Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Dreading summer holidays

77 replies

CockyPants · 25/06/2012 19:36

Term ends July 6. Return 5 September.
8 weeks of joy.

OP posts:
slatternlymother · 25/06/2012 19:38

Are you a SAHM? Are there no play schemes being run by the school?

WorraLiberty · 25/06/2012 19:38

Blimey that's early Shock

Mine break up July 20th and I can't wait!

PenguinOpera · 25/06/2012 19:39

I'm another one who can't wait

CockyPants · 25/06/2012 19:42

Yup.SAHM who hates glitter felt tip pens and paint. And who would rather put pis in eyes than bake a frigging cupcake...

OP posts:
BadgersRetreat · 25/06/2012 19:43

be grateful you're not in Canada - they broke up last week - go back in September....

AdventuresWithVoles · 25/06/2012 19:47

7-8 weeks here.
Should be ok, I'll be glad to wave them off by the of it.
How old how many & can you pack them off anywhere for a few days, OP?

thestringcheesemassacre · 25/06/2012 19:48

Yes my SIL in Italy dc broke up 2 weeks ago. And they go back 2ND week Sept. Can you imagine?

CheeryCherry · 25/06/2012 19:52

The summer hols are never long enough for me.

CockyPants · 25/06/2012 19:52

1 dd aged 6. She is a bit teenager ish!! I go to bed most nights shattered from all the negotiating!

OP posts:
Bunbaker · 25/06/2012 19:55

Is this a stealth boast?

In England (and Wales I think) state schools break up on 20th July and go back at the beginning of September - 6 weeks. DD will get bored at times, but she has to learn to deal with it.

I have a friend who is contemplating private school for her DD, but the longer holidays mean paying out more in childcare, so it isn't an easy decision for her.

JuicyOrange · 25/06/2012 19:56

Write a list of days and weeks. Put in something fun every other day (ish, more or less depending on age of child) This give you time to do house stuff but also plenty to keep occupied. They always ask 'what are we doing, where can ewe go, or I'm bored' etc and you can answer with 'well tomorrow we are......'. They have enough downtime as well and they dont have to be anything expensive. Picnic in the park, (even in the rain!), geocache, visit new playcentre (obvs. for littlies only!), visit museum, trip to....wherever, if they are young and you usually travel by car, take a trip into town on the bus, just because kids love soemthing different, maybe an icecream once you are in town. If they are older, use the next couple of weeks to get bits and bobs for science experiments, trawl charity shops for board games for rainy days, or get insupplies of big boxes so they can make a castle, car, whatever.

I love school holidays as you can totally chill out about the housework, routine etc and you get time to do all those things you cant after school as there is no time or activites take up what time there is and we are too busy working or doing housework on the weekends.

~Holidays are what you make them. Most importantly, HAVE FUN! :)

LadyBeagleEyes · 25/06/2012 19:57

Scotland break up this week and go back the third week of August.
How come she get's such long holidays?

JuicyOrange · 25/06/2012 19:58

xpost and apols for typos! I have two almost the same ages ( 5 and 6 ) and also a toddler and they would love any of the above suggestions. Especially the science! Not a glitter pen in sight!

slatternlymother · 25/06/2012 19:59

I really would check all the local schools for play schemes then. They do all the arty stuff and sports and various activities, and they can make some new friends too. They are usually pretty well priced, as the kids take packed lunch.

slatternlymother · 25/06/2012 20:00

Perhaps she goes private lady, don't they get longer hols?

WhitesandsofLuskentyre · 25/06/2012 20:08

I hate the holidays - no childcare, and can't afford to take any time off work (self-employed), so poor old DS (only little) is left to his own devices. DDs don't want to do anything with me anyway any more - they have much more fun with their mates. Which is also galling. There's me, slaving away, and they bugger off for the day as soon as they've had breakfast.

AdventuresWithVoles · 25/06/2012 20:08

1x 6yo.
okay, I'll be nice. But ONE child if only I had only ONE child to keep happy.
If she drives you nuts book her in for some holiday club time.
Book up play dates with her fave people.
Find some relatives to go visit together, or the nicest mums you can have coffee with at soft play.
If you can, budget for some days out of her choosing.

shrimponastick · 25/06/2012 20:12

That is a long time to keep them occupied.

However, I dont' think ours are long enough! We have a two and half week hol booked -but want to do so many other things. There just isn't enough time.

Oh, I don't mind not having to make a packed lunch every morning for school too!!! Grin

One good way to keep DC occupied is to invite a friend or two over - or out on a jaunt. Hopefully then they will return the favour and you get a day or two free.

MammaTJ · 25/06/2012 20:14

Posts like this make me glad of where I live, seaside town, with a lovely beach, nice playparks and a holiday centre that we can get in to free if we are lucky!

No swimming pool here though, which is a shame.

I don't mind a bit of glitter, love baking with my kids but not just cupcakes. I have their birthday parties planned for near the end of the hols.

The only thing that worries me is having to try to work as well as look after the kids. I work nights, so child care while working is not a problem. It is my lack of sleep that bothers me. I work Sunday, Tuesday and Wednessday nights. I have paid child care in place for Wednesdays between my to nights. I try to doze on the sofa after my Sunday and Wednesday nights but my DCs are not too cooperative.

MammaTJ · 25/06/2012 20:15

two*

tanmu82 · 25/06/2012 20:18

we're in Canada and ours break up this Thursday and don't go back until 4th September...... I'm part excited and part nervous as hell because it is our first year here so new to such a long school break. I think we will spend many a bored day when the money runs out.....

BsshBossh · 25/06/2012 20:35

Are there any holiday schemes she can attend - eg general ones or those aimed at specific activities eg ballet, drama, football? Are you going away on a family holiday? If you have an OH, can't s/he take some annual leave so you can have a break?

Our summer holiday is 6 weeks but we have one week away, DH is off for another week, then 1 week with her grandma, then 3 half weeks of activites (ballet, drama, singing).

CockyPants · 25/06/2012 21:08

Juicy orange, thanks for the advice, I shall start planning now!
Yes. Dd is at private school. Pay more get less...
Not a stealth boast at all. Sorry to disappoint!

OP posts:
ZZZenAgain · 25/06/2012 21:09

structure it a bit, not every week. That is what I do.

picnicbasketcase · 25/06/2012 21:13

I'm really looking forward to the summer holidays because it's getting harder every day to stir up any enthusiasm from my DC for school, very tired at the end of the year I think. But after about two weeks I'll be longing for September I'm sure.