Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To hate school holidays

202 replies

ghostface99 · 10/04/2025 23:49

It’s just so draining.

Dh works full time and needs reminding it’s actually the holidays. Wouldn’t think to take time off unless prompted. Certainly hasn’t got the gumption to come up with any ideas for activities or days out. Will participate if I arrange but never suggests anything himself.

Eldest is almost 13 which is a tricky age because he’s too old for the kid friendly activities we used to do but also isn’t overly bothered about making his own plans with friends either. Left to his own devices he’d just sit on a screen for two weeks which isn’t ideal.

Youngest is 3 so also dealing with toddler tantrums, tiredness and challenging behaviour there.

There are no breaks. I’m constantly thinking of ways to keep both kids entertained and fed. I would love to just have a walk by myself but there’s no opportunity except for when they’re in bed by which time I just want to fall on the sofa and rot.

Add to this the doom scrolling of everyone else on holiday or expensive days out and I just feel shit. I would rather be at work. And then I feel guilty for feeling like that too.

It’s just endless pressure to the point where I feel quite anxious and stressed. I know people will say just let them chill at home. Do baking. Be in the garden. Let them make their own fun but it’s not like that. We all just sit in different rooms, usually on a screen of some kind.

I wish we could go away but we can’t afford it. I’m just sick of everything being on me and feeling like I’m failing all the time.

OP posts:
PassOnThat · 11/04/2025 05:10

I read something online which I'm finding helpful in my everyday life which is that, when you're overwhelmed with things to do, stop making lists and either decide you're going to do things or not. So if you're going to let your older one sit on screens all day, do it and feel no guilt about it. He'll be back at school in a couple of weeks anyway.

Otherwise, I'd put the older one to work to some degree. Give him jobs and take him shopping in the morning to help choose meals. Tell him he can choose some stuff at the supermarket and he's in charge of dinner that evening. If the older one is not arranging anything for himself, I'd also just take him along on trips out for the younger one but try to choose stuff that there's a chance he'd enjoy too - so a museum with a little kid's bit but also that he can explore by himself, a park with a skate park or BMX track, an adventure playground that's good for older kids as well.

Backagainformorepunishment · 11/04/2025 04:25

I must say I don't understand why your children are all on screens if you don't keep them " entertained". Why on earth would a 3 year old be on a screen?
Don't they have toys and books? construction toys? Painting and colouring stuff? Don't they do imaginative play?