Feeling a bit low about the summer, anyone else?

[Alittlelow]

I work in a school so has my last day in work today before the summer holidays. My colleagues all seemed to show a mixture of excitement and exhausted relief at the prospect of six weeks away from work, but I just can’t muster the enthusiasm this year.

I work term-time only because I’ve got children and the childcare options for school holidays in our area are expensive and patchy. Finding full-time childcare for school holidays each year would be a logistical nightmare. I also love to spend the time with the children, doing fun things / days out etc.

This year there is just no money spare. We’re not as unfortunate as some (thankfully), I know they will be fed and we’ll keep a roof over our heads, but there’s no money for days out, activities etc. I’ve found as many ‘free’ ideas for days out / signed up for free groups etc, but even then I’m worried about the cost of fuel to get to places (we live quite rurally so most things are not close).

On the one hand I feel I shouldn’t complain, we’re lucky compared to some others and I know I can find things to make it nice for the children. I just feel so demoralised that it is so much less than we have done in previous years, so disappointed that there are so many things that we would love to do, but can’t afford.

Plus, I think I’m actually going to miss going into work. I don’t really have a lot of friends, and am beginning to realise that I’m quite isolated. I feel like I need the adult company that I get in work, although I’d also feel terribly guilty if I considered giving up my term-time contract when it gives me so much time with my children.

Sorry, there’s no question here really. Just wondering if anyone else is feeling despondent about the summer holidays? Hoping I can snap out of this for the sake of the children.

I feel a bit like this, although I don't work TT but PT so I do have some clubs that my primary aged kids will attend on my working days.

We've no holiday booked or days out apart from one day trip for dd's birthday next week.
Everything is so expensive and I do wonder how others afford to do something with their kids almost daily as well as have a summer holiday.

How old are you're children?

I worked TT for 8 years. Money is shit but like you the childcare cost was ridiculous so had no choice. Now im 30 hours p/w money is still tight due to the rise of everything.

how old are they? Mine are older (2 adults and a 14 yr old) he will happily go on his bike to the next village £5 in his pocket for the afternoon. But is aware that i can’t do that every day.

ive got air drying clay and next week we’re making new Christmas decorations 😂 he likes that idea!

I'm the same, it's a mixed blessing really. There's so much house stuff to do that has been left due to working full time which feels horrendously daunting.

I haven't really got any friends here and feel exhausted mixing with acquaintances where I have to put my best face on.

No cash, but we are having a free week away, and I've budgeted for extra fuel. It's always just me and the kids though, which does get lonely.

I hate my job too, so will be doing lots of application forms.

Sorry, I'm a Debbie downer today. I live in a wealthy area so lots of people off doing amazing things.

I think looking at many other posts your DC are extremely lucky to be allowed to relax at home and just chill out. Unfortunately some DC won't get that break because they have to off out everyday because parents need to work . And no holidays either.

So that's already a huge win!!

Btw yha usually have a 25% discount on some places this time of year.
Maybe worth a look for one or two nights away?

YANBU. It's always a expensive time of year especially when you need to shell out on new school uniform for September.

We don't have many plans, and will be rather isolated but it is what it is. My dc have a extra week off as well, so 7 weeks... it's just way to long.

I felt flat yesterday but it's because I work all summer. It's such hard work trying to finish projects to take what will be 3 weeks holiday. The kids will have fun at camps and clubs but I felt sad that ds1 finished primary and things are changing.

It's good you enjoy your work.

My dc are 18 and 15 so obviously don’t need entertaining but I’m totally pinching your idea about ordering some air drying clay because I know when they see me sitting down making Christmas decs with it, they’ll not be able to resist joining in!!

Feel the same, my dd is autistic and getting her to school each day is a massive struggle so can't wait for the holidays but the thought of Six weeks stretched out ahead of me scares me. I will work a couple of days and have three days off a week. Money is tight and I really feel I need to have some nice things planned for her but don't know what! Thankfully she is happy at home playing a lot of the time but I still feel bad that I don't do as much as other parents you see on social media 'making memories' !!

We are similar, no spare money for trips out this summer either. My eldest is already asking can we do this, can we do that, and mostly the answer is going to be no. We have kept our National Trust membership going though, it’s £11 a month and there are three places within a 30 minute drive of us so that’s 3 cheap days out with picnics etc. My younger cousin works at a soft play and she can get us in free when she works so will do that a couple of times but that’s about it. But my DC are desperate to finish and have a break so it will be good for them to have a rest at home over the break too.

At least you don’t feel the need to lie about your wonderful holiday experiences! See attached pic.

