To just stay home in the school holidays!

[Quirrelsotherface]

Just that, really. Took my DC to an outdoor attraction today, along with the rest of the world. Queues were crazy for the special activities they put on so didn't bother with those. Place was packed with people who seemingly were completely unaware of anyone else..kids not waiting their turn for things, my 3yo got shoved over by someone who hadn't noticed him already stood where she had positioned herself.

Thing is, my DC are happiest at home, pottering, going to the park, local shops but I do this every holiday.
I just find it so unenjoyable and as though
everyone is desperately making sure their precious DC are getting the very best out of their day, even at the expense of other DC. Anyone relate? Maybe I'm just getting miserable and old

Happy mummy, is not a lie.
Kids remember the stupid things.
Granny had mine, realised it was 8 at night and no one had dressed. Kids best day ever.
The day we stuck a tarp on someone's sloping drive and used 100 bottles of washing up liquid, to create a slide.
Massive BBQ and honest to goodness a friend bought his ice cream van round and it was unlimited ice cream.

Social media is a nightmare I got all stressed I was not #makingmemories asked them what they wanted to do. They wanted to watch Christmas films 😂
School is so full on and with only a week off they need the down time. So yeah we went to a NT and cinema GP treated to sleepover with soft play job done.
Let them eat cake and watch Christmas films..... Or just films

I have to work 2-3 days each holiday so my kids get packed off to holiday clubs. Tennis, cooking and art clubs this half term.
There’s no choice as I don’t have a term time only job. Add in Halloween one night, and Bonfire night another (and poss a 2nd if go to Cubs one too) and it feels too hectic.
I’d love it if they had more time just to lounge around.

We don't tend to do much unless we go away or have visitors. Two of mine have additional needs, one in particular struggles with the change in routine as it is. I particularly dislike both October (unless it's really mild) and February holidays as it's cold and I just can't motivate myself to want to go out as much.

It also "costs" more hours in annual leave for my DH due to the nature of his job, so he is rarely off and works longer hours so he's not around much.

My kids prefer being home, we were going to go to the cinema but there is nothing they want to see on, we went to a local indoor zoo type place on a special autism session, so it was privately booked out so nice and quiet. The highlight for them is the sleepover at nanas house on the weekend 😂

I think having children with additional needs has are us a bit more isolated at times, we do do a lot in the summer and Easter holidays though, but the one week holidays are hard work as it takes so much adjusting for them.

We ask them to write lists though, so one day they want to make cakes (that's down to nana on the weekend 😂) and tomorrow they want a film day with popcorn, blankets etc, so easy one for me.

I love just being at home. My kids don’t seem to mind it and we spend most Saturdays in the house because their dad works it as an extra day I feel like I can’t be out spending money otherwise that’s pointless - we do go to the park sometimes.

I don’t know when this craze started of having to entertain your children and do a ‘thing’ every day of the weekend or holiday. We certainly didn’t do it when I was young.

I dont like to keep my kids at home too much, my DS 7 is happy to veg but will overload if I let him on screen time, You Tube ect. Yes I can limit it but there is only so long I can entertain him indoors. So for us its been an outdoors day for a monster hunt which wasnt overly packed or expensive £2 each for the sheets plus a medal and a picnic and a trip to mcdonalds for a warm drink and cookie. Today we went to a playcentre in the afternoon he does a karate class at teatime anyway. Tommorow is a sleepover at nannas.Thursday is swimming in the am and then halloween family party tea and trick or treating. Friday will be our chilled day. Saturday swimming lessons and a bonfire party. Sunday homework and getting ready for back to school. None of it is in anyway for social media. I simply want him out doing things not in front of a TV or screen at home.

As a teacher I find it so frustrating that some of my other mum friends will complain about "going places" during the holidays. I have no choice - it's then or never, as it is for many other parents. I can't share days out during term time or fit things in at the weekend because we all need our downtime between the mon-fri (plus the additional work I have) The dc will veg out at least one day a week.
This then means for us holidays are when we get busy doing the extra special fun things, for us that's days out. We get there early, are considerate and so far we haven't actually been anywhere that's been unenjoyable.
I don't judge anyone who doesn't need/want to do this during half terms but do find the attitude towards us that do as memory making muppets who infringe in those with the luxury of time tiresome.