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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

I'm so fed up with the summer holidays

25 replies

EternalPie · 11/08/2011 21:19

I admire those of you that can look forward to a day in the park or get out the pain and have a crafts day etc but I just can't do that stuff. I'm bored to death. Because one job finished in June and my next one starts in September I'm "lucky" enough to have the entire summer holidays off but my god I am so bloody bored and fed up. We don't have the money to go out every day but I make sure we go out once a week but still I'm finding it all so mind numbing. Kids films at the cinema that try too hard to be funny, a day at the aquarium which we've seen a zillion times before, sitting in Grandmas house all day discussing stuff we've discussed a zillion times before, the kids saying they're bored CONSTANTLY

can we go to mcdonalds? can we go and see Transformers/poppers penguins/smurfs/planet of the apes/ can we go to a beach? can we go to the farm (again) -

I sound like a miserable cow but I am finding this SO difficult. I'm actually dreading tomorow because I have nothing planned and no money and I honestly don't know how I'll cope with another day of "whats on telly?"

I probably am being unreasonable but please, there must be others out there who find it all so draining?

OP posts:

southeastastra · 11/08/2011 21:21

i don't as i work mainly school holidays, would recommend it

Original poster

EternalPie · 11/08/2011 21:22

I'll be making sure of it for next year! I'll be the first to volunteer! :D

OP posts:

JustFiveMinutesHAHAHA · 11/08/2011 21:23

Can you pay a local teenager to come and play with them while you MN get some jobs done?

I don't understand your POV as I love the holidays, but I appreciate not everyone does - so I'd say 'outsource' where you can :) If you can't afford a local teenager - why not swap with a friend - it's no harder to have 4 than two (often easier as they amuse themselves) and you get a day off in return! Win/Win!

MotherOfSuburbia · 11/08/2011 21:23

Whereabouts are you and how old are the kids? Someone local might be able to help with free ideas.

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 11/08/2011 21:26

This too will come to pass, is all I can say! Plus can you meet up with another likeminded Mother with kids?

talkingnonsense · 11/08/2011 21:32

How old are your dcs? Suspect you need to find a friend to hang out with while the kids play at home/ in the park/ at the beach/ soft play. We spend all ours summers circling round these type of things with different groups of friends, plus a few playdates where the other mum gets time out, and some cheapish organised activities ( eg local athletics group did days fo 6-14 yr olds £10 for 10 till 3, fab ). Takes organisation, but so worth it.

Saski · 11/08/2011 21:42

I totally agree. It's really hard work. I find it really upsetting that my kids seem happy only when I've agreed to take them to Westfield to spend their pocket money or we're planning to go to the cinema - they're completely unable to find amusement in anything simple (apart from bike rides... must admit they love bike rides). I also find that I invite lots of kids over to our house and it's a slim minority that reciprocate.

melika · 11/08/2011 21:46

I agree, OP, one child at work now and the other gets up late and goes on the PC, I feel really bored.

pointythings · 11/08/2011 21:52

I have so far only had one summer off with the kids (was made redundant like the OP) and it was blooming marvellous - had neve had that before. But then I got a public sector redundancy payout, and my DCs were young enough to think that going swimming, going to the playground, doing crafts adn baking etc. were marvellous.

I'm also immune to 'I'm bored' - I tell them that learning to deal with boredom is a skill that will serve them well when they grow up and then don't respond any further.

These days working f/t again I reasure the leave I have over the summer holidays.

yousankmybattleship · 11/08/2011 21:56

What a sad thread! I've got no money either but am loving spending time with my children. We go for walks, go to the park or the playground, bake cakes, go to the library, put the sprinkler on in the garden and get soaked etc etc etc. If you put the effort in, you'll get the results. If you mope around wishing it was over of course you'll be fed up!

AngryFeet · 11/08/2011 22:06

I used to feel like this but for the last two years I try to plan something for every day of the hols - excluding weekends as dh is around so it is easier. Meet up with friends, camping for a few days with mil, week away with dh, my parents have them for a long weekend, sleepovers with friends (I go to and drink wine with my friend), farm, zoo etc etc. I don't get much of the bored thing with my two though. They get on very well so entertain each other.

MilaMae · 11/08/2011 22:10

I don't have a lot to spend and don't have the car every day.None of us have been bored though.There is masses to do that's free.

We do:-
the kids am cinema once a week(£5 for all 4 of us)
the circus library challenge so visit the library once a week to change books(some have free craft events)
pond dipping(down load charts)
park(leaf identification charts online)
beach
scooters to PO/ sweetshop
bike rides
toys they never have time to play with
I get them to look through books online for craft stuff they want to make butleave them to make it
bit of school work
board games
reading
water pistol fights
Primary Times lists a lot of free events which we do
food shopping

One thing I find that helps is no tv until I make tea.I find the minute they've had screentime they give up on entertaining themselves.