I have really mixed feelings about it. This will be the first summer holidays with me working, although as I’m self-employed it’s hard to know how busy I’ll be. DH and have taken one day off a week each and DS is going to a holiday club for one day, which we are using childcare vouchers to pay for. Then I don’t work on one other day anyway, so that leaves one day when he’ll potentially be watching a lot of Disney+… there’s not a lot of money spare for lots of days out, and we aren’t going away on holiday although we’ve all taken a week off together to hang out. We are lucky to have some nice things to do locally that are free, but like the op we’re rural, so fuel costs are a potential issue. On one hand I think DS will enjoy the break, but on the other, I’m slightly dreading the potential cost of it all.

Hoping to arrange some meetups with his school friends at the village playground, and muddle through with lots of bike rides and things! In former years we’ve had season tickets for the local zoo, but they’re just too expensive now. We’ll miss being able to go as it’s literally minutes from our door - we can hear the animals from our garden.

Thanks everyone. Sorry to hear that others are feeling a bit crap, although it’s reassuring to know I’m not the only one.

Going to print out my list of free adventures today and stick it to the fridge. Hopefully if I try and keep a little bit of structure and routine it will stop me sulking in my pyjamas for weeks.

DC are 2 and 10, so it can be a bit awkward finding activities that suit both, but we’ve got a few ideas, mainly aimed at the oldest, as youngest will happily just play at home.

DC10 has been very good, understanding that we can’t do lots of expensive things this year, but I’m trying not to make too much fuss as I don’t want to put grown-up worries on their shoulders.

It’s routine that you miss, I get forced to take leave. Because I’m not going on holiday I’d rather work, there’s no fun in sitting at home looking at every that needs doing .

I feel the same. I work directly for the LA all around the county but we’re having a last day meet up today for someone’s retirement and as far as I know, I’m the only person who has had to take on a holiday job. Everyone else is so relieved that this year is over as it’s been an awful year but all I’m doing is replacing work with work. I took on the extra job at the beginning of the year so we’d have more money to do nice things with DS when I’m not working but due to the cost of living crisis, it’s now just being eaten up by bills.

DS is a teenager so he doesn’t need childcare or as much entertaining but he does need to do something! He needs to be cajoled and nagged to arrange any meet ups with his friends even though when he actually goes out, he enjoys himself but the nagging is exhausting!

Joining in with solidariry and sympathy.

I'm a SAHM with a variety of ages.

I've printed off a summer planner we do this every year and have started filling a few things in even simple things like a film afternoon is actually one of DC favourite things.

We also have national trust membership plus one to a zoo type thing so will be using them alot. We invested in quality picnic stuff a while ago so lots of picnics. We have a thermal food pot from Aldi so can keep things hot or cold.

Other ideas are baking those £1 kits are great. Do you have an airfryer that's cheaper than the oven?

Film afternoon with homemade pizza. Or can do tortilla wrap pizzas for ease. Bowl of popcorn some sweets and DC love it.

Sign up to any email alerts you can for local things. There are a couple of organised free events on local parks might be like that near you

Any local churches or similar offering cheap holiday clubs?

Do you live near a city with museums etc. We are getting the train in one day (family ticket cheaper than driving and parking) and going to museum. Take a picnic or even half a picnic eg take drinks and snacks and just buy sausage rolls etc from Gregg's or similar

Swimming look for cheap deals our local ones do £1 kids swimming at certain times.

Hope all goes well for you

Just a thought and it may be no good for you but where we live the council run some free clubs during the holidays, my dgs is booked in for 2 weeks of a football club, runs from 9 - 3.30 and they are given a packed lunch, its a godsend for my dd (and us tbh) and he really enjoys it. The local libary run a 'reading challenge', the kids have to read a certain amount of books (just kids ones, nothing academic ) and then they get a medal presented at school assembly, again, free but gives them something to do. Our local museum do several free morning sessions of guided tours and colouring and a drink, my dgs enjoys those. BTW, when I was a child there was very little money, however I have very fond memories of long hot summers playing out in the garden, a hose can provide hours of fun, picnic lunches on a blanket on the lawn, perhaps a friend round to play etc (also you would meet the mum hopefully), they were quite simple summers but great fun, you don't need to spend money to give your children great memories.

Thanks @thebabessavedme the local council are quite good actually. We missed out on the free sports sessions (they were fully booked within an hour of being advertised - obviously very high demand), but have managed to get spaces on a couple of craft sessions and the library is running a few events too.

Feeling a little more positive today, although not actually managed any fun stuff on day one as the children are sick 🙄. Still, at least cuddles and a pyjama day in front of the telly are free.

I think we might spend a lot of the holidays on the beach, luckily it's at the end of our road. My dd10 hasn't been keen before and always used to get bored but has found a new love for going in the sea which is a result and free too!!