Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To schedule school holidays like a school day

92 replies

TAMumof3 · 16/08/2017 08:44

Am finding school holidays with 3 children really difficult.

I just don't seem to know what to do with them.

I'm a Teaching Assistant during term time and can only think to schedule their time like a school day - have just informed them that after on-line German practise this morning we'll be having PE by jogging along the roman road at eh back of our house.

I thought this was a nice plan but children very unmotivated, 12year old playing computer game, 10 year old setting tanks up all over kitchen floor and 8 year old listening to audio book.
I can't seem to get any of them up and on the go.

OP posts:
MeltorPeltor · 16/08/2017 08:45

They're playing independently, don't poke the hornets nest! Just leave them to play and be children.

EB123 · 16/08/2017 08:46

YABU it sounds like they don't need you organising them as they are entertaining themselves. Children need to play.

thethoughtfox · 16/08/2017 08:49

Keep your ideas for when they start complaining they are bored. They are all happily occupied; what's the issue?

Note3 · 16/08/2017 08:49

I find some days my children need total downtime all day (tv, play together, bit of play with me say doing craft). Other times they need downtime in the morn (they enjoy not having to get dressed and head out early) then they get stir crazy and head out after lunch. Other days they want out from the off.

If I particularly want to head out I find the best way is to warn them the night before that they will be getting dressed straight after breakfast and will be going out.

There's also a thing on facebook where there's a note saying something like 'you can have as much time on the tablet/tv as you'd like, providing you do x, y and x first' then it lists things like a chore, ten mins on trampoline, completed some work in an exercise book or similar

Some structure is good in my eyes but perhaps your children do need some unstructured days too just like many adults?

EdithWeston · 16/08/2017 08:49

What exactly are you finding difficult?

That's not meant to be an arse you question, btw. But your ideas do seem to be at odds with your DCs, so I was wondering what problems you have been seeing

ThisIsNotARealAvo · 16/08/2017 08:49

If they are fine playing independently, I leave my two to it. Sometimes they get a good game going and spend hours playing it. If they are bickering and complaining they are bored while rejecting all ideas for things they could do, I think there's nothing wrong with a bit of routine. Same reason I send them off to activities in the holidays even though I'm at home, it is a very long stretch of time and mine need some structure.

Rockspin · 16/08/2017 08:49

YABU - it's a school holiday and they probably a need a break from routine and regimen. Leave them to their own devices and chill out yourself.

FlakeBook · 16/08/2017 08:50

YABU and hopefully joking. Children need unstructured time. They are entertaining themselves nicely. Why would you take this time away from them when they have too little in term time?

metalmum15 · 16/08/2017 08:51

Wtf?? Online German practice and jogging? I'm glad you're not my mum. Chilling out and doing fuck all is what school holidays are for.

Moocherbot · 16/08/2017 08:52

Missing point sorry - what online German practice? Keen to know!

NicolasFlamel · 16/08/2017 08:54

Leave them! The activities they've chosen sound great and they're all quiet and entertained. Why would you mess with it?!

Original poster
TAMumof3 · 16/08/2017 08:55

I think what I'm finding hard is that I feel guilty that I'm not doing more with them.
Money is quite tight this year and I've only managed a few paid for trips (Odeon kids cinema, Wiltshire free swimming, church activity club for younger two).
I think I'm worried that if I can't provide a holiday I can at least educate them ??
Is this sounding really barmy ?

OP posts:
PandorasXbox · 16/08/2017 08:56

No chance. It's a holiday. Time to switch off and relax. We've done no school work, stayed in bed till gone 10am, watched lots of crappy films and ate too much rubbish.

It's been ace.

twoheaped · 16/08/2017 08:59

Is this a joke Hmm?
It's the holiday, don't make them do a school day. As a TA, you should know how ready the kids are for downtime at the end of the school year.

dementedpixie · 16/08/2017 08:59

one of mine isn't even awake yet and the other is on the PS4. I haven't forced them to do much this holiday and they go back to school tomorrow...eek!

Sirzy · 16/08/2017 09:00

Ds needs to know what is happening each day, so we "plan" days even if that plan is to stay in all day doing nothing.

Different children need different levels of structure but it doesn't sound like yours do? If you need some structure can you plan your day (jobs that need doing, time to sit and read etc) in a way that pretty much lets them enjoy their downtime?

Original poster
TAMumof3 · 16/08/2017 09:01

German practice is a free website - studygermanonline.
They also do a Cambridge latin course as they don't study latin at their primary but will do if they pass 11 plus, oldest has found it difficult to keep up since starting in Sep.

Each of them also studies chemistry through Freerice as they enjoy the thought of sending rice to hungry children and we follow-up with kitchen science experiments.

OP posts:
wevecomeonholidaybymistake · 16/08/2017 09:03

Leave them to it.

DS is still asleep and DD surfaced about 10 minutes ago and is lounging in her pants staring at the tele.

I'll drag them out for fresh air later as we've no food so need to go to a shop

MargotLovedTom1 · 16/08/2017 09:04

Hell's bells, my situation is almost exactly the same as yours and we chill out plenty. We're on holiday!

Cagliostro · 16/08/2017 09:04

Let them play, kids need to be bored! It's good for them

converseandjeans · 16/08/2017 09:05

I assumed you were joking. Both teachers here and no routine or anything educational for the summer hols. It's a break regardless of whether you go to Greece or stay home!

AnnieAnoniMouse · 16/08/2017 09:05

Blimey - let them be. They're all happily doing what they want to do, that's what holidays are for!

Just because you can't take them away doesn't mean you need to further punish them by making them do shite they don't want to do!

Original poster
TAMumof3 · 16/08/2017 09:06

I think being a TA is a double-edge sword.
I do see very tired children who need a complete break by the end of term.
I also see children struggling with reading in year 5, timestables in year 6 and far too many having no idea what the capital of Scotland is or where rain comes from, the school I work in is rated Good by ofsted but I'm sure parents would be shocked to see just how little their children learn each day.

OP posts:
metalmum15 · 16/08/2017 09:07

You can still educate them without it seeming like education, free museums, nice walk somewhere with an ice cream at the end, baking, board games, crafts. Things don't have to be expensive. If kids feel like they're doing schoolwork for 6 weeks, it won't feel like a holiday for them.

DavetheCat2001 · 16/08/2017 09:07

Sounds like the only one heaping stress on you, is you OP!

As long as they're not ripping up your house, I'd let them have some quiet time doing what they want.

I try to get my two out at least once a day to run off some energy, but there are definitely times when they just want to slob out with the tv or play under their own steam.

I can't blame your three for not being super motivated by an online German course btw!