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Original poster

Is it ok to have lots of days in the house with kids?

107 replies

shoppinisttimeagain · 31/07/2023 11:17

I know it's a daft question but I feel kinda bad that we haven't really done much over the summer. We haven't had an actual holiday as such but had a few days out. My kids seem happy being in the house and being off school in itself is great (they say)

I just feel so guilty

OP posts:
HappiDaze · 31/07/2023 12:15

Be grateful they're content

Caspianberg · 31/07/2023 12:19

Mine generally need some outside time to wear off some energy each day. It’s not grand plans like paid events daily though. This morning we spent 8.30-11.30am just out and about walking along promenade, play park and wooded area. Supermarket on way back for few basics.

This afternoon we will be just in house or our garden pottering around as I have some chores to do. when Im gardening he usually just plays nearby with trucks on grass or in sandpit

lemmein · 31/07/2023 12:24

Flickersy · 31/07/2023 11:48

Even 50 years ago days out were a rarity and theme parks like Alton Towers didn't really exist. When I was small (in the 90s) we had one trip to the zoo in the summer. That was it.

Kids have survived millennia without constant days out. I'm not sure what it is about recent years that means they have to be entertained non-stop rather than entertaining themselves at home with toys, books, colouring etc.

I agree with this. When I was a kid we had a couple of days out during the summer holidays but the rest of the time we were expected to entertain ourselves. There's so much pressure on parents these days to be #makingmemories.

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neverenoughchelseaboots · 31/07/2023 12:30

Contrast is important in my book. How can a day out at an attraction be special when you do them constantly?

We have 50% home days but with only a small amount of tv but plenty of playing, craft and activities.

40% days out but to free or cheap attractions and 10% bigger attractions.

TenderDandelions · 31/07/2023 12:44

Due to family circumstances (both financial and logistical), we really couldn't do much during the school holidays when I was a kid.

Yes, I'd often be bored by the end of the school holidays, but there's nothing wrong with kids being bored. If it makes going back to school easier, it's probably a good thing!

I had plenty of days of just reading library books (this was a bi-weekly trip we did take), or watching TV. My DM got me to help making lunch and dinner and if the weather was nice we'd play games in the garden (swing ball used to get quite vicious!).

It didn't do me any harm, so try not to feel too guilty about it.

AmyandPhilipfan · 31/07/2023 12:48

Oooh I loved swing ball. I used to like playing it by myself! Just hitting it back and forwards. If I ever played with my brother he was vicious! And he would always win so it wasn't much fun!

flutterby1 · 31/07/2023 13:12

Do t feel bad, we live in a world where people are so competitive and feel like they have to be ' doing' something all the time. Going out to paid attractions. Well, I'm not getting involved in all that, kids are happy at home or just take out your normal lunch to a park and make it a ' picnic' kids don't know the difference especially younger ones, bet they are just as happy with a caring mum giving them attention x

Stressfordays · 31/07/2023 13:15

Who are all these people who are out at the park every day? Its throwing it down here! Perfect day for a movie day at home!

Paperclipped · 31/07/2023 13:17

I always find these threads a bit odd, because people seem to think that the alternative to 'being in the house watching Youtube' is 'going to a theme park or other paid event/activity' in that both the 'staying in' and the 'going out of the house' seem to be extreme.

I wonder to what extent this is a reflection of the fact that Mn skews quite markedly towards misanthropes who struggle with social life, prefer being at home with the drawbridge pulled up, and are made anxious by leaving the house, especially for unknown territory, especially going on holiday. (Lots of pre-holiday anxiety threads this year...?)

DS (11) has had exactly half of his 8 weeks summer holiday from primary school (not UK), and of those four weeks, he's had one week of loafing, one week of soccer camp, one week of rugby camp, and one week of a general summer camp. These are mandated as much as the need for childcare as the need for activity/exercise.

PetitPorpoise · 31/07/2023 13:21

We're having a lazy day today. I'm trying to get some work done and the kids are having a chill day of films and lego. It's rained all day so while I know I should get them to the park, I really don't feel like it.

I think this is the first 'nothing' day of the holidays so far and we're heading off on holiday on Friday for a week so I don't feel bad at all.

Lovetotravel123 · 31/07/2023 13:24

I would say that it is ok as long as you are all getting a decent walk/ other exercise in every day.

