SCHOOL HOLIDAYS - AAAAAAGH

[kaz33]

My boys broke up on Wednesday and they have gone from being quite chilled (well for them they are quite hyperactive) to the kids from HELL.

My 5 year old refuses to eat meals but wanders around saying I am hungry, whining and breaking into screams everytime his big brother touches him.

Whilst my 7 year old spends every minute winding his brother up.

And they spend the entire time in a tangle in the garden alternating between laughing and crying. Just spent an hour in the garden with them and I feel like I have been dragged through a hedge backwards.
Now they are infront of the tele and I am unwinding ready for the next onslaught.

Don't know whether to come down really hard on the violence, ie; naughty step or just to let them get it out of their system and my normal positive re-inforcement strategy??
Any thoughts.

[potxola]

Hi,
Maybe it is better to let them get it out of their system and try not to react in front of them. You can look forward to their bed time!

[Katisha]

Sympathies. Rather similar situation here. I'm oping they find their own holiday rhythm soon and stop expecting to be entertained and given something to eat every 10 mins.
It is getting better actually.
Think I might have a G&T...

[Katisha]

ANd I don't mena gifted and talented...

[mumeeee]

I used to love school holidays and doing stuff with my children. Now they are all over 16 they all want to do their own thing and I miss doing all those family things.

[Elephantjuice]

I always see this pattern with my dcs (2 eldest also 5 and 7) at the start of the hols. Usually it gets better. I think it takes them a while to get used to not having so much routine. Hopefully it will be the same for you. They need to get used to playing together. Sometimes I find giving them an idea then leaving them to get on with it works (at least for a bit anyway). Today we put the garden chairs int rows to make a plane. They took out teddies etc for passengers. Kept them going for a while anyway. Then the chairs were being knocked over when the plane crashed, but at least they were leaving me alone.

I also find that keeping some routine helps, even if it's different one from normal. e.g. in the morning we'll pop to the shop to get a, b, and c, after lunch you can watch a dvd then we'll go to the park. I think this may be more for my sanity than their benefit, but hey.

[slim22]

only 6 posts?thought there'd be hundreds on this thread!

sort of wish i had 2 kids same age so they could wind each other up instead of DS being on my back 24/7

he's 4 and the "phrase du jour" is oh but muuuuuuuuuum, it's sooooooooo boring and then whinge whinge whinge

That's despite daily playdates, play with neighbours, taekwondo, swimming etc....

[kaz33]

Well two days later it is calmng down a bit, DS1 is starting to return to normality but DS2 is still the child from HELL.

I am pushing art and lego with mummy but it only lasts about ten minutes before they are bored again..

[candyfluff]

i have 2 school age kids ages 10 and 7 and i totally know what you mean they spend all their time BORED and want to be constantly entertained which is very hard as i also have a 2 yr old. how on earth will i get through 6 weeks alive : (