Help me get through school holidays please

[niketrainersarecomfy]

I know i should be enjoying them and im lucky to be at home. I have 15, 10 and 4 year olds.
The house is trashed they are eating and eating.
We have done cinema and swimming plus park +++
It is just how to get through the long long days. We have a tiny house so there is no room away from them. They are loud, the 4yo needs a lot of attention.
All i see is another 5 weeks of this. I have mh probs anyway so partly that. I need time alone but the eldest wont go to friends or childcare and even though shes quiet i cant relax. I have no friends with kids but the friends i have through work im too embarrassed to meet, the eldest moans at everything, the 10yo strops if she doesnt get her own way.
I regrey having kids at times like this, i need space away to function.
ExH left when i was preg with last baby and has no contact now. No family so all on my own.
Thinking of hiring a cleaner but whats the point.

I'm similar, in a small place too and have MH also. Also little support. I find sometimes taking the younger one out can be Ok on their own and leaving the other at home for a bit. Maybe that would help you too. Also I try and have a bit of keeping things simple or get stressed, so for example just going out for an hour or two and then back. It isn't easy sometimes.

Also, maybe the your youngest could have a play date with a friend or take a friend to the park, can sometimes help if they are active, but I know sometimes people are away in the holidays.

PS I know what you mean about a bit of time away making a difference. If no friends around look online may be a local free play scheme where you could take the youngest, for a bit. Or put a film on and at least go outside for a bit.

At 15 the eldest can stay home for a bit by themselves, I think.

Surely the 15 year old can be doing their own thing?
The 10 year old may still be happy tagging along with the 4 year old on visits to the park, walks, days out. Try to have something planned every other day, but certainly get out of the house to run errands, go to the library, have a walk with them everyday.

Thank you. Getting out each day is vital to me. I go stir crazy trapped indoors. Im going to the park again in a bit. My meds have made me fat and moving is hard so i just feel hot and sweaty. We have clubs erc planned but it just feels endless. Even though by last day of term i was desperate for school runs to end.

I'm just the same! Feeling quite dizzy on mine at the mo and sun doesn't help, but if stay in too long with them feel like am going stir crazy! Good luck.

Thank you. Every room is trashed through overuse, always cooking, showering etc. Beds being laid on, toys all over lounge. No order at all its driving me mad.

I know. I usually thrive on routine when they are at school but there is none in holidays and find the same. Not missing the rush of the school run though. I'm just trying to let it go a bit. I don't like shopping either, taking one with me, or rushing out to do it. and need more food as well. Online shopping can be good. and then they deliver it, but can be more expensive.

It can feel a but like being under siege or something.

I also have this feeling that everyone else is doing exciting trips and things and it's just me feeling like this.

God you have my sympathy it's so difficult. I would have as much planned as possible and break the day into little bits. I have lists (actually a bookmark folder on my computer) of indoor activities for the little ones. I find it's easier to give them a list of five options when they're going crazy indoors e.g. puzzle, board game, craft (old magazines, glue and scissors are the favourite), baking cupcakes etc. Then a trip out in the middle of the day (I usually have one annual pass on the go then park, library etc.). Then home bit of free time then family movie night?

Have you thought about trying to make more local connections? Perhaps a club the 10/4 year old could join?

Ah I do feel for you. Can you have a chill out in your own room alone for 30 mins every afternoon?

What about getting up before the kids? I am always the first in my family to get up, so depending on the day, I'll have anything from 20 minutes to 2 hours alone ..... which I absolutely love.

It's difficult to do too much though and can get stressful- especially with different age ranges.

Sometimes I try putting a film on or letting them just chill in the mornings while I do my own stuff and then get out a bit in the afternoon. Then can bring its own stress of them asking for things

Why does a 15 year old need child care??

She doesnt butterfly im comparing it to previous yrs when they were in club or similar, i got space away from them that i dont now shes older. Theres a constant presence, not nastily, but im aware she's always there. The younger 2 are easier.
I just feel like its all closing in on me, like i cant breathe with it all.

Green i do the 30mins thing but can hear them arguing.
I cant get up earlier as im on sedating meds and am woken up by 6 each day which is guttingly early and bodes for a very long day ahead.
We just finished dinner and im going to tidy round soon....to do it all again tomorrow.
I was a shit stay at home mum. I wish i were more maternal.

Bath i do the film thing and they do enjoy that. I have always managed mornings but been climbing the walls by the afternoon. I should stop moaning as i hate the winter. Im gonna have 2 long days at the park over the weekend to get out.

Jameson good idea will go to big city library on weds next week as theres some books on amazon i want but cant afford. And they can take a book out. Mon we are at dentist and tues they go to a sports club in the morning so im off swimming.

No i dont miss the school runs and uniform etc either.

I miss when they were little and had a proper bedtime at 7. My 15yo stays up later than me.

Bump x

This op

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Followed by snack box’s or baskets for older children each box is filled with the desired amount by parent

Children can get their allotted snack from the end of breakfast however once the snacks are eaten that’s it until the next day
No swaps
Any attempt to puillphur anyone’s else’s snacks will result in convercastion of ones own snack box

It helps with self regulation and helps keeps shopping bill down

Yeah thank you i do that with snacks in term time but good idea to do it now.
Will make them clean up tomorrow, just one room each.
I like the list of things to do before they get tech. Good idea. Thank you