To be fed up of summer holidays

[catspyjamas27]

I haven't even had that much time off so far but am finding myself sooooo bored of the summer holidays at home. I barely have any money to take ds out. We lounge about most mornings then just go shopping or to the park. He's having way too much screen time.

I'm moody and irritable. I think routine just works so much better for us both. I function a lot better and feel a lot happier when I'm rushing about from school runs to work and then after school clubs and so on. When I have to actively think and plan for stuff to keep us busy I just get anxious and feel like I'm not doing enough.

And then I end up feeling guilty for not making more of the time with ds! Agh! Anyone else?

Have you tried the app Hoop? It has plenty of free and inexpensive local activities, total lifesaver for me.

I’m a teacher so very much used to being off during the summer holidays. I manage to fill our days out with fairly cheap or even free activities.

I will have a look. I just feel like there's no structure to our days and it's getting me down. It shouldn't really be this mentally draining spending days off with your child. I fully salute SAHP because I definitely couldn't do it.

Try new things, like making games in the park, libraries, going on a day trip somewhere, craft, reading challenges, a special project on something they like.

I just feel like there's no structure to our days and it's getting me down

Then make some structure

Or embrace the lack of structure. We've a new puppy so not going out and about on our usual summer adventures. We are flirting from Minecraft, to YouTube, to Lego, to crafts, to games. It's been relaxing letting go of expectation and not planning everything.

*flitting. No flirting here!

There's usually loads of free stuff on in the hols, you just need to know where to look! Your local council will have stuff on the website or there will be posters in the library. If you are in a city then council run art galleries or tourist spots will have activities.
Filling up the holidays with cheap and free activities takes planning and research but it's totally possible. It makes it much more fun for everyone plus you then really appreciate the down time days where you slob around and do nothing.

I felt the same when mine were little. Longed for them to be back at school. They are teenagers now and out most of the time with their mates so i feel much less guilty!

Just wanted to let you know they have grown up to be completely normal, sociable, sporty kids, even with 6 weeks of TV, Wii and Xbox when they were younger. Its not ideal, but we as mums, aren't all made the same. It didn't stunt either their growth or their intelligence, just made me feel shit.

We spend far too much time feeling guilty about stuff.

I do it too.. it's bloody exhausting.

I'm just fed up of being eaten out of house and home, my food bill must have doubled since they've been off.

Thanks for all the suggestions and reassurance. Currently sat in soft play - he's a bit old for it now really but still loves it and it gets him out for a bit. Will take him for some late lunch afterwards so it's not a completely screen focused day!

I found that I needed to an some sort of activity for each day, to give it some structure - and to make me feel better about them flopping in front of cbeebies the rest of the time a lot. Usually the activities weren't v exciting - we visited different parks, did craft stuff at the library, went for a picnic and a paddle in a stream, made cup cakes or worked on a Lego city. Something, anything to make each day different from the last.

These days mine are teens and the 6 weeks go in a flash and I miss those endless summer days (so am probably forgetting how tough they were).

In some areas there's lots to do, where I used to live all activities ended before the summer holidays , incredibly annoying.

Where I am now, there's lots more available, not always pricey.

The thing is they sometimes don't want to do those activities- maybe need a break in the holidays, maybe they are more for the adults to make them feel better! It is horribly rainy here today and feeling a bit guilty as we are just sitting around - my teen is out with a friend- but had some cuddles and a chat with my youngest. Alternative is rushing in the rain to horrible hectic sports centre and spending ages waiting for softly / tranpoline and spending £££

Even something like going out to be measured and buying new school shoes was an exciting outing for my kids!

Yes, we definitely need routine and structure. I was quite excited we had a medical appointment today because it meant we had a place to be at a certain time! Weather isn't great which means lots of activities which you need to pay for. Really adds up. I've spent a fortune. House is a tip too.

Agree OP - I find it helps to invite his friends round. At first I was s bit shy approaching parents but I found several bit my hand off when I offered to have their kids for a few hours (they are no doubt having the same problem!) and a couple have had my son to play at theirs for the day so it evens out.

Organising everything does get exhausting. Definitely ditch the guilt tho