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Original poster

Half term plans? At home or away?

47 replies

BlowingInTheWind82 · 27/10/2023 09:41

We have two weeks at half term, the kids specifically asked not to go away on holiday and to stay home. We’ve been out shopping, bowling and we’ll go the the cinema next week.

We’ve loved it! No rush in the morning, things a little at our own pace, the occasional sleep in. We have friends going to South Africa, Tenerife, Florida etc and friends staying home enjoying the Autumn in this country.

What’s your plans for next week? We will get some house chores done, sorting clothes, bedrooms. Bags of stuff to give to charity. Watch telly!

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Thelondonone · 27/10/2023 09:46

We are sadly at the end. Have decorated and tidied. Been bowling but not not much else. One dc was happy to go to the park with their mates, the other is a bit miffed that all their friends were away.

voxnihili · 27/10/2023 09:47

Also have two weeks but have gone away (Tenerife). DD is only 5 and being away is definitely easier. At home she’s up at 5, but on holiday it’s past 8 o clock. Then just chilled days at the beach or pool and no having to cook. I find holidays we stay at home harder as DP is usually at work so it’s just me trying to entertain her. I find it lonely too as I don’t really have many friends but there’s always people to chat to around the pool.

MintJulia · 27/10/2023 09:52

We've spent the week in Northumberland.

Lindisfarne, Hadrian's Wall, paddle boarding, mountain biking, bowling. Blustery beaches and seal watching. 🙂

mindutopia · 27/10/2023 10:23

We have generally never really gone away at half term. It just doesn't appeal, especially the October one.

Dh and I have worked while the other did stuff with dc; so if I'm working, dh is out with dc for the day and then we switch the next day. We have done two days of National Trust, been to the cinema twice, out to lunch and some shopping, dd did a day of a pony club thing, ds and dh met up with MIL and went to a model village type thing and to the sea. They also relaxed at home with friends/went to visit friends for a playdate. This weekend we are going to a friend's halloween party and a birthday party. Then it's back to school on Monday.

RenegadeKeeblerElf · 27/10/2023 10:47

We've got two weeks as well - this week has been a mixture of days out and chilling at home (well, chilling for the parents - revision for the kids 😉). Next week we are going to Butlins for a few days which will be quite a relaxed holiday.

Original poster

BlowingInTheWind82 · 27/10/2023 11:59

Lovely! I’m feeling maybe we should do more, kids will have some holiday homework to do!

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catterychange · 27/10/2023 12:14

I wish. Working and we're skint.

Crunchymum · 27/10/2023 12:51

Just back from a week (well 6 days) on S.E coast. Was lovely but hard work [3 DC all different ages and interests]. We did lots of walks and rockpooling and had ice cream on the seafront everyday. Wasn't particularly warm but was pretty dry compared to the forecast.

Now home to all the drudge!!

Original poster

BlowingInTheWind82 · 27/10/2023 14:45

Sorry @catterychange i have some time off.
Not seeing much of DH atm who is doing early starts and late evenings.

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Original poster

BlowingInTheWind82 · 27/10/2023 14:45

A change of scenery is good.

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ThreeRingCircus · 27/10/2023 15:23

We have had a chilled half term, I'm sad we are at the end of it really as it's been nice not dashing around so much! DH and I have taken turns working/taking annual leave so one of us has been off with the kids while the other is working.

Monday and Tuesday DH was off with our DDs so he took them to a local museum one day and the swimming the other day.

Wednesday I took them to the cinema.

Thursday they had a playdate with a friend.

Today has been very quiet, just taking them food shopping and we've baked biscuits.

We've essentially pottered around a bit, had slower mornings not dashing to school and probably had too much screen time but it's been lovely to have a break.

mondaytosunday · 27/10/2023 15:49

We used the have two weeks but last few years GCSE/A levels mocks do most if it spent revising! Just the odd trip out for a meal etc.
This year Art Foundation so one week and big research project due so DC worked on that, had day with friends yesterday, and we went out to lunch today. Rest of the time reading for upcoming uni interview and, um, sleeping! I have been doing the usual of working part time and keeping the household afloat.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 27/10/2023 16:02

I plan to plant some bulbs and make the Christmas cake during half term next week!

other than that lie ins and relaxing.

ChienneDesFromages · 27/10/2023 16:09

We are at the end of our 2 week half term. I've worked a couple of days, but took the rest off to spend with the kids (I'm freelance, and work hard during term time.) We all felt pretty burned out, and needed the rest, especially DS after his first term at secondary school. I've never fancied going away this half term (I know loads of people who have), and we've had a fine old time visiting Central London a couple of times, seeing relatives, having friends over for film nights, dog walks, visits to local towns, painting Warhammer, doing an animation course, visiting the gym and swimming pool. One DD has enjoyed a couple of days work experience too. I also booked them extra riding, golf, parkour and music lessons, which we sometimes struggle to fit in in term time. We've done a few Hallowe'en things, like the London ghost bus tour, and have a little party tomorrow. It's probably not cost much less than a week away, all thing considered, but it's been lovely just to chill, lie in, commune with my Labradors, read, play games and have little trips out.

ChienneDesFromages · 27/10/2023 16:10

Muchtoomuchtodo · 27/10/2023 16:02

I plan to plant some bulbs and make the Christmas cake during half term next week!

other than that lie ins and relaxing.

DS and I planted 320 Spring bulbs after the rain on Saturday. Hopefully some will come up!

reluctantbrit · 27/10/2023 16:14

First week we were visiting family in Germany, nice but exhausting. This week we were back at work and DD lounged around, met friends and did schoolwork.

We have been away for some part of the October half-terms in the last couple of years, even if it was just a 3-4 day short break. I like it, if we have time off at home we just do too much normal stuff and it's not relaxing.

Next year DD will be deep in mocks so I don't think we will do anything and the year after it will be just DH and me. I actually cherish the last remaing school holidays.

ShowOfHands · 27/10/2023 16:19

I had grand plans for half term but it rained a lot (couldn't mow the lawn and get more bulbs in) and DH has been ill. We did manage a few days out here and there and have had an enormous clear out. Given away 12 bags of clothes (small bags), re-tiled, painted the dining room and baked.

Back to school on Monday.

Original poster

BlowingInTheWind82 · 27/10/2023 18:44

All sounds very relaxing. I think we’re going to get some homework done next week and we’ve decided to go away for two nights. Chinese takeaway tonight

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MinnieMountain · 27/10/2023 18:47

We’ve spent the week staying in Pompei, then Rome. It’s been brilliant.

Girasoli · 27/10/2023 19:15

We only have one week here...DS1 has had 4 days at school holiday club and one nice day out today (I don't work Fridays).

We went to a cheap 10am film at the cinema, got crepes for lunch, and then looked round our local museum for a few hours this afternoon.

Original poster

BlowingInTheWind82 · 27/10/2023 20:05

@MinnieMountain what are the temperatures like ?

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Original poster

BlowingInTheWind82 · 27/10/2023 20:05

Lovely @Girasoli

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MinnieMountain · 27/10/2023 20:09

25 and sunny in Pompei earlier this week. 22-3 and a mixture of sunny and overcast in Rome.

Decafflatteplease · 27/10/2023 20:11

Ours is just finishing up. We've had a lovely week albeit on a budget.

Swimming (we have an annual pass)
National trust place
English heritage place
Crazy golf at local park.
Cosy baking, hot chocolate and film afternoon

Original poster

BlowingInTheWind82 · 27/10/2023 21:59

I’m starting to feel like should have done more this week! Kids have enjoyed the down time though as have I. Eldest has baked and some art, youngest has enjoyed playing with her toys!

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