Am officially sick of the school holidays now

[Dawnybabe]

And she's only 4

Have utterly had enough of dd1 today. She's been a pain in the arse all day. She's had the tele on, she's been out in the paddling pool, we've done some colouring in, baking, had nanny round for a bit and dd1 has still managed to be disruptive, disobedient, downright bloody cheeky and just thoroughly piss me off. And now she's managed to cover dd2 in Vix. How the hell do you get that stuff out of hair?

I'm not exactly sure where I've gone wrong today. I'm telling her till I'm blue in the face and she's either ignoring me or disobeying me the minute my back is turned. If I can't get her to do as she's told now how the hell will I manage her when she's older?

Cognitive That really made me laugh it sounds wonderful in your house.

Another here for benign neglect - tried and tested after reading it on MN.

I agree with poshbag They have to get REALLY bored to appreciate fun. I tried this by week 3 after we had had 5 days away in a cheapy mobile home with friends.

DS became a demanding whingbag and I just told him to do what he wanted to have fun with the agreement he tidied up. It actually worked!!

Last week we had weddings/ birthdays everyday including his and he has managed since to entertain himself with his new toys and is asking for less.

A few trips to pools/ cinema as well as usual parks have been recieved much more gratefully.

Again it's a doubled edged sword for me as term time = work.

Move to Scotland - they've been back at school for 10 days now!!

I hear you, Dawnybabe.
It's about this time in the summer that I start to lose the will to live. DH is fond of reminding me (as I rant in tears) that I do this every summer in the last week of August. One cannot spend every waking moment with small children without going just a little bit mental. Sometimes packing everybody up for a walk or errand helps to switch gears from constant-pestering mode. Sometimes sitting everyone down for a story is nice. Sometimes a large glass of wine at 4pm is nice too .

YANBU you are not a bad mummy either. Some days it is really boring and hard. Our kids are so lovely and we know we are lucky to have them but even so it is still difficult to keep everyone amused, happy and sane for this long old stretch. Hope tomorrow is better!

Believe me, I will not be sniffling at the school gate at the first day of school. I will skip.

I have two beasts 4 year olds, who most days sound just like your DD1 - I feel your pain. To be fair, they have been less feral today, but I will doubtless pay for it tomorrow.

So it's definitely not just me then.
My dd's are 4 and 2. So really this is probably the first time I've suddenly had them both at home for a long period of time after just getting used to them being at pre-school.

Apple says it gets better as they get older. Without wishing their time away my god am I looking forward to that!

Poshbag and Pop, you are sooooo right.

I feel better already. You're all so lovely.

I have just done a 2 hr round trip taking DD1 to a coach pick up to go to Creamfields music festival. HUGE relief that she is gone! When they are older its tough in a totally different way.
Now just me and DD2, 11yrs. Got to juggle a days work and put up a marquee for village event. So busy day.
I hate the thought of looking forward to beginning of term, makes me cry to find time with kids frustrating. i dont want to feel like this.
We put ourselves under so much pressure to do so much and be so perfect. Well, i havent hoovered for weeks and the laundry is overflowing. So there, and i dont care!
My aim is to be patient with DD2 and just involve her with the chores and try to make some fun at some point in the day.
Right, where are me wellies?