Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think 6 weeks will be hard to fill

189 replies

trees4thewood · 22/07/2018 19:11

I am a teacher, it’s good to have the time off but to be honest I’m dreading it a bit, I remember getting really badly depressed a few summers ago and I can see this one being similar.

what should I do

OP posts:
MyNameIsNotSteven · 22/07/2018 21:10

It sounds like you'll miss the kids OP. What about some work on a play scheme or something?

WaxOnFeckOff · 22/07/2018 21:10

It's the lack of company rather than the lack of things to do that's the problem.

You need to build a network of friends/acquantencies/like minded people which is easier said than done I guess and some of those people will be off doing other things in the summer hols/activities may be closed.

What things do you enjoy OP? Are there any summer study programs on near you? Unis and colleges often have things on, such as photography/cooking etc which would give you a shared interest to meet new people with.

If you are on FB maybe look to see if there are any groups in your area.

Volunteering would definitely give you a bit of company as well.

6 weeks really isn't that long and structuring your day and planning things to do spread out over the weeks will definitely help.

Good luck with it all and I hope you manage to find things to do and people to meet.

Bimgy85 · 22/07/2018 21:11

If you're that worried maybe volunteer in a charity shop for the summer they will keep you busy, Monday - fri 9-5 or whatever

WaxOnFeckOff · 22/07/2018 21:11

Is Home Start a possibility?

BottleOfJameson · 22/07/2018 21:12

Jaxhog You sound horrible. Teachers are paid for 195 days of work but that pay is spread over the full 12 months so they're paid during the holiday not for the holiday. Some teachers will need to do more prep over the holiday than others. OP is not being paid for her time over the holidays so she certainly doesn't have to justify not working. I doubt any teachers are in the least bit interested in your sympathy - what good is that to them? If teaching is such an easy profession in your eyes why are so many leaving and why are we struggling to recruit? Surely it's very simple market dynamics - easy well paid job with good working conditions? Lots of applicants. Very difficult job with challenging working conditions? Difficult to recruit for.

The people being nasty to OP are really horrible individuals with some massive personal issues. Someone says they like helping people and feeling useful and they're a bit low at the moment and your reaction is to write nasty messages? What's wrong with you?

As for the OP I hope you can forge some more links over the summer you sound like a lovely person. Have you thought about tutoring (I'm sure you have as it's obvious but I would recommend it if you like a personal connection with a student)? I'm sure you'd be in massive demand in so many volunteer roles with your skills.

2up2manydown · 22/07/2018 21:12

When I opened this thread I assumed you were a parent wondering how to entertain your children over the holidays. Then I realised you are a child-free adult and laughed.

Then I remembered my retired teacher grandfather telling me how much he missed school over the long summer holidays, even once he became a father. He missed the routine, the staff, the buzz and, occasionally, the children!

WaxOnFeckOff · 22/07/2018 21:13

I'm an atheist so feel weird suggesting this, but if you are a christian, I know the church usually organise play scheme type programmes over the summer, they may be glad of help and you'd spend time with the children.

Leeds2 · 22/07/2018 21:14

OP, it might be a bit late now, but my then primary aged daughter used to go to a summer holiday club where they were crying out for (paid) teachers to help. Would something like that exist for you?
Personally, I would look into volunteering. Food bank, charity shop, Home Start (you have to do a course, but could be in school holidays and you could visit your family at the weekend).

Original poster
trees4thewood · 22/07/2018 21:18

I don’t have any family, but thanks.

OP posts:
WaxOnFeckOff · 22/07/2018 21:21

I think Leeds meant the Home Start family that you'd be allocated could be visited at the weekend.

BottleOfJameson · 22/07/2018 21:24

I also find it hard to make friends by the way but have found when I volunteered (especially at a homeless drop in centre) the people I met were especially friendly.

Original poster
trees4thewood · 22/07/2018 21:27

Oh, sorry, I understand now Smile

OP posts:
Coolhotsummer · 22/07/2018 21:28

I am a teacher and part of me enjoys the holiday as in the break but it is also a long stretch of time if you are not busy or going on holiday.

I find a lot of teachers go away with their families for most of the six weeks. It’s a quiet time for me.

Train101 · 22/07/2018 21:31

I know you said you're going away, but could you do a big trip?

For example catch trains or drive and couchsurf/ use airbnb and trave the UK for 2 weeks?

Book an extra spontaneous cheap break? There's deals going right now because of the good weather for £300 for 7 days all inclusive in the med.

Have you any hobbies? Join an interest group etc?

Nousernameforme · 22/07/2018 21:32

Do the national November write month now over the 6 weeks

Weedinosaurus · 22/07/2018 21:33

Thank goodness for the nice posters amongst the morons.
What has pay got to do with it and what is so hard about understanding that a person is daunted by a stretch of time alone with no structure??
Jealousy is an ugly trait. If you want 6 weeks holiday - guess what you can do!!!

OP glad you’ve found some helpful suggestions. Hope you get off to a good start tomorrow and keep it up. Flowers

WaxOnFeckOff · 22/07/2018 21:34

trees, you sound like a lovely person, people would be lucky to have you as a friend and I'm sure there are people out there that like and vice versa.

It can be hard to take a step outside your comfort zone and it can make you feel vulnerable and like the bullied child you were.

However, you aren't that child anymore, you are an adult in control of her own life and most people are nice but you have the ability to walk away from the ones who aren't.

Original poster
trees4thewood · 22/07/2018 21:35

This has been a very supportive thread and I’m really grateful.

OP posts:
Citylivingwithdogs · 22/07/2018 21:35

mynameisnot just finished Eleanor Oliphant! Best book I’ve read in ages! Would highly recommend trees.

BottleOfJameson · 22/07/2018 21:37

Also I haven't read the thread but could you afford to do a group travel? There are lots of company's that do trips particularly for single travellers so they're very sociable and tend to be to quite interesting places.

CookiesandQueen · 22/07/2018 21:37

Yanbu. I know a lot of people think 6 weeks off is amazing, but after such a busy term it can absolutely be depressing and sometimes lonely to have so much time to fill, especially if your friends/ partner are in work. Try to see friends and family when you can. Volunteering is a good idea. Any hobbies you'd like to try? Hiking is a good one and you can make a full day of it.

MaisyPops · 22/07/2018 21:37

Start of the holidays.
Only thread a poster posts on is one they started about teacher holidays.

I mean it could be a name change situation but...

BottleOfJameson · 22/07/2018 21:38

I know this is probably because I'm a boring person but when I have periods of time to fill I do find a schedule of sorts helps. e.g. trip to the library, coffee shop on way home and start the book I've read. Lunch run in afternoon. I love lists so I'll write a list of all the films I've been meaning to see and watch one every evening.

TheBitchOfTheVicar · 22/07/2018 21:39

@2up2manydown you laughed?

Aren't people without children allowed to have feelings or worries then?

Swipe left for the next trending thread