I shoo away a lot.

Now having said all that although I'm great with finding free stuff/staving off boredom the bloody bickering drives me bonkers!!!!!!!

aquos · 11/08/2011 22:15

Yep. My two have had 4 weeks off now. We've done the family holiday, they've done four days of multi activity club. They've done pj and tv days. They've spent time with granny doing granny stuff. They've played out with friends for hours and hours.

The money is drying up, my enthusiasm and motivation is drying up, their tolerance for each other has dried up. They are ready to go back to school. But there's still 3 weeks left!! EEK!

curlyredhair · 11/08/2011 22:20

I know how you feel. Today we had a veggie day, not doing much, just chilling. The children were ready to kill each other by 3pm, they were so bored. Luckily I'm back at work next week so they're at camp. Not a moment too soon!

AuntiePickleBottom · 11/08/2011 22:34

looking forward to having some time off work, to start to enjoy the summer hoilday

melika · 12/08/2011 08:46

I think it depends how old they are. The older they get they will refuse to go anywhere with you without a fight, it's not worth the hassle.

I used to go on coach trips, parks, cinema, theme parks blah, blah, but mine are 16 and a stroppy 12 yr old.

Bonsoir · 12/08/2011 08:50

Try to fix some goals for the summer holidays. We're going on two family holidays, one a swimming-based one and the other a cycling-based one, so we've worked on both those skills beforehand to get the most out of the holiday.

cazzybabs · 12/08/2011 08:59

If the kids are bored get them to write list of things they could actually do and do one a day. I am crap at arts and crafts but if I do one thing a day with my kids it makes the day go so much faster. There are all kinds of great blogs with good ideas.
I am also getting the girls to cook one meal a week.
(Disclamer: I love the holidays and having all my kids)
Also can you see if what things are on in your local area - we have been pond dipping, minibeast hunting, things on at the museum - all for about £1 a child)

BeauFauxQuo · 12/08/2011 09:07

I find it very draining too! I am a teacher so I go from part time working during term time to full time "mumming" in the holidays.

I find it hard not getting any time to myself and my two are quite full on dc's - very bositerous and energetic 3yo and 5yo!

I do appreciate the time with them and I do love doing activities and playing with them etc but when they are small it is bloody hard work and can be quite boring. I have to admit that sometimes I feel like I am clockwatching until bedtime
I somehow always fail to co-ordinate our holidays with friends holidays, so we always spend the majority of the summer with no friends around as they go away at different times so it can be quite lonely as well (dh is a workaholic so normally leaves in the morning before dc's are awake and comes home after they are in bed - basically no help at all)

I fully sympathise and empathise, EternalPie, all I can say is that this summer is easier than last year when they were 2yo and 4yo and hopefully next year will be that little bit easier too!

Soups · 12/08/2011 09:14

curlyredhair

"Today we had a veggie day, not doing much, just chilling. The children were ready to kill each other by 3pm"

That's what a few hours without meat does to them?? Will the winning, surviving, child get to start up the BBQ?

msbuggywinkle · 12/08/2011 09:17

We Home Ed, but I do find the holidays really difficult. DD1 is not good with crowds so a lot of the places we like to go to often are too stressful during the holidays. And it keeps pouring down. And a lot of or friends spend the whole holiday visiting family in different places so we don't have as many people to go and visit!

ZZZenAgain · 12/08/2011 09:19

How old are your dc EternalPie?

Chandon · 12/08/2011 09:46

you are in good company.

MN would not exist without bored people.

Despite what some claim, we are all on here meddling in other people's lives as we're bored.

Take them to a park with a picnic (can be simple:sandwiches, crisps, bottle of squash), a ball and a frisbee. Newspaper for you. If pos meet up with a friend there and a thermos of tea! That's what my good days out (at low cost) are like. Blackberry picking option too. But you have to get out of the house.

Doowrah · 12/08/2011 19:30

First three weeks flown by effortlessly but am starting to worry about the next three weeks thank God my Ds 9 plays out with his friends alot but am wondering if this will wear thin or just keep going...I pray it does, I feel for you on the boredom front and have been looking at my son's guitar wondering if I should teach myself it ? Good luck..

GrownUpNow · 12/08/2011 19:34

I am struggling with the summer holidays, been ill for a while and feeling so tired. Just want to stay at home and the kids are of course doing their nuts staring at the same four walls, despite me trying to entertain them.

I could do with a holiday from the holidays and cannot wait for the term to start. I had so many plans too, going all over the place, and now I'm not getting anywhere. Stupid holidays.

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