Feeling guilty as a working parent over school summer hols?

[foxyknoxy30]

I always feel this guilt every year come summer holidays that all the other parents have loads of time off and doing hundreds of fun activities, while I am working. Me and my husband take the standard two weeks off but that leaves another five (in Scotland )so they go to mums who is more or less housebound and can't take them out.It is getting easier as my oldest can be left alone in the house and sometimes I leave the youngest with her (14 and 11),but I just feel so guilty as they will play on tablets /ps4 instead of out doing stuff.To top it off schools have announced a 4 day strike for the kids to return for their last day.I know I have to work but I just feel a bit crap every summer.

Don’t feel sad.

The 14 year old will be sorting herself/him out soon and 11 getting there too.

You work to provide them with all round the year things and a good role model.

Two weeks off as a family Is ace. Make the most of it and do lots of family fun things. They don’t have to cost money ours loved pizza and monopoly. or a cd night.

It’s life. Be kind to yourself

Don't feel bad. That's just the way it is, they'll survive. I was reading that kids that have a range of activities constantly provided have poorer imaginations. If they get bored then they get more creative and self reliant. It'll be fine.

I feel the same. Mine are 3 and 6. We are having a week off as a family and then one week is dance club for the oldest and nursery the youngest. I'm taking one or two days off each week for the rest, otherwise it's grandparents or friends. However, I know that even if I could take more time off I'm not sure I'd know what to do with them! I think it's a myth that everyone else is off having fun. There are only so many day trips you can do

Could you take your weeks at different times or have 1 week together and one week just you and one week just your dh off?
Are they old enough to go out and do something together if you give them some money? Even if they just got out to go somewhere for lunch?