summer holidays

[scarlett252]

I amazed at the negativity on this site with parents. I was a single mum with two small children a boy and a girl and i never found the summer holidays a chore. there is so much to do that is free... if you live in cheshire please contact me and i'll let you know whats available. goodness embrace your children, they are small for such a short time and i had virtually no money to provide for them but we always found something to do.
Linda

[NotEnoughTime]

Hi Linda

I take my hat off to you if you "never found the holidays a chore" (obviously I don't know how long it has been since your children were young) perhaps you are looking back at that time with rose tinted spectacles?

I (mostly!) enjoy the holidays but I'm not ashamed to admit that sometimes I find them a chore. I have two DC (with a bigger than usual age gap) and suffer from depression and low self esteem so I find it hard to enjoy anything at times.

You are/were very lucky to live in an area where children's activities are cheap or free. Believe you me, there is not much around where I live that is cheap or free-I have checked.

Everyone is different-I'm not a single Mum, I do have a DH (who works long hours-although I'm in no way comparing myself to a single Mum) My own Mum is no longer alive and my family and in-laws live very far away so I do feel very lonely and isolated at times. I do have friends but naturally they want to spend time with their own families.

The crap weather also doesn't help.

I'm sure you are trying to be helpful but please realise that not everyone is the same as you so will not find it as easy as you say you did. I feel bad enough that I'm not an all singing, all dancing Mum all the time but I'm just trying to do the best that I can do in the circumstances that I'm in.

[YeOldeTrout]

golly gee lovely bumpkins for you

[bizmum1]

Linda, your post makes you sound smug as anything.

When you are trying to run a business as well as entertain two kids for almost eight weeks, it does get a bit much. Just because they 'are small for such a short time' doesn't mean I want to spent every minute with them.

Perhaps you didn't have the pressures that some mumsnetters have - I've no idea. The point is, everyone is different and women should not be made to feel guilty if they are looking forward to September.

I'm enjoying the holidays to an extent but they are too long and when September comes, I will be very happy to get my routine back. Does that mean I love them any less - no it does not. I would die for my kids but some parents (I would say most) are better parents for having a bit of time away from their offspring.

[notascooby007]

Good for you!!

[NickiFury]

Cheers Linda.

[HarrietSchulenberg]

Yes, Linda, but I bet you need a car, or pay for transport, to get to all these lovely free activities as they're not all going to be on your front doorstep, are they?

And it's much easier to entertain children when they're small (what is that? Less than 4ft or under 7 yrs old?).

Try entertaining a 14 yr old, a 12 yr old and an 8 yr old, the two eldest of which have grown up bitterly resenting our years of cheap activities and would dearly love a day at Alton Towers with money for burgers and tat.

So, come on then, what are these free activities in Cheshire? I'm just over the border in N Shropshire but would love to find something free that isn't pond dipping, picnicking, nature trailing or involving face paint.

[tinkytot]

Well said scarlett252

[G1veMeStrength]

Lol @ pond dipping. Yes and 'searches' - my DC now roll their eyes when I find the bit of a4 paper at an attraction with things to spot!

[HarrietSchulenberg]

There is a free gnome trail round here somewhere. You'd love it G1veme, I gather there's a sheet to tick of the gnomes as you find them .

Given ds3's previous history with garden gnomes (he once spent a happy afternoon very quietly smashing every single one of the 7 dwarves that used to grace the undergrowth our garden), I suspect he isn't quite their target audience.

[NewLife4Me]

Scarlet

Me too, never had a problem and was sad when they went back.
I have no transport, very low wage so nothing really for activities.
Mine used to just love playing in park, street, friends house, 50p swim with lifestyle card.
Taking a picnic to park or any green space they could find.
I am a sahm though and very inventive/imaginative with ideas.
They had good imaginations too and looked after themselves pretty much.
I feel very sorry for those who can't cope for various reasons.

[G1veMeStrength]

I'm going to set up a Gnome Slaughtering Trail. Look out for the groupon deal. Optional upgrade for afternoon tea with all the cake you can punch at the end.

[UrethraFranklin1]

Ah bless. A precious moments bleater.