To struggle during the 6 weeks holidays?

[Cookiedough123]

I'm a teacher and many people tell me how lucky I am to have 6 weeks off. In reality I struggle with the lack of routine and loneliness that comes during this 6 weeks. I am 3 and a half weeks in now and I am struggling. If I didn't have the dog to feed in the morning I dont think I would get out of bed. Some days I dont even want to get dressed. I live with my boyfriend and have family close by but they are all working. Usually I would have a holiday half way through but we cant afford one this year. I have spent most my summer catching up with the odd friend, walking my dog and occasionally riding my friends horse. Can anyone give me any ideas to boost me up a bit and get me through the final few weeks.

[StoatofDisarray]

I know what you mean: I feel the same when I have time off (and that includes Sundays, the only day of the week I don't work). Here are the things that work for me:

*Make arrangements to see friends.
*Get up at your usual time and have a couple of large cups of coffee (as I would if I was working), and make a to do list for the morning and work through it until about 2pm. Then spend the rest of the day vegging and don't feel bad about it.
*To do list things can include chores and shopping, but think about including something practical that you don't have time to do during your work time. For me at the moment, it's cleaning out my closets and making a capsule wardrobe for work.
*Board games and D&D are great ways of meeting people. Lots of pubs and cafes have board game and D&D clubs now: see if you can find one near you and go and play some games. It's a really good, low-stress way to spend time with people.

[manicinsomniac]

angell it's not about sympathising with someone who has a 6 week holiday. It's about sympathising with someone who feels lonely, isolated and without any direction or purpose. Which can happen to anyone, especially if they don't have the kind of network that comes from having children and family all around you.

I love the holidays. But I have 3 children, plenty of teaching/free in the daytime friends, enough money and enough work to be busy, stimulated and surrounded by people. That's what makes a holiday fun. Not the fact that it's 6 weeks long. 1 or 2 weeks of happiness, activity and company is to be valued. 6 weeks of lethargy and depression is not. Especially when you don't have the money to do the things you'd love to do and know would make you value your time.

[RaisinsRuinEverything]

Yeah I know teachers who feel same as you! Term times are so busy, it’s a very “all or nothing” existence.
It’s not a matter of being reasonable or unreasonable, it’s how you feel so it’s real to you. Ignore the comments saying how “lucky” you are!
It’s extra hard if you don’t have children.
Could your boyfriend not take some time off in the school holidays so you can go away or at least do stuff together? Do the higher prices for holidays put him off. Consider doing days out or cheap holidays like camping.

[Fragglesrooke]

I never feel like this. Always start my planning for the year ahead to ease my workload during term time. Last few years I've also had sow and resources to produce due to tlr. Wish I had the chance to get bored

[StoatofDisarray]

I meant to add, loneliness and the depression that it gives rise to are soul-sapping, and it can be hard once you get into a hole to get out if you're alone all day. If I had to stop working for six weeks I would probably fall to pieces. You've had some good advice from PPs here though.

[Cookiedough123]

Thanks everyone. I do understand the people who say how can you complain about the 6 weeks and in the past I haven't struggled so much as I have this year. I dont know if it's a mix of how I'm feeling, the weather and the lack of finances that have led me to be feeling so fed up. Some of your ideas are great and I will take them on board. I am actually looking to leave teaching so have also spent some time looking at careers.

[IDSNeighbour]

I never feel like this. Always start my planning for the year ahead to ease my workload during term time. Last few years I've also had sow and resources to produce due to tlr. Wish I had the chance to get bored

Well, all teachers have this but it can't possibly take the whole holiday?! I feel like I do a lot of work in a holiday but there's no way it adds up to more than a couple of hours a day on average. I did new autumn term sow for three year groups today - while watching netflix and therefore being very unproductive! I couldn't fill more than 3 weeks with work even if I did everything I aim to do (which I never, ever do!) I'm unconvinced by teachers who claim to work all holiday (not saying you are claiming that but some do).

It's also about finding the motivation - even if you are feeling depressed and apathetic, work isn't necessarily an appealing enough prospect to lift you out of it!

[Taswama]

Yanbu. I’m not a teacher but find I’m missing the regular stuff the kids do which give my week a bit of structure. Also I have quite a few ex pat friends (French,Irish) who head home for the holidays so I miss them. I’ve struggled before being off sick when I’m meant to be resting. I’ve never been very good at that.

[SachaStark]

My god, you lot are all crazy! I’m a secondary core subject teacher (no kids of my own, though), and, frankly, I could do with the holidays being ANOTHER six weeks longer!

There’s so much to do, so many DIY projects, walks to go on, books to read, friends and family (whom I never have the time to see in term time, grr) to catch up with. I don’t reckon I’ll get through it all before September.

DH has a “normal” job, so he carries on working, but my daily routine is okay because I get up to have breakfast with him. I’m also very happy in my company, and, of course, have loads of friends who are teachers, so don’t feel the loneliness, however.

[Youngandfree]

Yes!! I’m a teacher too but in Ireland and we have 9 weeks off!! I have dc but I will freely admit that I miss routine, I am definitely ready to go back!! 2 weeks to go!!

