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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To REALLY hate half term...

51 replies

curiousgeorgie · 13/02/2012 18:57

Its probably going to become really hypocritical of me when my own DD is older, but at the moment she is 15 months and half term is a nightmare!!!

Against my better judgement and because it was raining I took her to softplay, and the toddler area was filled with much older kids, throwing balls from the ball pool, parents nowhere to be seen. It got so crazy I had to leave. (After asking the staff many times to remove the older children.)

There is nowhere to go!!! Everywhere is too full... I'm bored!!!! (And I supsect a massively bored DD by this time tomorrow :(

What do those of you with smaller children DO for this hideous week!!

OP posts:
Gertiegoolash · 13/02/2012 19:02

YANBU but I hate it because my DCs are 12 and 5, and trying to find stuff to do to please them both is a struggle, also because I work in a school all my holidays are still spent with kids, can't get away from the little feckers Grin

jasminerice · 13/02/2012 19:05

I know what you mean. Mine are older now so it's not too bad. But I remember that age, all the toddler groups close for the hols and there's nothing to do. Have you tried the library, 1 o' clock club runs all year if you have one in your area, museums, galleries?

stressheaderic · 13/02/2012 19:09

I love half term.
I am a teacher, and I hate the fact that on my only time off, there will be roadworks everywhere and kids everywhere, and everywhere I want to take my 2yo DD to for a treat (eg.museum) will be heaving.

Nevertheless, DD and I have had a lovely first day off today, went for a little ride on the bus, fed the ducks, made a den at home. It had been so lovely to spend some proper, unrushed time with her.

With respect, you have many many other weeks of the year to enjoy soft play in peace.

Shutupanddrive · 13/02/2012 19:12

Try having one that is older (6yrs) and a younger one (22months) together and find something for them both to enjoy at same time!

DamnBamboo · 13/02/2012 19:13

YABU.

I love half term.

I have two in school, one in nursery and I look forward to having them all together with me so we can visit and do stuff together and with friends.

It's one week, you have so many other weeks and things to do with very young children.

If your daughter is bored after just one day out of a routine, then you really have bigger issues.

How can a little child be bored by not being at soft play for one day.

SardineQueen · 13/02/2012 19:16

YANBU

DCs 4 and 2
I have some kind of nasty cold and aches and things
DH working 7 day stretch so was at work over weekend as well
DCs driving me bananas

Yark.

SardineQueen · 13/02/2012 19:17

Mind you I spend my life trying to get away from them so may not be generally representative of other, nicer parents Grin

BsshBossh · 13/02/2012 19:21

I like half term - no need to get up and out in the morning and can stay in our PJs for as long as we want to. DD is 3.5 but at preschool so I have her for te week. I never plan on going to our usual haunts during half term but instead we organise family and friends to come over each day (different ones each day) or go visiting them; also a couple of playdates with her friends. Te week goes really quickly.

MissCoffeeNWine · 13/02/2012 19:22

When my DD was smaller I never even noticed when it was half term. Especially at 15 months - when she was a baby that small she was still coming to all the 'grown up' places with me. I know I'm lucky round here there are hundreds of things to do, I wouldn't frequent somewhere like soft play ever during half term as they are frankly horrible places with not a lot to do!

Surely lots of 'baby' activities are quieter than normal as people with older children are excluded stay at home?

SixtyFootDoll · 13/02/2012 19:24

YABU, it only a week in you're life. There are better ways toms pens time that grotty soft play Amy way.
Don't be so precious.

BsshBossh · 13/02/2012 19:24

This is how our week is looking:
Monday - playdate at another house
Tuesday - as Monday but different friend
Wedesday - DH has taken the day off :)
Thursday - Grandma and her Nanny both spending the day here
Friday - seeing a friend and her DD at her house

voddiekeepsmesane · 13/02/2012 19:49

I remember when ds was little we avoided softplay etc when school holidays were on. Be thankful that it is obnly 13 weeks of the year that yopu have to avoid the crowds. It woill be soon enough that you will have no choice when they are at school :)

DamnBamboo · 13/02/2012 19:49

Similar to my week Bssh

lockets · 13/02/2012 19:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CalmaLlamaDown · 13/02/2012 21:17

How on earth did we survive before the widespread proliferation of 'softplay'?

YABU

SardineQueen · 13/02/2012 21:30

Valium
Gin

I think?

lizardqueenie · 13/02/2012 21:37

Aww feeling slightly sorry for curious here (if that's allowed). I know exactly what you mean- DD is 15 months old too & isn't walking yet but is fed up of being in the buggy (& I'm fed up of trying to contort her into it). Thankfully we've got quite a busy week planned -at home today, one baby group still running tomorrow & going into town, swimming & lunch on wed, just joined Gymboree which we have on thurs and although it's shockingly expensive it doesn't stop during hols, fri- visiting family.

Mumof1plustwins · 13/02/2012 21:42

YABU
There's so much more you can do!
Soft play is overrated!
I love half term because it means I can relax at home when DD doesn't wake me at 6am!
Get jobs done,
finally go for that dental check up
Visit friends for coffee or invite them over
Go to ToyRus for DDs birthday (she's very excited) Grin
And just take my time with everything!

WorraLiberty · 13/02/2012 21:45

Amazingly enough, many kids survive without soft play Grin

SnapesMistress · 13/02/2012 21:49

YABU, I'm on a PGCE and would have killed either myself or someone else by now if I didn't get a break.

I don't have any children though.

lockets · 13/02/2012 21:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Busyoldfool · 13/02/2012 21:56

Never been to softplay - don't think they had it when mine were little. We used to go to the park and visit friends and family. Now I like Half term as have the kids home and am free from that dreadful school routine.

SharkBite · 13/02/2012 21:56

Harvey Nicks was dead quiet today Grin

Primark, on the other hand was pandemonium Hmm

WannaBeWildCosMyLifesSoTame · 13/02/2012 21:57

Sorry but you can go to softplay any time, people with school-age kids can only go to places like that in the holidays. I hate the fact that everywhere that's fun for kids is heaving during the holidays but it's just the way it is and unlike you, we can't go at any other time (although softplay is my idea of hell so I avoid that if I possibly can, the combined smell of stale ketchup and sweat is one I can happily live without). Enjoy term time with your LO while you can!

Madeyemoodysmum · 13/02/2012 22:21

I love school holidays but the winter ones are a lot harder and expensive.
In winter we do a mix of playdates with friends, soft play with friends Maybe a cheap cinema trip for example the sat morning pics and a day with granny so I get a break mid week.
In summer it's picnics. Lazy garden days. Meets with friends at various parks and the odd day at a theme park or historical home with lovely gardens for lazy picnics etc.
I will really miss these times when they are grumpy teens

However I remember dreading holidays before the kids started school as well so yanbu