To hate being at home in the school holidays?

[AAAHHHHH]

I'm at home with my 4 year old and she's driving me crazy. She won't stop talking, I can't even listen to an audiobook.

Everytime I tell her to play in her room, she just follows me. I can't get much cleaning done and theres no point really as she keeps making a mess.

We cant go anywhere as theres nothing to do for free (no money atm) and it's raining so the park is off our list.

I feel terrible as well, because shes so inquisitive but I just really hate having to tell her why and what and how to nearly everything.

Your kid wants you to be a parent

THIS

A movie is a good idea on a rainy day. Nothing wrong with that. Especially if you sit and watch together

YANBU to find the holidays frustrating and exhausting.

YABU in your expectations. Listening to an audiobook with a 4 year old there is never going to happen!!

We’re doing a mix of indoor (baking, art & craft, film, games) and outdoor (DD loves the park in the rain for puddle splashing) and the free sessions at the library (tomorrow is a music session at one & a storytelling session at another).

Poor child

A movie sounds a good idea and your theatre trip tomorrow sounds nice. It’s nearly the end of the day now and we’ve all felt like you at times (well I certainly used to). Sometimes the days just felt so long.

we’ve all felt like you at times (well I certainly used to). Sometimes the days just felt so long

Reassuring to read things like this

I feel like a shit mum when I dont engage with her as much and some of the comments on here are already nasty.

Nothing wrong with sticking her a film on at all. Maybe expecting her to sit and watch it is being a bit hopeful but fingers crossed you get 30 mins peace and quiet.

Urgh love all the perfect parent replies. Being a parent doesn't mean you need to love it 100% of the time. Actually the holidays can be so intense and tiring even as a parent since we're human. I am currently watching a film with my youngest it does get easier I promise! (Older 2 11&14 in their rooms chilling)

@AAAHHHHH I’m with you. I love her to bits but my god the holidays can be boring for me. I’ve been pretending to be a mermaid for the last two hours and I’m about ready to blow my brains out. It’s pissing down and the baby has just gone down for a nap so going to a park to burn off some steam isn’t on the cards.

Also my kitchen looks like a unicorn vomited in it because of craft/ baking activities that we did yesterday. Entertaining a 4 year old is a full time job and even thou you love them to bits I think it ok to not enjoy the relentlessness of the holidays.

Good luck surviving the rest of the week OP!

Can you play some board games, let her help cook/bake, movie day, wrap up and go to the park for a little bit and maybe feed the ducks, go to the library they may have some activities on that she can join in with, Everyone has days when it's just tiring hopefully tomorrow is better for you x

The best strategy at that age is to give her your full, uninterrupted time and attention. Interact with her, draw with her, read to her, answer any questions she asks, look at her drawings when she wants you to, etc, until she drifts off to doing something on her own. She wants and needs your attention. It's better to satisfy that than to try to block it out all day long.

I used to work from home, and that was the best strategy for everyone involved. Much more effective than, "Just let me finish this one thing...."

Most of our local parks are under flood water so they're kind of ruled out even in the most robust coat and wellies at present (unless you're into canoeing) - they serve as the flood plain to protect the local area.

Mine are away with grandparents to save me needing childcare this week - they're having a whale of a time, but I miss them loads... doesn't stop them having the capacity to be incredibly fucking annoying small versions of myself when they ARE here mind.

Please dont come on here and expect sympathy from everyone. We all have, and are entitled to, our own opinions. Your child sounds like she is trying to reach out for your constant attention for whatever reason and will pick up on the slightest attempt to ignore / push them away . They may be as bored as you are. Regardless of the weather, if not extreme, put your coats and wellies on and get outside, the fresh air will do you both good. Count cars, birds, look for different shapes, colours, cats, spiders...anything ! Children dont come with a handbook, you have to use your imagination sometimes. Not everything costs money. Sorry but no sympathy from my side of the camp.

Oh the school holidays are hard

I chose to work and use holiday clubs!

You need to get out of the house, or you'll go crackers. I do think CBeebies is perfectly acceptable to have on for a while, the programmes are all educational (iirc, when DS was little it was).

But even then you still need to get out. There are still places you can go for free, like museums for example. Even though the weather is pants, you can still put on hats and coats and go out for walks (dress them up as treasure hunts ie finding or spotting things if that helps), go shopping for a few items (maybe baking items? Then you can use them when you get back), try the library for fun books or activities (your local paper might advertise events, or those magazines schools give out if she's at school).

Your local area might not be great for walking in, ours has beaches, woods, common and heathlands all within a reasonable distance, but even if you are in a city there will still be places to visit.

I feel for you, it's much easier if you have a bit of spare cash. When DS was small we used to hop on a bus and go on a bit of a tour, he really enjoyed bus trips and my season ticket meant it didn't cost me any more (under five travelled free, but might not be the same in other areas). I was desperate to get out the house for at least part of the day though, it was easier to manage knowing I had just the morning indoors or just the afternoon - splitting the day up made it much more tolerable, and the change of scene was good for both us.

A den of sheets over a chair is a good idea. Especially if you give her a little picnic to take in with her. Although there is always the chance she will want you to crawl in with her.

Can you draw a plan of the day with your daughter? Incorporate free things such as colouring together, feeding the ducks and arranging a play date. Then add into it time when your daughter is to play so you can get stuff done. Set a timer when you need the time and she knows what is happening next? The questions might be because she wants to know what is happening during the day?

Yes it's particularly difficult if she is the sort of child who needs constant playing with. My eldest was like this and after a morning of engaging play, baking cakes, craft etc I resorted to putting on a video just to get some breathing space. Can you invite another mum with a similar age DC round so they can play together? If not give her jobs to do while you do housework. A wet cloth to wipe the skirting boards while you hoover, get her to play washing up in the sink with some plastic cups and plates while you work in there. Also playdoh is good fun for them and can keep them occupied while you get on provided that you have them somewhere they can't get out and wander around with it and on a hard floor so it doesn't get dropped on the carpet.

For goodness sake is the poor woman not allowed to feel overwhelmed at times? Way to go to make someone feel better about themselves.

If you’re very stressed I know it can be hard to parent as you have to be very “in the moment” with them, rather than being able to switch off.

However I do think listening to an audio booking is incredibly unrealistic!

I can’t believe you actually expected to be able to listen to an audio book in peace with a 4 year old??

As for suggestions, you know you can go outside in the rain? There’s museums and library’s, shops to walk round. You can set up a messy play station with bowls of pasta/rice/water etc. That keeps mine busy for a good hour. Can you visit a friend or relative with chicken? Failing that give her a phone or an iPad for a break