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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Do you actually enjoy the school summer holidays?

144 replies

KrayKray00 · 21/07/2017 18:20

Because I don't. I dread it. The thought of it makes me so sad

And I know it is a horrid thing to say! My DS only broke up this afternoon and I've already shouted at him yes, I feel awful about it I know I'm terrible

I have a 6yo and 2yo and all they do is bang, yell, shout, fight and bicker. They are so loud, the walls are thin enough you can hear a fart through them so I bet the neighbour hates me as it is.

We are going abroad for two weeks which I am looking forward to but the rest of the holiday at home I am dreading. OH/Dad works mon-sat and I am a student so I'm off too. I cannot afford day trips out to nice places, and I am even worrying about feeding them a mixture of food rather than a sandwich for lunch every single day without breaking a budget - 6yo is "fussy" no pasta or rice...

All the summer clubs are sports or arts related which my 6yo isn't a fan of and I've had to cut nursery hours back to one day a week as I can no longer afford it (whilst I am at home)

All the other Mums were really happy the holidays are here and I just smiled with envy. How?! Why?

What do you do to break the days up, keep them occupied? Do you enjoy the holidays? Surely I can't be alone

OP posts:

Rosieposy4 · 21/07/2017 19:11

I love them ( secondary science teacher 😀😀)
However even when my kids were little like yours i still loved them, long periods of time to unwind and be kids. Mine used to spend hours building dens, digging giant holes in the shrubbery and making treehouses. They all also really enjoyed baking, painting, sandpits etc, thoug i realise that some of the above are not helpful if you have no outside space

Original poster

KrayKray00 · 21/07/2017 19:12

elQuinto that's a great idea!!

OP posts:

noblegiraffe · 21/07/2017 19:15

2 and 6 is a difficult combination of ages, the two year old isn't independent, can't walk far, you still need a buggy etc but the 6 year old is and finding stuff for both is tricky. Mine are now 4 and 8 and I think it's going to be much easier.

If you've got a garden, investing in some summer toys like a sandpit, paddling pool, bubble mix, a football can be worth it as they can play with different things.

TearsOnTheGround · 21/07/2017 19:19

I dread them too tbh. This year I have been putting money aside since march because last year it was a struggle with not much money. I'm pleased with what I have saved and worked out I can use my club card Tesco vouchers which I have been saving to pay for a day trip to Longleat. I appreciate not everyone can put money aside, I'm not loaded either by any stretch, but it is nice knowing I can afford trips out this year .

ElfrideSwancourt · 21/07/2017 19:21

Your 6yo could do Summer Reading Challenge at the library- it's free and really good fun- lots of stickers and a medal and certificate when you complete it.

MissSmiley · 21/07/2017 19:21

I used to dread them when the children were younger. I completely get where you're coming from. It's hard work. My youngest is 7 now and I'm actually looking forward to it. Things won't be the same forever.

Stillwishihadabs · 21/07/2017 19:22

Have a bit of a rota, so Monday swimming, Tuesday library, Wednesday park, Thursday free museum (if you have one), Friday beach. In terms of lunches I do what the dcs call vegetarian sausage rolls ( potato, cheese and onion in pastry) they could help make them, also hummus and veggi sticks one day to mix it up. Something we used to love was an indoor picnic. Also check out kids club morning cinema ours is £1:50

Natsku · 21/07/2017 19:32

I love not having to worry about bedtime! DD has only had a three weeks of holiday so far (normally where I live the summer holidays start the first week of June!) and my parents visited for two weeks of it so its been really easy so far, and its only a couple more weeks before school starts.

Apart from the two weeks with my parents we've not been doing days out - next weekend we will do a lot because its the town festival but apart from that most days we just see what happens - enjoy a nice lie in (I know I'm really lucky in that respect as DD loves a lie in), she plays out a lot, we go for walks in the forest or bike to town, and just chill a lot and eventually go to bed. I really like not having to stress about having dinner at a certain time or getting her into bed on time.

Brighteyes27 · 21/07/2017 19:34

If you are an HE student on a low household income with kids you may be entitled to some benefits over the summer, it's worth a try.

Personally I love the school hols it doesn't always go to plan and some days are much worse than others but I look forward to spending more time with my DC's in the summe r and always have. Now they are 12 and 13 so need and see me less and less but still a fair bit.

I would definitely try and team up with another mum day simple day trips with a packed lunch to the park, beach, swimming baths or wherever or play dates at each other's houses are much more fun all round it the kids and a friend can entertain one another some or most of the time.

Their are usually plenty of free events organised by local councils.
Our library has a free reading challenge ours used to enjoy with gimmicky give aways and it's educational. Walks are free and kids that age usually like to be involved in collecting stones shells or whatever is nearby.

Doing a picture with chalk outside or on the back of a sheet of wallpaper outside etc etc etc.

Watch a film have a nice day with popcorn, have a PJ day, build an indoor den.

Childhood is only short probably only up until about age 14 (depending where you live and availability/accessibility of school friends) that's 14 summers.

Tomorrow is another day try not to cram too much in and enjoy the hols.

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 21/07/2017 19:41

elQuinto, thank you, that is a briilliant idea which I will steal.

