Thread for those dreading the summer holidays

[upsincehalffive]

For whatever reason, feel free to share but if not just come and sit somewhere peaceful.

I am dreading it. I don’t want to spend my days baking at the park, lugging picnics no one will eat around national trust places and spending hundreds of pounds I don’t have on keeping my children from killing one another.

Roll on September.

We have 3 full months off here in Ireland. They finished at the end of May. We have the back nearly broken of it now.

Same! I love the days I can afford to take them out and do something fun. But what about all the other days 😩it’s so hard!
mine wind each other up all day and I can’t cope with the noise and arguing
how old are yours? I’ve been searching lots to find free/cheap things to do!

I definitely hear you OP. I’m on my own with mine and have no local friends plus have no family at all for support either, haven’t for decades sadly, and it is a tiring and lonely and expensive part of the year. This does not mean I don’t love my children, of course it doesn’t, but the entire summer holidays is a long time. And yes, I appreciate how fortunate I am only working term-time etc…but I’m just…tired, and it would be nice to be able to say this more!

What did you think would happen when you had kids!?!

You really need to change your perspective for your children's sakes. Also bring picnics they WILL EAT.

@HippoPottyMouth it is hard. You have a routine and then it’s all out of sync and leaving the house is hard, staying in it is harder - arghh.

I’m not upset @WonderingWanda , but if you could perhaps read my posts they do explain re DH.

@Rainbowstar14 I am trying to train mine out of expecting big days all the time. I have always taken them out a lot because it’s easier but the downside to this is they see wildlife parks and water parks and adventure playgrounds as everyday and I’m trying to train them out of this! We have national trust memberships and an wildlife parks membership and I’ve also treated me us to a gym where they can go in the crèche and I might get an hours peace and quiet!

@MrsPorridgepot working term time only has advantages in terms of childcare but it’s difficult as you get no break at all, from one job to another. And no flexibility either. I am part time though so that’s good.

@Marycontrarygarden they don’t refuse picnics because my picnics aren’t things they eat, they just don’t eat much if anything outside of the home. Changing my perspective on two very young children being hard work and overwhelming isn’t going to happen. But it does seem you’re posting to be deliberately provocative.

@upsincehalffive I've gone back and read your posts and you mention your dh is unwell but is still working. I'm not trying, there is clearly more going on her than you disliking spending time with your kids. I am making an assumption that your dh is too ill to look after the kids which in itself must be putting enormous strain on you. Ibthink the fact remains that you need some time off. I know you've said you don't want to put the eldest in holiday clubs and the youngest is too young but could you look at alternatives like a childminder once or twice a week to give yourself a bit of breathing space? Bit sounds like you are really struggling.

It isn’t that I ‘dislike spending time with my kids’ @WonderingWanda and honestly without turning the thread needlessly argumentative posts like that are not supportive and only you can know if you’re trying to deliver a really low blow or just being very careless with words. Perhaps we could move on, as the thread wasn’t intended to be an argument but for support.

OP I think i responded to a similar post like this approx 5 years ago when my youngest 2 must have been similar ages to yours. I used to really struggle for those long 6 weeks too. The suggestions were great and well meant, but the lived reality of what was actually possible to achieve was something else! So; solidarity!

It's not forever though. Once they get a bit more self-sufficient (or even when just 1 of them does) it gets so so much easier. I know that's stating the obvious but it's true!

I can feel it shifting slowly … Ds did his own seatbelt up the other day 🙌🏻

@upsincehalffive I am baffled that you are interpreting my posts as argumentative or some sort of low blow, this was not my intent but we are clearly not on the same wavelengthand I have prehaps misinterpreted you in the same way you have me. I hope you are able to find a way to dread the summer less (no offence meant, this was the term you used) and I will toddle off to bed.

I’m interpreting posts which say ‘you dislike spending time with your children’ as rather unkindly worded, yes. I was generous and acknowledged it may be lack of tact as opposed to a deliberate attempt to cause upset but having been made aware that you are causing upset it might be helpful to move on.

@upsincehalffive just let them be bored. Apparently it’s quite good for kids. Give them space.

You are the parent and boss. Youaren’t thr animation team or whatever the glib title is.

Take them places you want to show them. Because you want to. Part of being the next generation is dismissing everything you do. So don’t sweat it.

I hear you- also a teacher. I have two children with severe learning disabilities. It is a long time to be out of their usual routine.

I don’t think I’ve really mentioned boredom @2026letsgo . I do think some activities are necessary, especially at this age. Realistically no three year old is going to entertain themselves for hours. I don’t actually think mine are too bad at playing independently but perhaps unlike a lot of children they seem to play better separately. Together arguments break out very quickly and one will inevitably end up frustrated and upset and I have to step in. Yet will they just play separately? No, of course not 🤦🏼‍♀️

@Bobbybobbins that sounds really hard are they at special school term time?