Day one of the holidays and DD has already

[EssieTregowan]

Had a massive tantrum because she's bored. She is THIRTEEN. I thought these days were behind us.

She woke up at 9.30 and by 9.45 was asking what we were doing today. My response of 'er, nothing' was met with a strop.

I suggested lots of things, a round of Rummikub, helping me sort DD's bedroom (sounds weird but she loves doing it), watching a film. Nope. All she wanted to do was take the dog for a walk. In the rain. With me. Or go to a restaurant for lunch (no money and no transport today).

So she had a full on screechy meltdown. Apparently the holidays are for doing exciting things that you don't do usually and I am the most boring mum in the world ever.

My parents popped in and she's gone back with them. So now I feel doubly shit because she'll be doing nothing particular at theirs either but would rather be here than here.

Me and DS2 have played a game and watched some telly and generally mooched and I haven't even seen the fifteen year old yet today.

Is she actually the neediest teenager in the world ever? I'm not sure how we're going to get through the next six weeks. In previous years she's been in childcare so this wasn't an issue but I'm a SAHM now so it falls on me to make her holidays shiny and exciting.

Kill me now.

it's always been a full three months holidays here for secondary schools it definitely hasn't changed.

Yes, I have already acknowledged my error.

1. they are always worse on day 1 and 2 as they haven't wound down yet
2. make a list of helpful jobs, anything from daily chores to one off clean out the shed. Stick it up in the kitchen. When she is bored say she can do a job off the list. If she kicks off, warn her that you can ake the jobs on the list compulsory for any whinging bored teens.

It is amazing how quickly she will find something to do!

sighs ive been off since 20th April and its driving me nuts. But then im also pregnant and finished uni and cant work so ive started 2 art projects/old gcse exams (easily able to look some up online) to keep me occupied.
I also have a load of scrapbooks that need to be completed, including my wedding one. Maybe she could start one of those?

I so would not pander to this sort of immature behaviour from my DD. I can't believe a 13 yr old is still throwing tantrums like this. Sounds to me like you're 10 yrs too late, this attitude should have been nipped in the bud a long time ago.

Having read many of your other posts OP I think it's time you stop giving in and giving your DD what she 'wants' and start giving her what she 'needs'. All too often you seem to be watching TV whilst your DD is clearly showing signs of feeling neglected.

Agree with pp who said it wasn't like that in our day (paraphrasing ). If I'd traipsed down the stairs every morning with "What are we doing today?" my mother would have looked at the 13 year old me like I had two heads. I went out and called on my mates, or vice versa, and if they weren't around I read or did some drawing and listened to music and generally faffed around in my room.

It's hard now with this expectation of full on activity (which often costs a fortune).