[DoNotBlameMeIVotedRemain]

A lot of the teachers I know work at holiday clubs in the summer.

[AmIRightOrAMeringue]

There are loads of holiday clubs, couldn't you work at some of them? Or do some child minding?

[escapade1234]

If it’s lack of finances, get a job. My local Facebook page is full of requests towards the end of the summer term for holiday clubs and childcare. People would go nuts for a qualified teacher to look after their children for a few weeks.

Yours is a nice problem to have and easily sorted. It won’t be handed to you though, you make stuff happen for yourself.

[Blondebombsite83]

@angell84 I’m not sure mumsnet is the place for someone who doesn’t want to read about seemingly trivial problems

OP yanbu- six weeks can be very lonely. You need to have a routine. Mine was always-
Breakfast and coffee with Frasier on
Put a wash on
Go to the supermarket (even if just for one thing
Gym/swim
Lunch
Read
DH gets home

Now I have a toddler so it’s all gone to hell in a handcart. I do work for maybe 2-3 days. In my uni days we had three months and I set myself goals. I used to swim a mile a day. You can usually get frequent visitor discounts. I try to arrange one day out a week at least so I have something to look forward to.

[Youngandfree]

@escapade1234 I doubt it’s about money as teachers still get paid over the summer. I know I do anyway 🤷‍♀️

[Cookiedough123]

I advertised at the beginning of summer and have done a bit of dog walking for people. Child minding is a good idea in principle but you need to be Ofsted registered and have the correct insurance which again for the 6 weeks the cost outweighs the point in doing it. I have made some plans tomorrow and friday. Just looking forward to getting back in a routine- as much as I dislike current job at least it gives me something to get up in the morning for. Next year if I'm still teaching I would love to look at doing some volunteering abroad so if anyone would like to point me in the right direction if you have any personal reccomendations I would be very grateful.

[Ivestoppedreadingthenews]

I volunteered in the library summer reading scheme when I was teaching. It’s good as it’s quite an easy commitment but nice to chat to families and encourage reading. I also read a lot!

[SuperSara]

I promise that this isn't meant to be 'goady' but do you actually have 6 weeks to fill - I thought teachers spent a good part of holidays working?

If I was you I'd just be glad to have the downtime!

[AloeVeraLynn]

Sorry I haven't read all the replies but could you write a list of all the things youd love to have time for in term time but can't do?
I study during term time and I'm always fed up when I have a big assignment on but I'm dying to read a good fiction book or go to bed early and watch netflix. Indulgent day time baths, coffee somewhere nice, mooch around the library or bookshops, go to a new town and see what you can discover. I know it's all simple stuff but for me that's what I miss when I'm too busy.
Hope things pick up for you

[chocolatemademefat]

You must have known about the holidays before you decided to become a teacher. I find it impossible to dredge up sympathy for you while I work full time and look after my ill husband. Give yourself a shake!

[Untamedtoad]

I'm using the summer hols to mainly catch up on the copious amount of housework, decluttering, and decorating that desperately needs doing! Admittedly we've already been on holiday for a week, and going again next week, but that's mainly due to this being that last summer before DD starts school so trying to make the most of it. We don't usually go away in the holidays, and it seems to fly by with all the jobs we have to catch up on, and the rubbish weather makes it ideal haha! Maybe make a list of things that have been annoying you, and see if you can get as many ticked off you list as possible, even just things like touching up a mark on the wall, re-painting the skirting boards, cleaning the windows/lightshades/doors, reorganising the wardrobes, decluttering (this is my favourite!) I find I feel so much better if I've got some little jobs like this out of the way. Decluttering is especially great for bringing up your mood, as an uncluttered environment is so much more relaxing, and donating unwanted items to charity shops gives you an added feel good factor. X

[Skittlenommer]

It doesn’t sound like you have much going on in your life outside of your job which may be the problem.

Create your own structure/routine in times like this where you wake up and shower at a specific time, check e-mails, breakfast, walk dog, gym, coffee, lunch etc etc.

[dottiedodah]

I am lucky enough to be a SAHM with older children !.My days are clear up ,do washing .hoover etc .Take dog out to friendly local park meet other doggy owners that I know, come home have lunch ,go out for second walk.On other days may go into town ,library and so on .As you work hard as a teacher why not just chill out and relax ,you need some downtime .Can you go to Nat trust (still nice on your own, just chat to people).Take a good book to the park .Snoop around Charity shops ,picked up a lovely Summer dress for a fiver!.Cheer up only a couple of weeks left !.Can you call any fellow teachers for a coffee?

[sweetkitty]

Right now you are definitely being unreasonable but that’s because I’m a Scottish teacher who went back to work today and feel like I’ve been hit by a train think I need another 6 weeks off!

Summer holidays are never long enough for me I have all these plans and never get around to half of them

[womaninthedark]

Travel. I used to be a teacher and the colleagues who enjoyed holidays were the ones who booked 'interesting' or 'exciting' holidays.