To find weekends stressful...?

[mommathatwearspink]

Two DC (5.5 & 2.5). We spend our weekends running around to activities and parties for them. When we are at home, they won’t play on their own... have to go from one activity to another and it’s 100 miles per hour and it’s all about the next meal.
We try and get our as much as possible but days like today when we are going to visit family shortly, it’s mayhem and i find it very stressful.

Me and DP work full time so weekends are for family time but we are also exhausted and would just love to sit down for half an hour. AIBU?

@TwoZeroTwoZero - I'm jealous - the party schedule here is ridiculous! And expensive. Oh and my DS when younger was exactly the same - made the most noise but disliked noise. He doesn't go to many parties it is his sister that gets lots of invites.

and it’s all about the next meal

I can totally relate to this! Once you've cleared up after one meal, you have about a half hour window before you have to start preparing the next.

I'm not a fan of weekends. I'm a sahm of school age children...the week is my weekend!

I'm going to go against the grain here - I have two sons, and they WILL NOT stay in the house quietly playing with their toys for hours, let alone a day. They are very active, and want and need a lot of stimulation. I find it WAY more stressful trying to "relax" at home with them both circling me like rabid monkeys or constant moaning and groaning about "what are we doing today?" Staying inside is an actual nightmare. For my own sanity, I have to go out at least once a day and let them run wild.

And it's not like they're undisciplined monsters; they're good boys and listen to mummy and daddy, but they have A LOT of physical energy and curiosity. Staying in for long periods of time isn't an option. I can understand why you go out a lot OP - however, I do also agree with the posters who have said it's important for kids to "learn" to entertain themselves. It's a hard balance to strike sometimes.

I agree. I.have one DC (now 13) and on my own with him most of the time. Activities.he loves to keep him busy but even then, there is always too much down time. I.love Mondays, school and I can get on with jobs and perhaps watch one programme on TV

Independent play and downtime, and shared child play is hugely important for child development.

Hurrying them from activity to activity does them no favours at all.

Independent play gives children confidence, imagination, control, and repetition allows them to reinforce their learning.

My parents inadvertently gave me an excellent childhood in that regard, and my siblings and I all thrived on it.

So stop doing so much. It really is that simple.

@TwoZeroTwoZero what is the app called for the LEGO? :)

This thread makes me think of how things were different a few decades ago, we used to just go out and explore, mind you I grew up on an island so a bit different, and by the sea! We used to play out from around 7-8 years, I remember finding old run down beach huts and having as a 'den', hiding under old upturned rowing boats when it rained, getting a hot dog at the cafe on the beach, not really having to be back for hours.

Then from around 12/13 I had a weekend job in the cafe and was rarely home.

I don't remember my parents being stressed, in fact they would be busy working at their holiday based business at weekends. (so would be home and available too, but busy)

I don;t really understand why people feel a 13 year old for example, needs to be with adults all the time, they can go out themselves surely (saying that my teens are often home with us too..although I do suggest they go off out)

Can't send a 13 year old with SEN out alone

I haven't rtft, but I think some of this is on you for not teaching your children how to occupy themselves without your help. At 2,5 I'd be relying on a nap to get me through the day with quiet video Lego or screen time for the older one. Outside to play in the garden once the little one had another year under his belt or so. Weekends are as hard as you make them really.

It gets easier, refuse some of the invites and go out as a family.

You’re not being unreasonable but are falling into the trap of everything revolving around the kids! Have friends over let the kids run riot and you enjoy some wine/cake whatever your vice is! Happy relaxed parents always make the best parents and the happiest kids!

@Orangeblossom78 if OP sent a 2.5 year old out to explore alone by the sea what do you think would happen?

@EatDiamondsForBreakfast
what is the app called for the LEGO? my dc made their own using a programme on their kiddizoom camera (but it's only on one of the cameras, it isn't on the other, newer version that we have for some reason) but if you go into the app store there's a free one called Lego Movie Maker that's meant to be good

@Watershed1

My ds was the same...he'd be bouncing round the house and off the walls if he didn't go out everyday and run round. I spent every weekend of my life in the park for a decade. He wasn't naughty or unruly just full of energy. He's 11 now and getting to the lazy teenager stage! My dd is the opposite...she can stay at home all day and keep herself occupied with crafts, Lego, dolls house etc.

It was activities/parties only on a Saturday for mine. Sundays were for everyone to relax.

Oh I understand, especially about it being all about the next meal!