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Original poster

To feel I wasted the 6 weeks holiday

60 replies

hi2416 · 31/08/2024 14:12

I work term time so I can get same holidays as mum kids so I can’t even use the excuse I was working as I wasn’t. I feel incredibly sad and upset with myself for wasting the holidays away. First 3 weeks we had lots of play dates abs catch ups with family then I got Sick, the kids got sick then DH got sick. I feel embarrassed what the kids will say when asked what they did. We didn’t even leave our city! I wish I hadn’t wasted so much time on play dates. I wish I had made some memories alone with the kids.

OP posts:
Glenthebattleostrich · 31/08/2024 14:43

My daughter told me yesterday that she's had the best holidays because it was a mix of chilled and a few lovely experiences. Her favorite days have been when we've crafted while watching a film. We have spent entire days sitting and reading. It's been brilliant!

Teaching our kids to stop and smell the roses is as important as having tons of experiences.

Original poster
hi2416 · 31/08/2024 14:42

I left everything that needed sorting out for this week and this is the week I feel the worst! I’m on Antiobiotics and feel so incredibly tired. My kids are in their devices. I’ve put a load of washing in the washing machine and cleaned the kitchen but I can’t breathe. I feel I need to lie down. I’m so annoyed I didn’t plan ahead.

OP posts:
VanityKase · 31/08/2024 14:40

I was feeling the same. Spent first 3 weeks inside as potty training and a series of illnesses. We watched so much tv way more than I ever would like to admit but the parent police haven’t been knocking yet! Tried to do lots of play dates after the illnesses but they’re sometimes more stressful than doing something by ourselves. I’m just proud we’ve done it me and my girl just the two of us from 7am to 6pm every week day! And that’s what she’ll remember - mummy was around and played with me. Can’t be undone now!

Mainoo72 · 31/08/2024 14:36

It’s a bit strange you didn’t even leave your city. I’d find that really claustrophobic but if you were all sick, it couldn’t be helped. Can you do a weekend beach trip over the next couple of weeks?

Puppupandaway · 31/08/2024 14:33

My friend took her kids for a very expensive trip to the zoo. What did her dc talk about afterwards??? The ducks. That you can see for free at the park.

I'm sure your kids will have a different view of the holidays. Don't be so hard on yourself.

Autumn1990 · 31/08/2024 14:28

If the kids have been happy then it’s fine. We’ve not done loads but when I’ve asked the kids what they want to do they’ve not suggested any big days out. And the favourite day was spent in the garden, my 7 year old said it was the best day ever.

ColonelRhubarbBikini · 31/08/2024 14:20

Kids are funny little beings and you can take them round the entire world and the one thing they’ll remember is the shitty one euro toy they bought in a newsagents.

I took my nieces and nephews to a big European city this summer and my littlest nephew could not have been less arsed about all the amazing things we did. He was however completely wowed by the flocks of pigeons flying in synch.

I’m sure your kids have had a lovely summer even if it has been more low key than you planned. They’ll be refreshed and ready for the new term.

Jjiillkkf · 31/08/2024 14:18

It sounds like you did make the most of the first couple of weeks and then you were all ill, that can't be helped. Sometimes it's good just to have time to rest and recharge and catch up with people you never manage to the rest of the time. I'm very skeptical about the whole "making memories" things. We make memories all the time, it's just a ploy to get us to spend money. If you feel that bad, book some time away in October

Flexibubble · 31/08/2024 14:16

I'm just happy we got through it, balancing work and time together is tricky in this long holiday! We didn't do much, me and DH had 2 weeks off each and then 2 weeks of holiday club, but DS is safe, loved and food on the table so I'm not going to feel guilty that we haven't done enough.

HerewegoagainSS · 31/08/2024 14:15

Can’t be helped now OP. There will be other holidays.
Sometimes ‘the more you have, the less you make the most of it’. You see this 6 week time span in front of you and you waste it and then bam, back to work. We’re all guilty of it. Plan some nice weekends while the weather holds.