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Original poster

Are you more relaxed in the school holidays?

22 replies

pupp · 30/06/2019 14:22

Just musing because mine are 1 and 3 but when I was young things were definitely more relaxed and therefore exciting in terms of bedtimes etc I was pretty feral

However this fills me with dread for the future as routines and knowing I'll have an evening keeps me going!! Maybe I'll feel differently when my dc are bigger.

So what happens in your house? Rules out of the window, a more relaxed routine or routine as normal? Have you tried different approaches over the years?

OP posts:

Original poster

pupp · 30/06/2019 14:23

Just realised are you more 'relaxed' in the school holidays was definitely the wrong thread title

OP posts:

resipsa · 30/06/2019 14:26

No, it's a good title - no lunches to make, no bell to rush for in the morning , no rigid pick up time, no guitar/swim kit/whatever to remember. Definitely more relaxing despite work going on as normal (subject to holiday care having been sorted, obviously!).

SandraOhshair · 30/06/2019 14:26

The older they got the more relaxed I also got. 4/5 bedtime remained the same, at 8/9/10 much later bedtimes as I'm also able to relax when they're still up.

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wendz86 · 30/06/2019 14:26

I work most the holidays and kids still go to childminder so we are still up quite early . I am a bit more relaxed on days off though and would let eldest (8) stay up a bit later . She does this usually on a Saturday and although it means I get less alone time she is a lot calmer etc now at this age .

SandraOhshair · 30/06/2019 14:27

I also feel more relaxed as pp said. Roads much quieter so easy drive to work.

resipsa · 30/06/2019 14:27

And yes, as they get older, the fact that they are still up becomes less and less of an issue and the going to bed bit is a breeze...

IamPickleRick · 30/06/2019 14:28

I am relaxed but not with the babies. For the older one his bedtime becomes whenever he likes but that’s because he’ll always choose to go to bed at 9 latest anyway. The babies keep their routine or we’d all pay the price!

UnderOverUnderRover · 30/06/2019 14:28

We've just started 2 weeks school hols in Aus and my temp contract finished last week.

It's going to be great not rushing everyone around!

Rollonthesummer · 30/06/2019 14:29

Very relaxed. When the kids were younger, we went for a later bedtime to ensure they slept in!

I love the freedom to do what we want. Not making packed lunches, not having to find uniform and not having to clock watch for school run pick ups!

Jaffacakebeast · 30/06/2019 14:31

I live for the school holiday, only work 1 day a week in the summer hols, save all my holidays and no overtime or favours, late nights, no early mornings, picnics and dog walks. So chilled

Loyaultemelie · 30/06/2019 14:32

In school time I send them to bed as early as possible! Partly mainly to get some peace and partly because dd1 is so cross without enough sleep. In holidays, especially summer the light nights I let them go when they drop. They are outside all the time and can lie in when they have to.

CMOTDibbler · 30/06/2019 14:34

More stressed as DH and I are both working so we need to have found things for ds to do, and even then the hours can be odd so more filling in time.

Original poster

pupp · 30/06/2019 14:37

Good to know on the most part it seems to be more relaxed!

I know it will also depend on your circumstances, lone parent etc and if you are a sahm or wohm.

I'd like to give my kids the happy carefree summers I remember but think I'll be a bit more rigid. I also had so much more freedom - I know that's been done to death on here - and I wonder what impact that will have as I don't think I could stomach it! Again my dc are very young so still hard to imagine

OP posts:

missnevermind · 30/06/2019 14:42

I have always stuck to bedtimes as mine won’t sleep in no matter what. So bed at 7 but as long as they are in their bed I’m not too fussed about them sleeping.
But if we are out we are out. No being back earlier because of the kids.

Heatherjayne1972 · 30/06/2019 14:45

Oh dear no
Still have to get everyone up at the same time so they go to holiday club and me to work
So still a crazy stress filled rush

I think it’s only relaxing if the parent/s are off too

AbbyHammond · 30/06/2019 14:47

1 year old still stays in normal routine. 9 year old I can't be bothered to send him to bed.

MissClareRemembers · 30/06/2019 15:04

Much more relaxed here. I do find the first few days are a bit of a write off though as the DCs have to get used to NOT having a routine and they don’t really know what to do with themselves!

floraloctopus · 30/06/2019 15:21

Yes! No set bedtimes, meals whenever we feel like it and going with the flow. We get all the uniform and work clothes washed and ironed ready for the first week back, homework is done, lessons are planned and then the school and work bags are packed and put in the spare room and then all routine goes out of the window until about 3 or 4 days before BTS when we go back to school night bedtimes.

Crunchymum · 30/06/2019 15:34

Routine relaxes. So I don't mind if they are up later as mine (6 and 4) do sleep in.

However I find the summer holidays fraught, chaotic, unrelenting and tedious. I'm glad I'm back to work this year (also have a 17mo and I keep to her routine in the holidays!)

happypotamus · 30/06/2019 16:27

Well, they go to sleep stupidly late anyway when we usually put them to bed at 8, so I don't tend to let them stay up later because I want some evening without them and I don't necessarily want to stay up later. But, it is more relaxed, because I don't have to get them up at 7am, harrass them to get up, get dressed, get ready, make them walk up the hill to school. Some days they just sit in their pyjamas all morning in front of the tv, and I am not demanding they do things (until I get fed up of that and demand they get dressed and we leave the house). Also, not having to make a packed lunch every evening for a DC who doesn't like any normal packed lunch food is one of the things I most look forward to. So, the routine is more relaxed, but am I? Possibly not, because I have to entertain them and listen to them argue with each other everyday that I am not at work. When they are at school and nursery I usually get a day in the week when I am not working (random shift job) so have peace and quiet at home to watch tv and clean house, and I need that to decompress from life. I also will have to worry about money more at the end of every month when we have none, but I still have to feed and entertain them.

teyem · 30/06/2019 16:32

I am more relaxed. The kids are more relaxed. The rules are more relaxed.

Until about week 5 when I realise it's all gone a bit Lord of the Flies and I have to whip everything back into shape.

Ilikesweetpeas · 30/06/2019 16:41

I certainly am but that's because I'm a teacher!! Love relaxed days with DC. This year it's great because they go back to school a week before me so I will have the last week in school preparing for the new term without needing to take them with me into my school.

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