Am I the only one who feels like this? School holidays

[YouareNOTfat]

I feel as though I hear a lot of people saying that they dread the school holidays, or can't wait for the kids to go back.

I don't feel like this at all, don't get me wrong ds drives me mad at times, but I'm going to miss him like mad when he goes back.

Might he because I'm back at work too, but I love the holidays, no routine, freedom, it hasn't been as difficult as I thought keeping him occupied, and I've saved a fortune in petrol and after school care.

Am I the only one who can't wait for the next holiday.

[Flossiechops]

Not a cat in hells chance that would happen in my profession. I work in a team of 12 women all with school aged kids and only 3 can be off at once! I only work 3 days though so it's not too bad

[MarshaBrady]

I quite enjoy the not running around for school stuff.

But they are very long and this last week I have been ready for school to start again.

[MammaTJ]

I work and continue to work through the holidays. I work nights, so go without sleep. Add that on to the fact that my DD has ADHD, I am sure of it, just yet to get a diagnosis and it makes the holidays really tough.

Nice for those who don't have to work, and find holiday times very chilled, but for most of us, that is not reality!

[Beastofburden]

Sympathy MammaTJ. If it helps, the rest of my working year is pretty damn busy- August is what helps me survive, not least as two of mine are disabled so childcare for them otherwise costs a fortune.

[ouryve]

Mine have spent most of the holidays fighting. And DS1 has just gone into another mood, is destroying things, being downright spiteful and is refusing to leave the house so we can all get some fresh air.

In fact, he has spent a good portion of almost every day ranting at us and telling us to get rid of DS2. Wednesday will bring its own problems but can not come soon enough.

[BsshBossh]

Yes, I work from home and can be extremely flexible with my hours which certainly helps with a stress-free holidays. So I work like a maniac before the holiday so I can take the six weeks off; if I need to work then I can do so while DD is asleep at night and also when she's at a day-long activity. Also, she's an only child and though only 5 is quite self-contained/independent and plays really well on her own.

[Beastofburden]

ouryve I always found that by the end of holidays they were more than ready to go back to school....

[valiumredhead]

Me too, I'll miss ds. Dh went back to work today it's so quiet

[valiumredhead]

I love caravans Mrs d,I spent my first 5 years in one, lots of happy memories. That sounds great, glad you've had a nice time

[LittleMissGerardButlerfan]

I like the rest of the holidays but struggle with the six week holidays.

My boys can play nicely together sometimes but after a couple of weeks they fight more and bicker.

It also can get expensive trying to entertain them for 6 weeks, not too bad this year with the better weather.

I love them to bits and only work weekends so am lucky that I don't have to fork out for childcare but feel that the time we have after school is much more quality time.

I am exhausted now and my house is a tip but whilst I will be glad to get things in order and have a routine I will miss them a bit when they go back.

[Beastofburden]

hugs to mrsdevere. I have two with SEN and i love the long holidays BUT I dont attempt to go anywhere, ever. We just enjoy home. Its less stress for me than going to work and juggling childcare and such like.

Especially as DSs school finishes at 2.30 on Fridays, as so many kids have a long commute (its a SEN school so wide catchment) that it is easier for traffic. But for me tis a freaking nightmare as my carer isnt available till 3.15 and they have no option for him to stay at school until 3pm because of course if your kid has severe disabilities you wont be at work so I have to go home myself for 30 minutes not that i am stabby or anything

Want to be home not back at work howls at moon

[Beastofburden]

My mum works for Mencap and they have a little collection of caravans and the like that they rent out cheaply I think. Worth looking into if the finances get threatening.

The weather was a help this year, no? DS was playing with water in the garden without hypothermia, surely a plus...

[CalamityGin]

same here Op - this holiday has flown by and me and DD have had a brilliant time - good weather helps. I'll really miss the "freedom" of just going with the flow and taking things at our own pace.

But, that said I do enjoy my own company so I think I'll survive until the next holiday, somehow ... boxset

[FreudiansSlipper]

i have loved the school holidays it was ds first year at school. i feel he is ready to go back now and i am ready for us to be in more of a routine

we were busy for the whole holidays and he is more tired than ever but it has been great i am sure tomorrow i shall feel a little sad but only 7 weeks until the next holiday

[Soditall]

Even though 3 of our 5 DC have been hard work for some of the 6 weeks holiday,I still wish we had longer before they all had to go back to school.

Our 5DC have slept in for the the first time ever over the school holidays and it's been lovely to not be up by 6 am in the morning which is the time our 11 year old and 5 year old are usually both up by,they're both disabled so we go with the flow.

I'm also disabled now and it's been lovely not having to force my poor aching body out of bed in the morning before it's ready and being able to tell our littlest(she's only 5 and disabled)that no it's not school today you get to spend all day with Mummy which gets met by lots of hugs and cheering which is lovely.

Also not looking forward to the pack lunch making,traffic on the way to school,endless school letters asking for things and last minute notice about costumes ect needed and endless amount of homework to watch over.

[Brandnewbrighttomorrow]

I have three, two at school and one preschooler. It's funny how the dynamic has changed each summer they've been at school. It took a good fortnight last year for them to settle into being together, this summer it only took a couple of days. I'd love to have them home for longer.

[Bowlersarm]

No I don't feel like you. After 8 weeks I've just shooed them out of the front door with a massive sigh of relief.

The next school holiday is only too soon.....

[Sparklymommy]

I love the holidays in principle. I am a SAHM and have four aged 10-4. My baby has her first day in reception on Monday. However, I do think the summer hols are a bit too long, and the Christmas ones too short. I would much prefer four weeks at Christmas and four weeks in the summer.

[GibberTheMonkey]

I want to send my older three back. The eldest two especially need school. but I don't want my baby to school I'm going to miss my little friend

[Takver]

I think it depends

• how many dc you have
  
• how old they are
  
• your working patterns
  
• how much spare cash you have
  
• how your dc are at school
  
  Right now I have been dreading the end of the holidays to the extent that DH & I have been seriously considering HE. DD has been a dream, no meltdowns, incredibly constructive, lovely to be with. (She is starting secondary, they are meant to be really inclusive / good with all dc so fingers crossed it will all work well for her & everything will be fine)
  
  She is 11 & we are self employed so she can help out at work & get on with her own stuff.

[stealthsquiggle]

I work FT, but DH and I both can work from home quite often. That being so, even though it involves a lot of advance planning and juggling, the holidays are somehow much more relaxed than term time and I am not looking forward to the DC going back next week, when we collectively revert to being permanently late or worrying about being late for something.

OTOH I don't have to do packed lunches in term time whereas I generally do for assorted holiday clubs I bloody hate packing lunches

[wordfactory]

Someone else was saying this to me yesterday.

I explained that I do enjoy the holidays and I love to do things with my DC, but they are rather long (seven/eight weeks).

I'm itching to get back to my work. Work I love. I'm itching for a quiet space to start the creative process.

[MarshaBrady]

Me too Word, I start getting very jumpy when I can't work.