Sad we all have to go back to real life

Depends on jobs thought doesn’t it? It’s great you and your DH are mostly around, but not everyone can manage this. My DH is often out between 6-7am (sometimes earlier) and back after 5:30 (on a good day!). I have to be out by 7:45 at the latest and back around 5/5:30 by which point I have to start cooking dinner/put a wash on/shower etc and then taxiing to DCs sport a few evenings.

Not everyone is able to build a career with a high level of flexibility, whilst that’s great for you it’s not as simple as telling someone ‘it doesn’t have to be this way’.

I like the person I am over the summer, I am a teacher and I’m very grateful for the (unpaid) holidays. I enjoy my job, but I don’t enjoy the version of life term time brings. I’m all ears though for ways to make it better when both of us are out of the house most of the day!

OP - I am completely with you.

i work term time and my husband wfh and is v flexible, so it’s been us with the kids for 6 weeks and it’s been so lovely. My youngest is starting reception this week and my eldest is starting year 1. We’ve been away a few times and had some lovely days out and met up with friends. I wish life could always be like this.

It must depend on the area, the DC around here aren’t feral.

The irony!

Going by your rudeness I am not sure you were brought up well.

I will be relieved when we all go back.

I'm with 100%. When I was 30 I left my high pressure job and retrained to do something I love- from then on I worked freelance from home , it has it's problems but my OH worked 7-3 (civil servant) so we had lots of time together, we don't have kids though which makes a shift easier. My OH retired early and I still work PT so we have managed a good balance- it's super tough working all hours god sends, both on yourselves and your relationship.

This will probably make me very unpopular, but I can’t wait to be on my own for 6 hours a day again when eveyone is at school and work, doing as I please!

(Don’t be jealous, I have a couple of horrendous health issues which take up a lot of time with appointments and fighting the NHS for a shred of dignity and cause horrible anxiety and depression as a result. I am also too skint to do anything other than walk the dog).

Same OP. Its our last day of a glorious summer before back to work and school. My 3 are finally old enough that we've had so much fun, relaxed, properly enjoyed our days out. My baby is off to school, my big one is in year 6 - very conscious that we won't have many summers more like this and wish it could last a bit longer.

That’s a rather sweeping statement and nothing like my own experience of having teens and their friends. All polite and lovely.

It’s been nice - DH had 2 full weeks off which is miraculous for him, and the teen DC have got on pretty well - but I think we’re all ready to be back to normal now- the endless scrolling has started to creep in. DC got nearly 11 weeks holiday. They both have pre-season this week ( before term starts) and are looking forward to seeing friends- dd is packed with stuff by the door and doesn’t go till tomorrow

ps to those in despair with warring kids, I honestly thought mine would never get better and then suddenly- years 10 and 9, they started getting on. Still have their moments but it’s a 90% improvement. It can happen.

I find this interesting and wonder where the happy medium is.

what age children/ level of work/ outside commitments / level of support does it take to actually not feel stressed and overwhelmed?

mine are young (6 & 3) and my
only aim this summer was to spend quality time with them. Ultimately I didn’t take enough time off work, but the days I was at home with them just feel like all I do is shout. It’s mostly the constant tantrums of the 3 yo, the lack of family support. Lack of involvement from my husband.

im gutted. On paper they’ve had a nice summer but all I feel is guilt

The summer holidays are always a good reset for us, my teens relax properly.

This academic year we have GCSEs, A levels, applying for uni, so lots of open days and stress coming up. Eldest DD is only just 17 so driving lessons, she now has a boyfriend who lives far away and is saving (hopefully!) from her casual job.

I work a second, casual, job in school holidays (TA normally). I'm mid 40s, so in the sweet spot of teens, older parents (& DH) and perimenopause ... It's the calm before the storm for all of us!

My DC all had exams this year (GCSE, A levels and 2nd year uni) and were all finished by mid June. I've been working but the summer is a very quiet time for me so hasn't felt like "real" work This summer has been going on forever! I'm sad that it's coming to an end but I also like autumn.

2 of mine are desperate to go back. This holiday has been 7 weeks and it's just too long. The DCs are sick of the house and eachother, we've exhausted every local attraction and I have absolutely no money left. 1 DC has SEN and is really struggling with the idea of going back, and I know I'm in for weeks of upset and anxiety every morning.

I always like this time - maybe not when I worked in a school 😂
When I was at school I looked forward to going back, had enough of holidays after 6 weeks and I didn’t even like school!
Now no-one is at school or uni so life just goes on …

Run my own business so been really flexible … DH hasn’t had much time off but I’ve had time off with the kids. It’s been amazing - especially for my ND younger child who hasn’t had the school anxiety. She starts Seniors tomorrow and I’m so worried.

Honestly, I’m counting down the hours till mine goes back tomorrow! We have a 5 year old going into year 1, plus a 1 year old in nursery 4 days a week (the days I work). We’ve had a nice summer and planned a good mix of childminder/time off work/holiday club to fill the days but I can feel my 5 year old is crying out for some routine and regularity back into his life, and I’m really looking forward to not having to think of activities to fill the day. He had is birthday over the summer too and I think he’s experiencing a bit of a come-down from it all, so school will be hopefully be a good dose of normality.

Life has felt so bitty over the last few weeks and even when he’s been in childcare we’ve had to factor in different drop offs and packed lunches etc.

And my day off is so much easier with just toddler DD rather than trying to find activities that suit both without them winding each other up or DD going feral with the craft drawer!

it’s interesting how many of the posts above lamenting the end of the holidays have older children.

I know what you mean! We have come back from a 11 day road trip and feel so sad we’ll be back to work and school on Thursday!

So much. I wfh in a very relaxed job so I’m going to miss getting up when we feel like it and just chilling around. Dh had over 2 weeks off so that was nice being away and having adventures.

I will enjoy some peace having the house empty but it won’t make up for the relaxed days.

That’s reassuring. Thank you, I appreciate that.