Go, Meesons, go!

But what does the expert think?

-It's looking good, team.

-Thanks.

The boys use brick and branches to make the roof and floor

as waterproof as possible.

How are they enjoying the forest experience?

So far I've really loved it.

And sleeping in it is just a dream come true.

And are Mum and Dad as enthusiastic?

I'm not looking forward to insects crawling through everything.

Sorry, Dad, the boys did ask for more bugs on this break.

So, as night falls on Sherwood Forest,

Alfie and Jesse snuggle down for a night under the stars.

Goodnight, fam cam.

The next morning, it's rise and... er, shine.

# Raindrops keep falling on my head... #

Well, not sunshine, that's for sure.

As the family tuck into a hearty breakfast around the camp-fire,

has the rain dampened their spirits?

We got a bit wet, but it doesn't really matter,

because I had a nice night and it was brilliant.

Phew! And Dad?

He might look like a fool in the jester's hat

that the boys packed for him, but does he feel like one?

It's one of the things I would've loved to have done

-when I was little.

-No.

Time to dry off now, because waiting at the Galleries of Justice

is the Sheriff of Nottingham himself.

He wants to put Mum and Dad on trial for all those boring holidays.

Alfie, Jesse, what punishment do you think they deserve?

-To go down to the dungeon!

-Yeah!

So be it.

For crimes against holidays, I order you to remain

in the cells until you repent.

This is a travesty of justice!

Now you know how we feel!

After some time to think about what they've done,

it's back to the forest for dinner...

with a difference.

Alfie and Jesse are the kings of this medieval feast.

We have chicken and roast pork,

or tomato and basil pasta with garlic bread.

And we picked that cos that's what you make us have at restaurants.

Well, I hope that you're kind to your mum

-and you pick things that you know...

-And Dad!

THEY CHUCKLE

I've abandoned you!

Is that cos he's rubbish at archery?

-And at the diablo!

-Sssh. OK.

Hang on, that sounded like a shush to me.

Shhhhh.

Rule break!

You are going to be locked in stocks

and have wet sponges thrown at your face.

And don't say you weren't warned.

After a bit of conferring from the boys, it's time to order.

Dad, you're going to have tomato and basil pasta, please.

You've decided not to be kind.

Mum, I've decided to give you the choice between chicken

and roast pork with wholemeal flatbread, or seafood pie.

Thank you, Alfie, that's really lovely of you.

I'm glad you appreciate me.

So, the boys were kind to Mum, but not to Dad.

I felt that mine wasn't what I would've chosen,

but it was very tasty.

And what will the boys think of this profiterole mountain?

Woah! Wow!

Scoop, scoop!

It's amazing!

I think he said, "It's amazing!".

This will live in my dreams forever.

Oh, Jess, no.

This is great!

-It's day three...

-Call me Jesse the dragon.

..And after breakfast the little monsters are given another

chance to show Mum and Dad who's in the driving seat.

They've got to decide how to get to the first activity of the day.

Pedal or horse power?

You decide how to get to your first activity.

So, will Alfie and Jesse sit back, relax,

and let the horse and carriage do all the work,

or ride like the wind on these cool mountain bikes?

The decision is theirs.

-I want horse power!

-I think horse power's best.

Horse and carriage it is, then.

100 miles an hour!

After a few more strides from the horse,

and sound effects from Jesse...

Clop, clop, clop, clip-clop.

..The Meesons arrive at the next activity,

just in time for the boys to get Dad dressed for the occasion.

Oh, tights, my favourite.

THE BOYS LAUGH

Mmm, green is so your colour.

All right, Mum.

Let's see if you think sliding down the zip-wire is as funny.

Don't look down.

This is so scary!

It's time to turn on the scream-o-meter, I think.

You can do it!

I think those green tights are actually helping.

Run, run, run, Jesse.

Hang on, I thought Dad was the dancer of this family?

Oh, that was amazing!

Can I cry now?!

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

No, it's just Dad playing to the crowd again.

ALL: I'd give this activity a thumbs-up!

The zip-wire might have got the Meesons' seal of approval,

but there's one last surprise for Mum.

-Knee-boarding!

-Knee-boarding?!

What's knee-boarding?!

Think water-skiing, but on your knees!

So, you will be getting your face wet on this break, after all.

-Come on, Alf!

-And the boys will test the water for you first.

They're good like that.

-Oh, he's doing really well.

-He is.

Well done, Alf!

That was really scary, but really fun, too!

It's Jesse's turn.

-Off you go.

-Hold tight, Jesse!

Well done!

-You did really well!

-That's amazing!

I bet Dad'll be rubbish.

Thanks for that, Alfie, for that vote of confidence.

Well, he can't be any worse than he was at archery, can he?

Well done! Keep going!

All right, Dad, no-one likes a show-off.

You can do this!

Three, two, one!

I did come off it.

Can she do any better the second time round?

Well, no.

I think I've shown the boys that if you have a go

then at least you had a bit of fun, and it turns out good in the end.

Mum was absolutely pants.

But at least she got her face wet, that's the main thing.

I would rate knee-boarding nine-and-three-quarters out of ten.

Right, that's Mum sorted for a soaking. It's Dad's turn next.

You're in stocks because you broke a rule.

So we're going to throw wet sponges at your face!

Say you want it, you want it!

You're going to get it!

It's the last day of the break,

and there's only one thing left to do - dish out the final treat.

This one-off statue of Robin Hood himself

has been handmade for the Meesons using oak from Sherwood Forest.

Hello, boys. I'm going to be asking you three questions.

All you have to do is answer two correctly, otherwise

Mum and Dad are going to sneak off with your treat.

-We don't want that, do we?

-No.

Question one, which activity did Mum find most challenging?

She was rubbish at the knee-boarding.

But the zip-wire, she was having a hard time getting off.

I think the zip-wire as well.

We're going with A, zip-wire.

Let's see if you're right.

The activity that I found most challenging was the zip-wire.

Yes!

Well done, guys. Get the next question right

and the Robin Hood statue is yours. OK, question number two,

at what point did Dad feel most embarrassed on this break?

I don't think he was that embarrassed in the tights

cos he did his Dad dance, and he wasn't that embarrassed.

But with the archery, Mum was so good,

he was so embarrassed Mummy was really good and he was pants.

-Shall we go with A?

-Yeah, let's go with A.

Our answer is A, archery.

I hope you're right.

I felt most embarrassed with my performance in the archery.

Yes!

It feels really good to have won the treat, cos it ends a perfect week.

I was particularly proud with Mum doing some of the things

usually she'd choose not to do.

We've done a lot of activities, and I've loved them all.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd