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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Well, nearly ending the half term break...honestly, how was it for you?

71 replies

btfly2 · 30/10/2016 01:30

I felt a bit bored, a week of nothingness ( except for two maybe three days) then nothing amazing... Don't know why I keep thinking every school hols are going to be different Yeahh! then...well... they are not ( I have to say the only ones I like are the summer holidays but that's it).
Is just me experiencing this? Plus I don't want to answer the question on Mon at the school playground about what we did/ didn't, etc!!

OP posts:
Mrsantithetic · 30/10/2016 08:40

We've had a nice week. Had lots planned the reality was we did a few bits. Lots of dossing about.

Missed the usual structure of play groups etc but was nice not to have to rush out to nursery on the morning and they even slept in til gone 8 a few mornings which is unheard of.

Be nice to get back to routine on Monday at the same time

griffinsss · 30/10/2016 08:40

We were lucky enough to go on holiday and get outside almost every day in Cornwall (only one day of rain all week....) which was fantastic. I feel so drained now and have never been more thankful for an extra hour of sleep in my life, but it was a good week for us; minimal fighting, no lost children, not so much boredom, and very little moaning even from 17 y/o. It's wasn't some insanely amazing adventure, but it went better than expected.

Lucy7400 · 30/10/2016 08:41

Lovely. We havent done alot. Hung out at home, a teen bit of homework, made some decorations for our party tomorrow, had lots of kids over for friends, watched films and today will go to a park to spot deers. A proper rest .

SageYourResoluteOracle · 30/10/2016 08:52

It's been a mostly lovely one for us:
Aunt of mine who I'm very close to stayed last weekend and we went to the Magic Garden at Hampton Court with DD.
DH took DD to the cinema on the Sunday so I could work (freelance stuff)
Monday we just pottered until it was swimming time whereupon my car started but didn't move- broken calliper (whatever that is) £500 later... gah!
I saw a friend for dinner
DH took DD up to London to meet friends on the Tuesday so I could continue freelance stuff
Then Wednesday until last night, DD and I were in Cornwall staying with friends so we've been on the beach and generally played (the 3 kids) and drank wine. Oh and I did get in a run.
Today we've a Halloween party to get ready for DD. And there are many, many other things to get done.
It's been a wonderful week but, as usual, I've over-organised and probably need to try to do less next school holiday! Not grumbling though. Feel very, very lucky to have the family and friends that we have.

YouJustWouldntLetItLieWouldYa · 30/10/2016 09:01

We spent most of the week away and have another week to go yet 😑

notagainnellie · 30/10/2016 09:01

A very mixed half term here. Ex took the dc for 5 days instead of the agreed four, and that caused me a lot of stress. So I started with a quiet few days cleaning, catching up on school work and getting the MOT done. The dc were visiting ex's family, going to parks and a motor museum.

When I finally got them back we did a walk through the woods to Ikea (my favourite aspect of where we live!) for an ice cream and a new blanket; a day at an NT place with a massive hill to climb; a day at home sorting toys etc and yesterday we went to Greenwich. We drove from the Midlands, found an excellent inexpensive place to park (would prefer train but the cost is prohibitive) and had a really lovely day ended by a meal in a lovely place in Blackheath. Definitely doing that again.

Today I am recovering from the drive and ds1 is making a ship based on one he saw yesterday. He is not gifted in the craft department and neither am I, but he is very happy with his creation. Ds2 has made a stage (thrown some glitter around and some has stuck on a shoe box) and is waiting for me to come off here so he can get on youtube and blast out some MLP tunes with his ponies 'singing' on their stage. He will provide the vocals - loudly.

Don't want tomorrow to come.

superking · 30/10/2016 09:01

Found it a bit of a struggle which surprised me as the summer was ok. First time I have really noticed how much pre school wears the 3 year old out - we had to stay home a lot due to poorly baby and various appointments (plumber etc) and he was just a bundle of suppressed energy and very hard work. Managed to get out for the day on Friday though and that was lovely, particularly as both children had a nap when we got home so I had a blissful hour of mumsnet and coffee whilst they slept.

donajimena · 30/10/2016 09:07

A bit boring to be honest as mine are older and don't want to go out so much.
Its also been very grey all week. I have enjoyed not having to do school runs though!

operaha · 30/10/2016 09:31

Lush, just me and youngest went on holiday, plus had a new baby in the family when we got back.
Boo to school tomorrow.

Haggard1 · 30/10/2016 10:22

I'm looking forward to going back to work! I usually don't as we normally have lots of fun. My two DCs have had tonsilitus and nightmares/hallucinations for the best part of the week and DP went down with it on Friday. Not ideal as had DDs birthday yesterday.

I'm completely frazzled and have yet to carve pumpkins with the DC. Haloween Sad

Rainydayspending · 30/10/2016 10:26

I've enjoyed it. But my 10 year old seems increasingly determined to hate me, which has made it akward for us all to relax. We've done fun things that the children will enjoy but I'd rather not be reflecting back on how many hurtful things I have to brush under the carpet (after my childhood of being verbally abused daily I find it very shattering emotionally).

Rainydayspending · 30/10/2016 10:27

*did enjoy. Of course!

nokidshere · 30/10/2016 10:43

Bliss here Grin

I only work term time so had the week off. My older teen was abroad with school for part of the week, the younger one hanging out and about with friends.

Lots of chilling, chatting and generally doing nothing. A perk of having teenagers Smile

Lis1 · 30/10/2016 10:52

I've had a busy week off but honestly loved it. DS played football a lot of it so I managed to catch up with a few friends and do some Christmas shopping.
Also took DS to a Halloween party, football match, visited family, had a bike ride, made halloween biscuits to decorate and took him out to soft play with his friend. Apart from that we've 'camped out' downstairs, watched movies and played games. Back to work for a rest this week 😂

MauiWest · 30/10/2016 11:02

too short, far too short.

Unfortunately, we can't afford to go away every holiday so we had to stay at home for a week. Got boxes of toys out of the garage where I had been hiding them, prepared a family halloween "party" for yesterday (just make decorations and baked some treats), went in park and walks riding their bikes and scooters, the week just flew by. They even started to build a tree house in the garden.

For me it can get slightly harder when they are older and we don't go away, but they still have friends to meet and activities to do, so school breaks are always welcome and always too short.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 30/10/2016 11:04

IT was my first half term too. DS is at pre-school

It was lovely. We also have a 2 year old and an 11 month old and DS justvstarted pre-school in September so it was just like the not so old days! But luckily DS seems to have made lots of friends so we were invited along to lots if activities. I'm knackered now!

kidssmilesarethebest · 30/10/2016 11:22

It was my first half term as well and tbh it was lovely! I got to spend so much time with DS and we did so many things.

There were Halloween trails and activities going around here the whole week, he had 3 birthdays parties to go from his new school friends, we also went to playgrounds, softplays, library, walked around...it was really enjoyable and far easier than I thought it'd be. I seriously can't wait for his next school break Smile

If I could give one piece of advice it'd be: a little bit of planning ahead helps a lot! All the Halloween activities that I took DS during half term were found on the community local magazine and I cut them off and saved on a pin board in the kitchen so I'd not forget about them when half term came. It worked wonders! Wink

Forgetmenotblue · 30/10/2016 11:28

Very low key here. Am a teacher.

One day trip to a museum. One day of having friends over. One meal out at friend's house. One game of tennis in the park.

Usual holiday stuff like dentist and optician, tidying bedrooms, put summer stuff away. Rest of the time was tv, computer, homework, boring routine shopping trips etc.

Will carve pumpkin today and shop for sweets for tomorrow, that's all, then get stuff school stuff ready.

Sallystyle · 30/10/2016 11:33

Not long enough.

I worked quite a bit and had vomiting children.

Would love another week.

kansasmum · 30/10/2016 11:51

Bloody marvellous!
3 nights in Centerparcs with friend and her ds then 10 nights in Bali with dh and ds! Despite a spot of Bali belly we've had a brilliant time! Beautiful island and lovely lovely people!
Luckily ds gets 2 weeks half term so we could come here.

SittingDrinkingTea · 30/10/2016 12:05

It was rather nice.

We were in Rome Sunday to Wednesday, so warm weather, site-seeing and lovely food.

Thursday DD went out for the day with my DM to a NT place to do their Halloween trail, Friday we did pumpkin carving, put up Halloween decs then went to the park.

Saturday we went to the local theme park for their Halloween event.

tinyterrors · 30/10/2016 13:04

We've had a great time doing absolutely nothing. Partly dictated by lack of money and partly because we've all needed a break from structure.

For once dh managed to get the week off so we've had a lot of lazy days just hanging around the house together. We've seen a few friends and kids have made the most of what will probably be the last chance to play out for a while, I've done a bit of work, but that's it.

It's been lovely getting up when we feel like it instead of running round like crazy every morning to get everyone out the door on time.

crossroads3 · 30/10/2016 13:14

Stressful as h and I are going through a very difficult time which for most people would lead to divorce but I am a coward. Managed to spend most of the week not with him due to one thing and another so at least I have had time to regain some of my self-esteem.

Went abroad on my own for 2 days to meet up with my Dad, and also took my youngest to a museum sleepover on Friday which was great. Those were my highlights. Feel sad generally though Sad.

TheSconeOfStone · 30/10/2016 13:30

We've had a lovely week. I've been on annual leave. A week with a 6 and 9 year old is easier than a week at work.

Loads to do here and we have NT membership. I've tried to keep it relaxed as the kids are knackered from school. DD1 has ASD and school is very tiring for her. She did bikeability and tried sailing this week. Took DD2 swimming with friends. Tried ice skating which was cheap as it was through an SN charity. Took DD1 birthday shopping while her sister was at best friends house. That was lovely. Did a pumpkin trail at an NT property with friends. Lots of TV and playing with toys.

My DDs are at a lovely age where that can switch on the TV and get their own breakfast but they still like my company.

EdgarAllanHo · 30/10/2016 13:37

It was amazing!!! Don't want it to end...mostly bcs i was also off work GrinGrin But also because it was nice to spend time eith dd,be lazy or mess about and chat and play rather than always being rushed and on a schedule.