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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!

OP posts:
Anna79ishere · 28/10/2023 08:26

I find October half term so close to summer holidays I don’t even need a rest. Kids do not need it either. We have 2 weeks just after 5 weeks of schools! I find it very disruptive as they just got into the rhythm of school, homework club and it just stops for two long weeks. I don’t even understand how people can ask holidays from work just after being back from holidays in summer.
so we worked and kids went to a camp where they were supposed to do some work but did not do that much…
the three weeks Christmas break this year will be lovely! I always thought 2 weeks were too short. I would definitely trade the 1 week October to 1 week more at Christmas as I see the kids to start getting tired at that time.

BitofaStramash · 28/10/2023 08:38

We did a week in France and then sent the kids off to visit relatives for a week.

Back at school now.

WithTheHatToMatch · 28/10/2023 08:39

We never go away in October half term. I always feel like we need to recharge and get our energy up around this time of year.

PEARLJAM123 · 28/10/2023 09:03

This is nothing new. In fact, I think most people stay at home.

ilovebagpuss · 28/10/2023 09:17

We have had an 8 week term here so both DD's tired. Youngest has been ill with Covid and then another cold bug after another.
I am working as no holiday left to take.
They both like pottering and rest in half term anyway. We will go to the cinema and shopping/out for food.
We will have some fun cozy film nights if they fancy.
Eldest has a few work shifts and college homework as well.
DH can juggle his work if they want lifts but we also have train station 10 mins away if they want to go to town.

StiffyByngsDogBartholomew · 28/10/2023 09:29

We are at the end now, first week Dd13 spent at the yard and this week we went to Venice. First time DD has flown since 2019

Bluetrue · 28/10/2023 10:47

We also never go away during October half term. Summer holidays were only a while back and we just prefer to relax at home. Airports/travelling can be exhausting, so glad not to face that although we will at Christmas to see family abroad.

We have been swimming, museum, park, bowling, day out with DC friend, kids party and next week will be homework and more relaxing.

Nothankyou22 · 28/10/2023 11:15

We had a week this half term but came to the canaries from winter sun as didn’t go abroad in the summer but get back late Sunday and back to routine Monday

Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 28/10/2023 11:20

We have two weeks so have gone to the US. I hate hot weather so don't tend to go away in the summer. Think I will need an extra half term week to recover though.

Craycraycatbaby · 28/10/2023 14:08

Our half term is almost over but we never go abroad in October half term, I love the autumn too much. We live in Cornwall so are lucky to have enjoyed beach walks, going to the woods, a few Halloween parties and we've been away to north Devon for 3 nights staying in a caravan for.... More beach walks 😂 we've had a lovely relaxed week off!

cocksstrideintheevening · 28/10/2023 15:23

We're on two weeks too but the other way around so they are back to school on Monday. Had a week on the Isle of Wight for bargain prices as half term 'proper' kicked in the week after. Two weeks at home with both in g to do would drive me mad.

Ange211 · 28/10/2023 15:36

I’d love to go away in the October break (actually I’d go away every school holiday if I could) but dh’s job just doesn’t facilitate more than one (summer) holiday per year. He’s a farmer and we live on a farm so getting away is difficult.
that being said we’ve done very little this October week and quite enjoyed it. Picked apples and made an apple tart, walked the dogs lots, bit of art, board games, movies & popcorn that sort of thing.
I normally make the effort to get out and about but I can’t drive just now due to vertigo so just making the best of being at home.

reluctantbrit · 28/10/2023 16:33

Anna79ishere · 28/10/2023 08:26

I find October half term so close to summer holidays I don’t even need a rest. Kids do not need it either. We have 2 weeks just after 5 weeks of schools! I find it very disruptive as they just got into the rhythm of school, homework club and it just stops for two long weeks. I don’t even understand how people can ask holidays from work just after being back from holidays in summer.
so we worked and kids went to a camp where they were supposed to do some work but did not do that much…
the three weeks Christmas break this year will be lovely! I always thought 2 weeks were too short. I would definitely trade the 1 week October to 1 week more at Christmas as I see the kids to start getting tired at that time.

I don't like going anywhere in southern Europe in Summer so mid-October is perfect for us to go sightseeing.

I always try to have a week off, we now have two weeks half-term and DD doesn't like too much time on her own. She is in 6th form, so has a decent amount of work she needs doing but a break is good for her as well.

I prefer to take my annual leave when DD is off, that actually means taking time off in October if I want to use all of it. And due to my job I never can take Christmas.

Ladyoftheknight · 28/10/2023 17:46

DH has surprised us with a trip to Salem for halloween. We went last year and thought we wouldn't be able to this year. Currently in NYC for one night, then driving there tomorrow. It means the DC will have a week off school but it's so worth it

pumpkinpie25 · 28/10/2023 17:50

Never been away in October half term. It doesn't feel like long enough really.

We've been to the cinema, been to a spooky farm park, had haircuts, done Halloween crafts and pumpkins, ds has been to the park with friends and been to 2 football matches, and we went swimming.

There's also been a lot of screen time.

LegendsBeyond · 28/10/2023 17:53

We had a lovely relaxed week away in Cornwall. Sad to be home.

Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 28/10/2023 18:03

Ladyoftheknight · 28/10/2023 17:46

DH has surprised us with a trip to Salem for halloween. We went last year and thought we wouldn't be able to this year. Currently in NYC for one night, then driving there tomorrow. It means the DC will have a week off school but it's so worth it

We were in Salem on Thursday - was fab (have never been before) did feel a bit odd all the Halloween stuff with blazing sunshine.

purplehair1 · 29/10/2023 01:45

I know it might sound a bit mad but I did a tourist type tour of my own city recently and it was so interesting and I actually learned a lot! Kids of secondary age might find it interesting as well.

XelaM · 29/10/2023 01:55

My daughter has been to New York City 🏙️ (on a school trip) the first week of half term and is now back and spending the remainder by going out with friends - Thorpe Park Fright Night with one of her mates, friends' birthdays and Halloween parties and horse riding daily (but she does that during term time as well) 🏇

TeamGeriatric · 29/10/2023 06:12

We live on the border of 2 council areas, our oldest started Year 7 in September and is now in a school in a different council area to the youngest. The youngest was off all of last week but the older one only finished school on Thursday and is off all next week. We drove up to the Lake District after she finished school on Thursday, we live a couple of hours away, but are heading home today for the youngest to go back to school tomorrow. We've had a good weekend up here the weather has been good enough for walking. I took the younger one into the nearest city to spend some of his birthday money last week and we did a couple of Halloween themed outings, pumpkin picking etc, he definitely missed his siblings company though. Probably end up doing something similar with the older one next week. We do often go abroad in October half-term but clearly wasn't a viable option this year for us.

Mountainviewse · 29/10/2023 14:53

What Halloween events did everyone do?

Muchtoomuchtodo · 29/10/2023 21:27

Mountainviewse · 29/10/2023 14:53

What Halloween events did everyone do?

None yet!

Carving pumpkins tomorrow and then a party and trick or treating on Tuesday

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