18m toddler and 6yr old, what did you love?

[NorthOfNormal]

The summer holidays are feeling a bit overwhelming at the minute. I love my girls but I’m just finding the days a little intense!

I’m absolutely fine on the practical side, what we do, where we go etc, it’s all good.

It’s just the emotional and mental side of things.

Toddler DD1.5 is in full adventure mode and needs watching constantly, while DD6 is going through a big emotional/development phase. They both need me in completely different ways, often at exactly the same time. With us all together every day at the moment I think I’m just feeling a bit under equipped, perhaps.

We won’t be having any more kids. I know there are things about these ages together that I’ll look back on and miss, but I’m finding it hard to see it some days.

If you’ve had my summer, please tell me what you loved. What was lovely? What was easier than you realised at the time? What do you miss?

I’m not into the cherish every day philosophy of life. Some days are hard or a bit shit and you just want to skip by them and that’s ok. Thats not what this is.

I’m just looking to borrow your hindsight because I’m tired, but I’m also tired of being tired.

Mine have a similar age gap but now my youngest is 6. They loved (and continue to love) the beach. We’re about a 45 minute drive away but it has always been worth it. And when the weather is nice and we want to maximise our time at the beach I bring pjs so they can sleep on the way home and just accept sandy feet in bed! When they were younger, I’d pick beaches that were more practical over beauty - eg, easy parking, no massive trek over sand dunes, toilets nearby etc. I realise this is terrible advice if you live in the midlands!
We also have national trust and English Heritage membership. That seems excessive but we live in an area where there is a lot of both and they’re both set up so well for young kids. Usually great parks, cafes, activities, special days, clean toilets etc etc etc.

That’s really lovely @vjvhj . So nice when they have shared likes and a guaranteed hit for you!

I have similar and have booked a summer club for the eldest next week. The youngest does part time nursery so on those days I can do something nice with eldest

Thanks @MintChocolate123, yes sometimes I divide and conquer, which is nice snd one to one time is good.

I guess in my middle of the night musings (couldn’t stay asleep), I was thinking more about how when I had just 1 DC I found a number of things difficult that now I find quite easy with practice and the different perspective of having 2 kids to juggle and generally time passing. In some ways I was hoping to find things to enjoy about 2 DC at this age rather than just manage or get through it.
Not sure if that fully makes sense, but lack of sleep has a hold on me right now 😅

Don’t feel bad. Six weeks is a long slog without school if you’re not using any clubs! Finding things to do each day etc!

Similar age kids but they go to nursery and holiday club so I get a break (also work part time) have taken some annual leave. It means on the days their home I can enjoy my time with them a bit more as have had that break. Generally however I’d just say getting out with them in the morning and meeting up with friends as much as possible helps

We only have one child- but try to break up the holidays (hubby to ill to work), and I only work 4 days
Week one with hubby
Week two with a family member
Week three with hubby
Week four with holiday club
Week 5 away
Week 6 hubby/grandparents
On these weeks with him there is a pattern- quiet Monday, Tuesday library and swimming, Wednesday they go out for the day- I work from home, Thursday they do some household jobs- park/bike ride ..
I normally have half terms and some of Christmas off as he struggles more with those holidays

Also take any opportunity you can to just do things with your 6 year old, I’ll often just take the 6 year old with me if visiting family etc as much less stressful and we’ll have a great time or I’ll take the toddler supermarket shopping with me while our 6 year old enjoys helping daddy or just playing with toys without being interrupted by the toddler

I had a smaller gap, but…
It is tough when they are little, I get it completely. You are doing an absolutely amazing job being there for them both all day long. Give yourself credit for being a fantastic mum💐
Things I miss—them needing me(they never do any more apart from occasional lifts and finance), the joy they took in life(very few things give them absolute joy now they are grown), their innocence.
Watching them grow is amazing and seeing them begin to make their own way in life is an absolute privilege, but the times when they are small are so precious—and gone so fast(I know this is a cliche, but honestly it will be gone in a flash—enjoy it).