Isthisreallyok · 31/07/2023 13:25

I WFH so inevitably there are days when my 5 year old is eating crisps and watching TV all day 🤷‍♀️. However, these are interspersed with weeks where we are off and on holiday out all day everyday, weeks where I have them on my own and plan a big day out for everyday, play dates, trips to grandmas etc. and I still read to her everyday etc. if you think about it, we as adults need an occasional day just vegging out in front of Netflix, so why shouldn’t children?

MaxwellCat · 31/07/2023 13:26

We spend a lot of days in the house. My children have additional needs and taking them anywhere is hard so don't go out that much.

mrshenny · 31/07/2023 13:29

100% of my school holiday memories are at home playing with my sister and neighbours kids. Totally fine, it's good for kids to be bored and use their imagination and also to relax and have an actual break from school.

user1469095927 · 31/07/2023 13:34

Totally agree with this. Combined with working, the cost of everything and three kids who have very different ideas on what they want to do means that we probably spend more time at home than we should.

Pebblesontheside · 31/07/2023 14:09

All day indoors without sunlight or fresh air, not ok - but if you mean without organised activities out and about, then that’s fine! Organised fun is bloody awful usually, and boredom is great for creativity. Just make sure they get outdoors for decent periods.

leryland · 31/07/2023 14:21

It depends on the kids and the parent really. We like to get out every day, just going to a playground or museum is free and brings them into contact with others. But other people are homebodies and are happy to stay in for days. There is lots going on in my city so I think it's a shame to miss out on fun events which we would do if we didn't get out of the house daily.

BogRollBOGOF · 31/07/2023 15:06

We tend to get out little and often. DS1 needs a lot of down time at home.

With the crap weather today, I had thought that we might get away with not going out until their evening sports activity, but clearly not as they've been sent to their bedrooms for 30 mins to seperate them and they're still bickering through the bedroom walls, and when they've simmered down a bit, we'll head to a park to burn off the rest of their steam for a little while...

The trouble is they're at the age that joyfully announcing early in the daythat we're going to a park for some jolly japes would be met by slightly less enthusiasm than suggesting a trip to a sewerage plant. TBF, they'd probably prefer the sewerage plant 😂

They wouldn't cope with constant trips to theme parks, museums, trampoline parks etc, let alone the budget coping!

Swoonworthy · 31/07/2023 15:27

My kids have always loved spending time at home in school holidays. When they were younger we would often have full days at home or days when we only popped out to the shop for half an hour. They enjoyed playing with toys, watching tv, us all playing a board game and just lounging around. Other days we had trips to museums, theme parks, swimming, trampolining parks and all the usual stuff but both my children hated being busy every day.

They’re still the same now they’re older, they love seeing friends and doing stuff but still love being home and just chilling. I’m pleased about that as home should be a place that you enjoy being.

Summer2424 · 31/07/2023 15:31

Hi @shoppinisttimeagain no don't feel guilty, chilling at home with the kids is good too x

Hadebough · 31/07/2023 15:33

Fatat40 · 31/07/2023 11:19

There a big difference between days in the house playing board games, tidying bedrooms, baking cakes, crafting etc etc OR days in the house watching 6 hours of youtube & eating crisps.

Only you know which you mean and if you have something to feel guilty about or not.

we have many days where I let the kids play on their screens all day long. They love it. Don't see the issue tbh kids are expected to do so much so young at school if they want to have a fair few days chilling our watching YouTube so what? What does it matter as long as they're fed looked after clean happy and cared for?

AlfietheSchnauzer · 31/07/2023 15:35

Pebblesontheside · 31/07/2023 14:09

All day indoors without sunlight or fresh air, not ok - but if you mean without organised activities out and about, then that’s fine! Organised fun is bloody awful usually, and boredom is great for creativity. Just make sure they get outdoors for decent periods.

Hmm What on earth do you think is going to happen to them if they miss ONE day of sunlight & fresh air?!? Will they melt?! Don't be so utterly precious

RosieRainbow1986 · 31/07/2023 15:44

I think it's important for children to rest and relax during the holidays! It's as equally important as exercise imo. You don't have to be on the go with them all of the time! Balance is key!

Beaverbridge · 31/07/2023 15:49

This never used to be a thing, constant trips out, activities constantly. Nothing wrong with days in. Can go out for a walk for fresh air. Weather's been rubbish for trailing about.

Beachbreak2411 · 31/07/2023 15:51

We’ve not really done much yet! I work a lot so times limited. We’ve been to the beach most days (even in the rain), circus school, swimming and cinema but no days out. We love a good home day! Get the crafts out and veg in front of the tv!