I have a combination of being glad we are off and dread . Behaviour is an issue and I know this 6 weeks with me mostly off work is a great opportunity to improve things. I am also very ready for some slightly more relaxed mornings.

OTOH, behaviour is an issue so it is going to be a looooong 6 weeks. They will play together but also argue and the house will be a mess. If we had unlimited money I would be looking forward to it as we could do loads of stuff.

GreenTulips · 21/07/2017 19:42

Get back on FB - use a different name/new email address

Like all the local attractions and selling sites - freecycle etc - toy swap

You don't have to be friends with anyone!! Yet still get the information - unfortunately it's the only was some groups advertise

Look at the fire station as well they havefundays - some local parks round up kids for cricket or water fights - look up to see if any out to play schemes - or suggest them to the council for children's centre to run

BabychamSocialist · 21/07/2017 19:43

Yep, as a teacher I'm glad of a break. DS1 and DS2 will be off to their grandparents on Sunday so we'll get two weeks to ourselves to relax. Luckily, they're 16 now so they mostly make their own plans but we'll be going on our two week family holiday at the end of August together.

scrabble1 · 21/07/2017 19:46

I dread the 6 weeks. Ds has adhd. He wakes up early and constantly needing attention. Just us two most days for 13 or so hours. Going out is a challenge and leaves me wired and shattered

littlemissangrypants · 21/07/2017 19:57

I used to love summer hols with my ds. They are 15 months apart and were best friends when they were younger.
We would go for walks, climb trees and get out in nature building dens. We also did a lot of baking and opened the garden and house up to their friends. I regularly had 10-15 kids in and out all summer , every summer. I thought nothing of baking with that many kids and making pizza or whatever.
We never had much money but our summers were always a good laugh with plenty of board games and adventures. The boys also had one week away each year with their gran so they also got to have time away from home too. It also gave me one week of freedom to do my own thing. We managed that kind of summer until the kids were 10 and 11.
The boys are 16 and nearly 18 now. Their summers are all about friends, girlfriends and computers now. I don't half miss those summer days with my little boys running riot.

limon · 21/07/2017 20:13

Like most parents I work so i dont get to spend the holidays with my child. I hate it.

Toysaurus · 21/07/2017 20:27

I love the summer holidays. Mine with their ASD hate school and it's so much more relaxed. The six weeks go so fast. We don't have hardly any money but do have zoo memberships and at Bristol memberships. I find those really useful and really good value for money over a year.

Luckymummy22 · 21/07/2017 22:00

I think just having a 2 year old is bloody hard. The though of a 2 year old and a 5 year old fills we with dread.
So far tonight we've had hitting, trying to bite, fighting over the remote control, fighting over their drinks, fighting over who gets the best spot at story time.
Basically just non stop fighting.
I can't deal with 6 weeks of this lol.
Only joking, the days I go to work will be fine 😂

Lilybensmum1 · 21/07/2017 22:18

It's tough, in theory it sounds great but for me I'm working so the kids are farmed about, and when I'm not working I'm looking after other kids so the parents can look after my kids so I can work.
I'm trying not to get stressed this year and have planned various cheap days out, we are not going on holiday so 6 weeks feels like a really long time 😩. I keep telling myself they are only young once, I will stay calm this year.

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 21/07/2017 22:19

Lucky

natwebb79 · 21/07/2017 22:26

I hear you OP. I have a 3 year old and nearly 6 year old who adore each other but wind each other up CONSTANTLY. 13 hours a day for 6 weeks will not be a 'holiday'. Solidarity, sista!

Brighteyes27 · 21/07/2017 22:32

Limon I work part time and try to save most of my holidays and TOIL for the main school holidays. Unlike others I don't have grandparents and family members to 'farm them out to' and none of our friends have a boy and a girl a year apart so nothing really fits for anyone to have both of them but now they are older and I work 5 mins away from home it's much easier. In the past when under 12 they did attend holiday clubs on my odd days in work but I usually have at least 4 weeks off in the summer (I get 6 weeks holidays).

isittheholidaysyet · 21/07/2017 22:34

I love them.
No early getting out for school. (When they were young obviously I had to get up early still, but could lounge in pjs and have leisurely breakfast)
No worries about mealtimes or strict bedtimes.
Kids can just relax and play.
(I've always been very relaxed about TV and computers, so that helps)

Sleepyblueocean · 21/07/2017 22:34

No. Ds has severe sn and there are no activities he can attend, no respite (his behaviour is too challenging ) and he needs constant watching the whole time he is awake. I like spending time with him but 6 weeks without a break is too long.

elisa2502 · 21/07/2017 22:44

Yep! I'm a teacher!

Haudyerwheesht · 21/07/2017 22:52

I do enjoy them but that doesn't mean I don't get stressed too!!! Also it depends on your kids personalities I think - mine have never been the type to enjoy cosy movie afternoons and long lies - mores the pity!

My kids are 6, nearly 7 and 10. So a bit older than yours.

We are 3 weeks in with 4 to go here - went away for first 2 weeks and this week we've had friends round, went to the park, made slime , played outside ALOT etc etc etc...

It's hard work though - and was harder when they were younger. Getting out helps! Around here there are lots of free things - beach, park, local shopping centre has events, water stones runs activity days, library, cheap swimming etc etc

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