To find the school hols REALLY hard?

[Shoegal0305]

7 weeks of desperately trying to find free things to do is far too much! Skint 100% of the time. Lone parent. Only family I have live 40 miles away and my car is 16 years old so don't take it out of the town I live in for fear of it breaking down! My DS does a lot of sporting stuff early morning and later evening but during the day it's so hard to find stuff to do and it seems everyone and their dog are off on 'family' days and/or abroad!!!

I don't understand my friend's constant need to plan every week of the holidays. This morning my dc have played independently (while I drink coffee and mn) and we're having a lazy free day. Currently watching TV and one dd is playing wii. We'll take a picnic somewhere close by later like a park - not decided yet.
My dc have so much stuff but holidays is the only time they look at half of it. Days out are lovely but so is chilling at home.

It sounds like they are doing plenty. Down time is important so don't worry too much.

I agree about having lots of lazy dayS but it gets a bit monotonous every day! Only me and my son at home so I get bored too sitting on my own whilst he is on his Xbox. Would be nice to do picnics etc but literally live day to day money wise so even that needs to be planned plus my DS is at an age where just me and him is 'boring' he wants his friends involved but they are all busy.

Why does he need something to fill every minute. Let him be bored for a while he will find things to do. And don't compare yourself to what others are doing.

I think I find it hard awaits EVERY single day. It's hard not to compare to what others are doing. I get fed up with being alone. Been on
My own for 9 years and every summer hol is the same. Feel as tho I'm letting my son down.

I'm not talking amazing picnics - dc will have a sandwich each and crisps plus a drink.
Your son sounds older - why not get him to teach you x box and play with him a bit. Play days do help - can you set something for next week?

You're not letting him down.
If he says he's bored I'd give him jobs (but I'm mean :-D)

I work, albeit part time, so he's now of an age where I leave him at home alone so if his friends aren't about he gets really bored. When he was small I used to have to rely on exes family who live 100 miles away as my family no support. As I say I suggest picnics etc, and they are cheap ones lol, but he's not interested if it's just me and him.

It is FAR harder when you only have one child imo.

Oh op you aren't letting him down at all. You're doing the best you can. Does he not have any friends in your area or someone he is friendly with? Have you had a look at any free stuff to do in your area?

How about a trip to the library? You could borrow books, DVDs, games etc, including for yourself, if you're bored too!

I know it's not a nice trait and it's only on here I would admit it, but I get really jealous of everyone who have families. Not necessarily partners, but mums, dads, grandparents etc. and I KNOW I don't know what goes on behind closed doors and I KNOW everyone has there problems, but I feel really excluded due to not being able to drive far (old unreliable car!) and having no money, and it does seem, In fact this is true, 90% of the people I know are abroad or on holiday in their family groups right now. I don't wish them any bad feeling for this of course I don't but it highlights how alone I feel me and my son are.

AuntyMag yes he does have plenty of pals but I'm not exaggerating when I say every one of them are either on holiday or doing something with their families. My son gets fed up as I do with the constant knock backs. He tries everyday to contact someone he either gets I reply or they say they are busy.

It must be hard OP.

In our area the council do free swimming during summer hols for all school age kids.

Most libraries are doing Summer Reading Challenge which is fun if he likes reading.

Does he have friends he could meet up with?

Sorry just saw answer re friends.

Oh shoe I feel your pain. I'm miles away from my family and I miss them so much it hurts, not to mention really wishing I could just do stuff with close family and friend's not just in the hols but in the weekends. Also skint and trying to cobble together activities with a shite car! Your not letting him down though- he is loved and that is more important than anything.

Whattodo this is what started my thread, the fact that nobody is about to do things with. He's constantly trying to get folk to play with. They are all busy. As I've said he finds doing things with me alone really boring, fair enough he's a teen why would he want to go stuff just me and him lol xx

Thanks Freeble. No our area don't do free swimming lessons. Wish they did tho it would probably be the same story of unless one or more of his friends could swim he wouldn't want to do it.

Whattodo I need to change my username to 'whattodowithmy1' lol

I've just found out my nephew, who's a year older than my son, has had a birthday party, theme park, and my son wasn't even invited! That feels like a kick in the teeth!

My sons dad has had a foreign holiday this year but didn't take DS. It's not like he can't afford it. Forgive me fellow MNers I just feel like every way I turn sometimes I hit a brick wall!!!

If he's sporty how about seeing if he could help out at a summer playscheme? If he's working under supervision he won't need a DBS check and could share his sport skills with younger children. Try your local council or leisure centre to see if they offer anything.

Alternatively, are you certain your car would break down? My car is also old but it gets me around with some TLC. Check oil, water and tyre pressures and set a limit of, say, 20 miles and go for it.

Instead of just a picnic, what about a hike with a pit stop for food? Get ds to plan it with maps and be "walk leader" and aim for at least half a day.

Summer when you're skint sucks, I've been there.

Seriously, not everyone is off having lovely family days and special treats.

Lots of us are just spending time at home, with bored kids, wondering what on earth to do. . My DS is a teenager and trying to prise him away from his PS is a nightmare. Last week I did take him and a friend swimming and after half an hour they both said 'they'd had enough'.

It sounds tough that your DS's dad isn't more involved and that he wasn't invited to his cousin's party ............ but (easier said than done, I know) try not to compare your life to everyone else's.