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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the February half term is shite?

99 replies

dontforgettofloss · 10/02/2018 17:35

I have 4dcs, two of them teenagers and an 11 and 6 year old, not a lot of money, and the weather is awful here, I don't know what to do to entertain them!
Any ideas?

OP posts:
GreenSeededGrape · 10/02/2018 17:38

Yabu. I love school holidays and the change from having to be somewhere.

We'll watch far too much tv but I'm ok with that. Dd1 needs chill time at home.

MongerTruffle · 10/02/2018 17:41

What's wrong with staying at home? It's fine to have some relaxation.

Original poster
dontforgettofloss · 10/02/2018 17:42

We all love being at home, but they keep complaining of boredom

OP posts:
Ochre37 · 10/02/2018 17:43

Slime making
Biscuit making
Soggy walks
Swimming pool
Movie & popcorn
Trip to a museum late afternoon when the crowds are disappearing
And relaxing and letting them do what they fancy- pjs/ Lego/ Netflix.....

Original poster
dontforgettofloss · 10/02/2018 17:43

I guess I just feel like a 'bad mum' for not having activities lined up for them

OP posts:
OuchBollocks · 10/02/2018 17:44

Boredom is good for them. Permanently being entertained doesn't allow them to learn to be creative and amuse themselves.

Crispbutty · 10/02/2018 17:44

My mum never had activities lined up. I played out with friends, or went to their houses if the weather was particularly bad.

Argeles · 10/02/2018 17:45

Half terms should be two weeks long - 1 week is nothing!

I taught in an Academy once, and one of our half terms was always 2 weeks long - it was wonderful.

Katedotness1963 · 10/02/2018 17:45

Baking day.
Board game marathon.
DVD/home cinema day, with a blanket picnic.
Lego building competition.
Jigsaws.
Art and crafts...( I know I hated that too!)

Does the local swimming pool, cinema or bowling alley have cheap half term days? Does the library do anything?

MyDcAreMarvel · 10/02/2018 17:46

All but the six year can just go out with their friends.

OuchBollocks · 10/02/2018 17:46

My mother would have given me chores to do if I moaned about being bored

SilverySurfer · 10/02/2018 17:46

Why do you need to entertain them? They are surely old enough to amuse themselves? If that fails I always suddenly found something absolutely fascinating to do whenever I complained I was bored because my DM would suggest I do some housework. May be worth a try Grin

ElderflowerWaterIsDelish · 10/02/2018 17:47

Why not let them just stay at home, if they are getting up early for school every day maybe they would like to have lie in, (and even breakfast in bed as a treat) and let them watch movies and their favourite tv shows, have them help cook some new recipes from online ,..let them have relaxing time at home, before the chaos of school and homework starts again

BlueMirror · 10/02/2018 17:48

Have friends over, wrap up and go on a walk/bike ride, museums/galleries, play board games?
It's only 5 extra days to fill.

LouLouLove · 10/02/2018 17:48

It just passes me by, DS (6) goes to school holiday club and I go to work. Not enough holiday time to keep taking time off for school holidays!

Xmasbaby11 · 10/02/2018 17:49

My dc will be mostly in childcare as dh and I are both working as normal. I'd love to be able to take the week off to spend with them!

GeekyBlinders · 10/02/2018 17:50

My mum used to say 'Only boring people get bored' and offer me some chores to do if I had nothing to occupy myself. I soon found something to do in my bedroom! From the age of four or five, my mum never had to entertain me.

DelphiniumBlue · 10/02/2018 17:50

The eldest 3 will surely entertain themselves? And at that age,my older ones were also entertaining/ hanging with the youngest.
I suppose you need to make sure that the youngest 2 get some exercise, so park/ walk in woods plus swimming or something another day? Get friends to come so they've got someone to run around with. If you were really keen you could take them to a museum, ( free) but its not really necessary. Kids need time to chill too.

userofthiswebsite · 10/02/2018 17:51

I used to read a lot and have Monopoly battles in the school hols. But I do recall getting bored as we didn't do much 'stuff'

Original poster
dontforgettofloss · 10/02/2018 17:52

Thanks for all your replies. It makes me feel better to know that not everyone is doing loads of 'stuff'.
My teens moan terribly if I suggest going out for a walk, they moan at any suggestion unless it involves spending a lot of money!
I guess I'll just relax and enjoy the break, I work within a school, so it's my holidays as well, I just always worry that I'm not giving/doing enough for them

OP posts:
DreamingofBrie · 10/02/2018 18:01

I work in a school too and I LOVE half term! Today dc and I have cleaned the house properly, then we went out locally for a milkshake. They are good and tired out now Grin.

usualGubbins · 10/02/2018 18:01

I second the suggestion of housework. They'll soon find lots of things to do!

UserDeleted · 10/02/2018 18:04

We've only got 2 days February holiday this year! No time to do anything. . Oh well, may as well let them play Xbox the whole time! Grin

Cockmagic · 10/02/2018 18:06

I wish I could stay at home or do activities with my daughter op, I'm working!

Count yourself lucky you have the time.

Go to the library...

ThisLittleKitty · 10/02/2018 18:09

Yabu I love not having to do the school run. Been waiting for the holidays

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