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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be heartbroken the summers finished

106 replies

Crockof · 02/09/2019 22:07

I don't want my kids to go back to school, I've loved living in this halcyon bubble and I'm heartbroken it's ending. Their childhood feels like a whisper in time, I just want to press pause for a while.

OP posts:
CantSleepClownsWillEatMe · 02/09/2019 22:54

Well mine went back last Thursday after 8 weeks off (Ireland) and although I did have a little "Aw bless" moment at their back to school nerves, I'm definitely not heartbroken! Dh and I both work full time and while I do have some flexibility and Dh can work from home some of the time, it's been a lot of juggling annual leave, parental leave, summer camps and CM.

I have enjoyed the time we've had with them and I'm aware we're luckier than a lot of people in terms of having some flexibility from work and being able to afford fun summer camps but 8 weeks is long and I'm happy for them to get back to a routine.

RoryGillmoresEvilTwin · 02/09/2019 22:55

Yes I get you op.
Ds goes back on Wednesday and i feel so sad.
It's pathetic but I'll probably have a little cry tomorrow eve...

I think it's the getting back to normal life and the manic routine of work/study/school/homework/activities. I'm drained just thinking about it. We've had the most relaxed summer

MrsPellegrinoPetrichor · 02/09/2019 22:57

And in 19 days my baby leaves for university (sob)

Mine too. Gulp...

Tinyandpetite · 02/09/2019 23:00

I’m not looking forward to my ten year old going back to school either, I’m sad and pathetic and she’s about the only company I have :(

Muchtoomuchtodo · 02/09/2019 23:01

YABU.

This year’s masterplan has worked (apart from one bout of sickness from dc2 which messed things up for a couple of days) but now we can all go back to our normal working weeks (for a few weeks until half term!)

6 weeks is plenty to have fun and relax together but it’s time to get back to having a routine. Both of our dc are looking forward to going to school. Dc 1 to year 9 and dc 2 to year 7.

DonPablo · 02/09/2019 23:01

I've felt exactly the same op. We've had a brilliant summer, kids are older and it's been bliss.

My dh has even had some time off too.

I work part time, term time too. My favourite working pattern by far.

Roll on half term!

FlamedToACrisp · 02/09/2019 23:02

Can one press pause on a whisper? or a bubble?

They need to go back to school - and it sounds like you need to book a creative writing workshop, because you've definitely got poetry in your soul.

Console yourself with the thought that a halcyon is also a mythical bird, which breeds in a nest floating at sea at the winter solstice. Start nestbuilding by planning the perfect Christmas holiday break for them.

PumpkinP · 02/09/2019 23:02

Gosh I feel bad now. I’m so happy mine are going back to school! Feel like having a party to celebrate.

Nextphonewontbesamsung · 02/09/2019 23:03

I'm not sad my younger one is going back to school and I'm not sad my older one is off to University either. For children and young adults there is more to life than their immediate family unit - they need to be with their peers in order to grow up and become independent. To be "heartbroken" over normal life seems quite overdramatic extreme. And a little bit over-indulgent?

BackOffKaren · 02/09/2019 23:03

I will be happily waving mine off when they go back this week! We all need the routine back!

Yabbers · 02/09/2019 23:03

The end of the school holidays means I'm no longer stressing about which relative/club she is with today whilst I get myself ready for work. Combined with the working mum guilt that apparently summer holidays are for families to "re-connect" but the reality is the bills need paying.

I was glad to see the back of the holidays.

Teddy1970 · 02/09/2019 23:04

I don't know about anyone else but I seem to have my children "back" in the Summer holidays, for some reason DD takes on or copies other children personalities and bad habits and it's not very nice sometimes! I'm probably talking cobblers I know, but for those 6 weeks she's herself again and it's lovely.

bumblingbovine49 · 02/09/2019 23:08

I have always hated the end of the summer holidays. I am so not an attachment parent and I work through about 3 weeks of it but I love love love the late rmor ogns and lack of stress with ds. He I so much happier during school holidAys that it just runs off. I dread the start of the school year and the start of every term really.

LatteLove · 02/09/2019 23:09

I think feeling a bit sad that good times have come to an end is understandable, heartbroken seems just a touch OTT though! Time goes so quickly but it is what it is, nothing ever stays the same.

Teddy1970 · 02/09/2019 23:11

I feel sad Christmas ending, but you get over it as soon as the decs are back in the loft!

Original poster
Crockof · 02/09/2019 23:11

@52Nothingcomesforfree agree

I thought MN would have me consigned if I said that but that is exactly how I feel. There is a holiday advert (think it's tui) where there is a monster who books a holiday and strip by strip gets torn off until eventually the monster turns back into a parent. I have felt that my children have come back to themselves this summer. Maybe as a pp said I am being over indulgent but I have really loved having my kids back. Of course I will let them go and they won't see the tears as I drive off but gosh I'm going to miss them.

OP posts:
Original poster
Crockof · 02/09/2019 23:13

@Teddy1970 above addressed to your commentx

OP posts:
Nothingcomesforfree · 02/09/2019 23:13

How does it feel it Scotland? They’ve been back a couple of weeks now Did if feel like Autumn even though it was August?

Winter starts once the clocks go back for me. I can’t wait. Autumn is just a horrible reminder that’s summers over but Christmas is a whole season away..

Shockers · 02/09/2019 23:15

Mine are 19 and 20 and I feel sad it’s over! We’ve had a brilliant summer and the house will feel empty and quiet without them.

Teddy1970 · 02/09/2019 23:15

Ah yes, thought so OP! I'm glad it's not just me.

LatteLove · 02/09/2019 23:16

Did if feel like Autumn even though it was August?

Hmm not quite like autumn but not really like summer fully either if that makes sense! The day mine went back to school I noticed a definite “nip” in the air but it was still light till after 9, now it’s getting chilly and dark by 9 it’s more autumnal

Original poster
Crockof · 02/09/2019 23:17

@Shockers that gives me great comfort, I hope when mine are that age we still have great summers.

OP posts:
Geekster1963 · 02/09/2019 23:20

I agree with you, I'm not looking forward to my 7 year old DD going back. I've loved having her at home.

sobeyondthehills · 02/09/2019 23:20

I am sad, but mainly because DS is moving up to junior school.

I made the rookie mistake of buying in all his lunchbox food at the weekend. Its not lasted.

Next year is going to be worse cause DSS is moving up to senior school, we already have had a lot less time with him this summer holiday cause he doesn't want to hang out with his little brother and parents (step parents included).

MrsKoala · 02/09/2019 23:28

This has been the summer of taking it in turns to punch each other full in the face. Honestly. Everytime I leave the room I hear ‘your turn’.

It’ll take till half term to tidy and clean and repair the damage to the walls from them chucking brio trains at each other’s heads for a laugh.

Ds2 (turned five last week) has spent a substantial chunk locked in the garden screaming and throwing things at the windows as none of us can bear him inside.

I’ve had some reaaaallly low points parenting but this summer has been the first time I have really wished I never had kids. Complete and utter dickbags!