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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be looking forward to the end of the summer holidays?

17 replies

Fitzsimmons · 02/09/2018 19:54

I love DS, but he's hard work, and I have found the summer holidays tough going at times. We are renovating at the moment so no money for a holiday, so we've spent the six weeks at home, doing day trips etc.

I am very much looking forward to him going back to school this week. I need a break from his incessant talking and his bickering with his toddler sister.

However, loads of my friends have been posting online about how sad they are that the summer holidays are over and how they are dreading the return to school because they'll have less time to spend as a family etc.

Is there something wrong with me???

OP posts:

snowpo · 02/09/2018 20:04

Er, no completely normal. Can't wait to have a few hours to actually get things done without having to listen to rows, loud wrestling matches or finding something new to entertain them. It's fun for a while but six weeks is quite enough thank you.

Xmasbaby11 · 02/09/2018 20:09

Yanbu if it's been tough. maybe I'd feel the same if I'd had the whole summer hols off with my 2dc. As it is we had a 2 week family hol and apart from that I worked my usual hours so I haven't had that much more time with the dc than usual.

PositiveVibez · 02/09/2018 20:14

Not sure. I haven't had the luxury of spending much time with my dd due to lack of annual leave.

We managed a week away, and the odd couple of days off here and there, but other than that, I've felt like a shit mum for the 6 week period, palming her off on family and friends.

My husband was able to take a bit of time off with her too, which made me feel less guilty. But I do enjoy spending time with my daughter and she is nearly 10, so no trouble, so might be a bit different for me.

Tempjob · 02/09/2018 20:15

There is a big difference between OP situation - mum alone with two small children - and what other families may have together eg both parents off work for the whole six weeks.

For the first time my partner and I have had 6 weeks off work and it has been a wonderful time for our family. Totally transforming ...

MsVestibule · 02/09/2018 20:18

I daren't post on my FB page that I'm a bit disappointed that the holidays have nearly finished! Most (although not really that many) of the posts are more like yours.

Perfectly1mperfect · 02/09/2018 20:21

I always feel a little sad when my children go back to school, mostly because I know they prefer to be at home and also I remember that feeling of going back after the holidays so I feel for them. They can't stay home forever though and once they have done a few days they are used to it again.

My children are really easy kids though, so it's easier to have them home than it is to be doing school runs, homework, after school clubs etc.

I know a few people who are very stressed with the holidays and will be glad to get their kids back to school.

formerbabe · 02/09/2018 20:24

The school holidays haven't been as tough as I thought they would... however, I'm exhausted...I'm a sahm so it's been me and kids solidly for six weeks... I haven't had a single day to myself...I haven't been to the gym or even popped to the shops by myself. I'm looking forward to some time to myself.

formerbabe · 02/09/2018 20:26

Oh and I've come to the conclusion that the parents who love the summer holidays have either...

A...very compliant, well behaved children.

B...an only child or if they have more, siblings who don't bicker.

C...lots of willing family to give them a break.

Barbie222 · 02/09/2018 20:28

I'm a teacher and even I'm looking forward to the start of term when I will at least hopefully be able to get through a cuppa at break without having to warm it up in the microwave! Summer holidays are full on if it's childcare for the whole 6 weeks.

Iwantaspangran · 02/09/2018 20:33

I LOVE my children- but I can’t wait until the summer holidays are over/ everyone’s different- maybe you spend more time with them than other people posting do? Maybe other children play together better? Maybe others have more help? Maybe others have another parent/family member that does a huge share? Maybe others are in holiday clubs? Maybe others spend their summer drinking tea while their children amuse themselves? Maybe others let their children out to play on the street more? Or maybe some people just love having the busyiness of children around- nothing is right or wrong and you get by the way you feel is best and parent -the best you feel. Don’t feel bad- everyone is completely different and that’s what makes us all interesting. You may feel completely different about your summer when they are a bit older and all of those people loving the summer now may well be dreading it then!

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 02/09/2018 20:37

No there's nothing wrong with you!
6 weeks is a long time to entertain two small children with no money and renovations going on.

When mine were younger I found them exhausting too and counted down till they went back.

HiGunny · 02/09/2018 20:42

Try 2 months off with them!! And my DH didn't take a single day off work during that time...I couldn't wait for the end of the hols!!!

BarbarianMum · 02/09/2018 20:49

We've had an awesome 6 weeks but it's enough. They're ready to go back and we're ready for them to go back.

GoodbyeSummer · 02/09/2018 20:50

I have really struggled with these 6 week holidays - for me it's felt like 6 weeks of Groundhog Day. 6 weeks of cleaning, cooking, tidying, refereeing and crap tv. We have no money and haven't been able to afford a holiday or even the petrol to go on daytrips etc so we've stayed at home. The children are bored, they're falling out with each other over the smallest thing and even they are looking forward to the start of term.
Yanbu op, at all. Wednesday can't come soon enough!

MyDcAreMarvel · 02/09/2018 20:54

I do find it hard to relate to looking forward to dc being back at school. I have 7 , three with autism so can be challenging but I honestly love spending the holiday with them. Dh only had one week off in the summer , would have been nice if it was longer.
Spending time as a family no rushing round with school and activities it’s much better.

Carpetforsale · 02/09/2018 21:06

Mine have been off for 9 weeks!! (in NI) and I've been counting down the days from about the 2nd week in so you are absolutely not alone

Cherrypi · 05/09/2018 17:21

What strategies do people have to improve things? Found this summer pretty hard but don’t know what I can do differently next year?

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