Only children and Summer Holidays

[Namechangenumber56]

DD always gets upset at the start of the holidays. She loves school and despite all my best efforts, gets lonely. I arrange activities, playdates, courses and she's going on a week's camp. She misses out on all of those other times of just messing about at home.

She's always longed for a sibling, so it's s time when she is constantly reminded of this. Unfortunately, after years of trying, that's not going to happen now.

How do other people's only children get on and what ideas do any parents have to help make summer more enjoyable?

There's an AIBU in there somewhere.

I appreciate the problem but my two, although they are close in age, aren’t providing great company for each other at the moment. They have very different interests. In fairness, it’s a bit up and down and they will probably pick up a bit at some point BUT having a sibling doesn’t automatically provide a willing playmate!

I'm an only. For me it wasn't the siblings I missed, it was a massive dose of FOMO. I was convinced all my friends were seeing each other all the time and wouldn't want to be friends when we went back. I'm (potentially obsessive) making sure my DS's see their friends plenty in the holidays!
There's only so much you can do. Be kind to yourself!

I have an only, ds is 10 and his school has nine weeks off
We had the first week abroad. He’s done a week at a residential activity camp (went on his own didn’t know anyone). We’ve managed to meet up with a couple of school friends but most don’t live near us. We are having a week in a cottage next week. But he’s done lots of playing on his trampoline and screens. I feel guilty all the time about not having another.

This is DD's first summer holiday. DH and I have a week off at either end to do some fun stuff with her and on the weeks we're working she's with me Mondays, has three days of holiday club which she loves as it includes swimming and she's with GPs on Fridays.

I'm accepting every offer of a play date, trying to set up others when I can and being very clear with her that we can't be at her beck and call or entertain her every day.

Mostly she's fine but I think she will be happy to go back to school. I hated them as a child I was so bored and lonely.

DD is 20 and says she loved the holidays and our trips, holidays and visits. We’ve been discussing how she could cope with sleep overs for 48 hours before she lost the will to live 😂
You’ve got to keep a mixture of fun and busy with chilling out and watching movies in your pjs. You know your child and what they need - keep trusting your judgement, they turn out great and amazing individuals that make you proud 😘

I loved being an only child. I used to go on my bike/scooter, go and play at the park. Used to he playing make believe a lot of the time.

I used to have an hour or so on the computer (sims). Watch some tv etc. Play with toys

School holidays we used to have a 1 week holiday, the other 5 i had to entertain myself at home

Mine is an only child (not through choice) and she used to cry when school holidays came about. My husband and I are lucky to work but in shifts so she gets at least one of us during the day. Dad takes her bowling or walk round doing those hunt games on the phone or I will take her swimming. We do alot of things at home. I join her when making Lego and paint with her and then dad plays the computer games with her and they do baking. She's off to secondary school this year and I hope she'll make lots of friends to hang out with in the holidays. We love doing stuff with her but aren't a replacement for kids messing about , kids being kids but we try.