To say I’m not looking forward to the two weeks off over Christmas because …

First time ever in my life, I was offered the two weeks off last year - NEVER AGAIN

This year I can finish Friday, but I have already said I will be in on the Monday and Tuesday for sure and I may come in one day the week after

I dont have children

But to be off work all that time and nothing planned? Along with DH ? nope I was stir crazy

I love DH but then he always has a project on the go in the garage and whilst we manage 2 days during the week and the weekends - two whole weeks just fried my brains

I loved having mine off when they were younger. Lots of days out, playing games, watching Christmas movies and no school runs. Now they're adults and late teen and it's a very boring time of the year for me. The only excitement is my grand child, but her mam does most of the days out and fun things

I'm the same I have 2 with autism none like going out when it's cold . I am looking forward to not doing the school run for a bit though not fun in the cold .

Sympathies. Are they old enough for play schemes? I’ve booked DS in on the paid places of the council run one (they do free places for FSM) it’s only 3 hours but he’ll enjoy it and I need a break.

TBH I am so fed up of other people's children I will happily veg with mine. Even if that does mean watching Zog rather than my preferred programs. I am just looking forward to not telling children to sit down and listen.

Also a teacher and having to squish the end of an English unit into the last week 😢

The Christmas holiday is the hardest I find of the year. It’s hard to spend all day outside doing the activities we do in better weather. We live in a very seasonal area so most things are closed between end of November and beginning of March. Even the local soft play closes for a break between Christmas and new year
The run up the Christmas really hypes it and there’s a lot of pressure on staff in schools before Christmas with concert/plays/trip to panto/ school Christmas fair etc.
I usually dread this holiday. I have got one with Sen as well

Dunkirk spirit what what 🙄🤣

It’s really sad you feel that way. Im sure they don’t! Can you find some joy in seeing them enjoy themselves?

I can’t really identify as I’m literally counting down the hours to finishing work on Friday for 2 glorious weeks

I’m looking forward to the break from other people’s kids! If mine get on my nerves there is gin!

The last time I had 2 weeks off at Christmas was 1996 - my final year in university.

For that reason alone you ABVU.

Is it just me that is total opposite.. l cherished every school holiday with both mine.. then looked forward to the Grandkids school holidays .. so l could spend more time with them. They are not little for long. Don't regret it... plan ahead .. activities.. days out.
No Internet when mine were little.

Op, is it because they fight so much?
I used to find that absolutely exhausting.

Because it’s bloody hard work and people need to vent sometimes. Better than venting to the kids isn’t it.
Christmas season is baileys season op, I find that helps!

Applauding this matter of fact, no judgement honesty.

Honestly OP, why have kids - only to whine and rant endlessly

same !! We r skint and look to be very skint between Xmas and new year. My 2 kids fight constantly and I will be needing to entertain them myself most days myself while doing all the chores and dealing with DH who is a misery when money is tight. Not to worry tho il get to go to my in laws and get a load of hassle over my need to keep kids in a routine

I feel the same @colddarkdarkcold I also work in a school so being at home is more of the same! My 2 both have SEND and do not get on at all. They could and will fight about literally anything. It’s so draining and their dad barely sees them so it feels never ending. I’m booking a few holiday club sessions, it will be expensive but I just can’t do another Christmas holiday with no break for myself.

I thought you were being completely unreasonable until I read you were a teacher - it's not much of a holiday for you as you are swapping one set of kids for another! I hope you manage to get some downtime or at least some calm one-on-one time with each child separately!

Yeah I'm not looking forward to it either. I'm also a teacher and I think it relates in that I'm not a big fan of purposeless time, as obviously when you teach you have a clear purpose in mind. I don't like just drifting around all day in the fog of childcare. Mine is too little to really educate in any meaningful sense. So yeah it can feel a bit bleak.

I just try to break it up with walks and snack time and all of it, but to be honest.... Yeah, the days are long. And the weeks are very long. I don't see holidays as a rest. I would rather be at work, as I enjoy my job! Still. Hey ho. Have to try to enjoy what I can of it.

Are you with their dad and does he have time off? If so I’d try and divide and conquer as much as possible. My children are probably a bit older than yours (11 and 8) and mostly get on, but it’s still easier if they so separate activities aligned to their own interests. We try and do that a fair bit and it’s nice for them to get 1-1 time with parents.

I used to feel exactly the same OP. Its not time off, it's trading one lot of work for another, and often the first type is less stressful and easier than the second.

Sympathise OP, I’m now at the taxi driver and ATM stage of parenting a teenager but I remember the early stages. My DC was an early riser, our day generally started at 5.30am, nothing worked at shifting this start time so I (cried and then begrudgingly accepted it) embraced it. We were out of the house and the first in our local National Trust car park as soon as it opened - whatever the weather!

I think I must have viewed my DC akin to a dog because long walks, games of chase, finding sticks/pine cones/conkers became the norm. Rewarded by hot chocolate (DC), strong coffee (me & DH) and cake. They were long, long days at times. Thankfully DC would be so tired that after lunch would want a Pixar film and I would nap. I may have my rose tinted specs on but now DC is a teen I do miss those days (sort of..).