To tell you all to appreciate half term with your kids, as long as they still need you and want you for their half term activities.

[QuintessentialOldDear]

My sons are now 7 and 11 (soon 8)

They both wanted skateboarding camp for half term.

Granted we went away for some of the bank holiday weekend and did a couple of good hikes and "quality time".

All I am required to do now is drive them to and from camp, and make lunch packs.

Great. I can continue to work. I dont have to take time off. Fantastic.

But, no more trips to the park and playground where I get to enjoy a latte watching them play. No more looking at birds together in the Wetland Center, or marvel together at the beauties of Flowers in the botanic gardens.

They want their own fun, and it does not involve me.

It happened so quick.

Next I will moan that they have flown the nest.

Meh, go with it. I dunno, its horses for courses...there is a balance to be had, but like many things it is all or nothing. Somewhere in between, from birth to teen would be ideal, but it doesn't work that way!

I was thinking the same today Quint. No more trips to the garden centre to see the animals and have an ice cream. No more minging soft play and adventure playgrounds.

DSs are 11 and 13, I am no longer required. Except as a bank and a chauffeur.

Its flipping hard with a couple of toddlers yet with 2 school aged suddenly its super easy, hence why quite a few have a third.

Just one of those things, but the independent age can seem a long time coming for those with just 2

It gets worse

DD (15) left on the 1pm train on Sunday and returns about 5 on Friday

I am redundant

Before they actually used to enjoy a trip to the garden center with me!

Ds2 used to love animals and bugs and nature. Now, he wants to be all "cool".

Of course I enjoy them the way they are, and cherish watching them grow and becoming independent and their own persons, but, it was nice, having small children who enjoyed my company.

Katy But she is doing what she enjoys, right? 15! So old. Yet so young.

Yes, Tatty, I quite see the allure of the 3rd child now.....

But it is just one week. Come the long summer holidays they will want to do things with you again.

your post has made me sad. I have two boys 4 and 2 and this is the future. I took one to the park in the rain today and he ran around like a loon.
We went on steam trains yesterday. It's hard work with them both being little but just lovely.

They used to go to my Mums and do baking, and Mum and Dad took them on nature trails and walks in the woods.

It's all gone.

You are kidding, right?

God we were saying this today.

Took my 3- 9,9 and 8 to a farm with a 9 year old friend.They loved catching newts,trampolines,go karts etc but my 9 year old dtwins didn't want to (gulp) hold the baby pigs.1 sat on the bench with me and my mate after pond dipping- we were like "errr bog off and play".

Then the penny dropped.This may be the last year for farm trips.

I love the hols,will have to borrow some kids.

DS1's favourite response when we have a day out. 'Well I didn't want to come anyway'. Fantastic.

I'm spending half term chaperoning a dozen children in a theatre show dd is in and driving her an hour yo andcfrom thectheatre each day. Tech was bsnk holiday Monday. I am actually in her dressing room thus time - last time I was with the senior girls.

But it will be the last time and no kirwcferryingvher to and from dance classes from now on cause in September she's going to full time performing arts school.

Thanks for the good reminder. I really think it's important to remember how precious this time is, with little ones, because it's not always easy.

Thanks. I needed a reminder today.

Gosh yes - she is loving it

3 days workshop & 2 days rehearsals

Singing & dancing bloody hard work if you ask me but it is fab!!

Thank you, Quint. A good reminder. I feel torn between wanting time with the girls, and wanting to make sure I have stuff lined up to 'do' once they don't need me.

I should just enjoy the time with them.

Mine are 10 and 12 and still enjoy going out with me a lot of the time, but the nature of 'out' has changed - they're girls so they enjoy shopping for clothes , they like doing 'grown up' activities (which aren't always cheap) and yes, there are days when they just want to hang out by themselves, but that's fine by me too.

Wait till they get to 16 and nearly 14 they definitely won't want you then . And the only time they do want you is when they need a money lending/taxi service.

Mine are sooooo grown up but dd and I have had a lovely evening this w/e on the sofa watching buffy (and yes quint - was tipsy) and yestterday we watched Charlie and the Choc Factory. Today she's been to Ken High with a friend. So grown up and yet so small. My DS doesn't even need me to drive him any more. You have lots left to enjoy!

My Mum came round for a cuppa today. I had to ask the boys to come down from their bedrooms to see her, then one of them naffed off out to his mates. Mum said she was just glad to see them happy but I felt sad for her TBH.

I don't know what to do about it, she has been there for them every step of the way since they were born, and now I feel she is losing them.

Mine have occupied themselves most of the day, but tonight, we all watched a film together. It was bliss. Ds1 even snuggled up to me for a few minutes and he's 13!!

That's why I had number 3, so I still have an excuse to go to parks and farms! A couple of years ago I suddenly realised they were the oldest kids at the zoo and thought oh no!