I am a lone parent to a 14 yo, have WFH full time for years in a brain intense job.
I bloody hate the holidays. I admit that I have never been good at working when my child is around, regardless of the situation, I feel pulled and distracted.
The years when he's been too old to shunt off to a camp (many of which require long drives, lots of expense and him not wanting to go) yet too young to be entirely independent have been tough.
Last summer was really bad. He didn't have a great social life, we live rurally and he was too old to be sent to sports camps.
Sure, I set him jobs to do at home and turned a blind eye to him sitting on his screen/xbox all day, but for 6 weeks?? He was at that age where they're bored, but don't want to do anything. Also the age where they feel so hard done by because ALL their mates have at least one parent not working apparently
It seemed the effect of lockdown on his cohort was not to know how to go out with mates. At 13 you can't manage their friends and going out, but they weren't doing it themselves. Then I'd finish work and be so wound up I just needed to get out for some head space i.e. STILL not be with my kid. The guilt!
I was praying for someone/anyone to call me and say "we're taking E out today". I feel very isolated as a lone parent during the holidays.
This year has been better, partly because we took a 3 week holiday (organised in light of last summer's hideousness) but also because he has a better social life, has got into the gym and is more independent with getting busses etc. I still feel like I'm hanging in until the beginning of term.
They can occupy themselves, sure - but that's quite a low bar for a good summer holiday.