To just let kids watch iPads every day for half term

[sosickofarseholes]

So so bored of trying to come up with anything exciting to do. We have barely left the house since February and had finally decided to rent a cottage which it appears won’t now be an option due to impending restrictions. I’ve been racking my brains to come up with nice things to do and I just can’t be bothered. I have the week off with the kids and I should be trying to think of nice things like hot chocolate walks and exploring and I’m just done. Can’t be arsed with trying to be positive any more.

Why have you barely left the house? You’ve probably all got vitamin D deficiency, if that’s true. That wouldn’t help mood.

Well yes, you are. Why don't you ask them for ideas?

Orienteering? There are load of fixed courses then you print out the map before you go. Easy and free.

How old are your kids?

Try not to put too much Pressure on yourself. It is hard coming up with things to do all day every day. There I a lot of hours to fill. even if you get out for a walk for an hour and a trip to the park, spend a couple of hours playing with them throughout the day and then let them have their iPads whilst you get things done :relax.

So so sick of walking around the same places.

Would they like making Halloween decorations, and decorating the house for Halloween? They can't have done that so far this year!
I think it is fine to let them used the iPad more than you would usually do during half term, but it would be a bit grim for them if that is all they do for a week.

Stick wellies on and go for walks , tramline park? If young enough soft play but in my area it’s limited time and more Expensive now ! Awful! Cinema ? On iPad all day every day is not good I have to say, try and mix is up with other stuff.

Try somewhere different ? If you don’t drive get a bus to some nice area and see something different.

How old are they? It’s going to be a long, dark, shit winter. The only way we’re all going to get through it in one piece is to be creative.

I sound so depressed here, I’m not I just can’t face any of the things we’d normally do to pass the time because I can’t be bothered, I’ve exhausted every craft we’ve made food we’ve been for walks we’ve swapped bedrooms, we’ve had interesting baths and Pajama days, it just all feels the same and there’s nothing to look forward to. We can’t see anyone due to a health condition and where we live, no one can come here, we can’t access the garden for months because we have a dangerous issue in it so the access is out of bounds

For god's sake of course you can't just shove your kids on iPads all day.

Get out go walking, bike riding, to national trust places,the park. You could drive somewhere different every day for a walk and explore.

Are you ok? You sound really overwhelmed and depressed. Totally understandable in the situation, but forcing yourself out will be better for you and them.

How old are your kids?

You're right, you do sound depressed.

It IS really hard to be creative & think of new things or find the enthusiasm for yet another walk.

However, as parents, it's kind of part of the job description to do your best for your kids and that often involves doing shit you don't want to 🙇🏻‍♀️

How old are they?

Tell us a bit about them & we'll try to help

Autumn/winter is a great time to go and get leaves/twigs/pine cones & crap and there's so much you can do with them - even older kids secretly enjoy it! I find getting some clay always goes down well. Middling obviously, but also using as a base to stick the leaves/things/crap into and making 3D models etc.

Can the garden issue get sorted? That’s frustrating and limiting. Also do you have a car, OP? We don’t and that makes going out more of a faff to places other than very locally. We do go for walks very regularly though. What about board games? We have some that are fun for everyone. Put a tent up in your house and let DC camp there or get them to make a tent/fort and play/sleep there overnight. Make silly family videos, tell stories by candlelight (big thing in my house), play musical statues. If they’re teens these won’t work as well, but assuming younger as you organised crafts. Do a craft like rag rug making where they could have it in their bedroom? Print off Christmas cards and get them to colour/stencil ready for December. Indoor picnic.

Ps. It can feel samey and uninspiring at home, especially when not seeing others, could you Video call friends or family over that time - it takes up time and helps the loneliness. We did a family quiz together which was fun and gave us something to enjoy. Not the same as in person, but better than nothing.

I do feel like there is a massive expectation nowadays to constantly entertain kids and do things all the time. I spent my whole childhood in my garden, never went on holiday or for a meal out, partly because my parents simply couldn’t afford it but partly because no one (that I knew anyway) just “did” things every day. I grew up in a fairly depressed area though and it was the norm for us. My DP grew up far from deprived and he did experience quite a bit more but it wasn’t a daily thing.

Whilst we will try and have one “day out” during half term as a family we will be working quite a bit so there won’t be too much going on. My DS May go to a holiday club that is his main hobby but it won’t be every day and my youngest just needs a rest after her first half term.

You can't do that, no matter how cba you feel. The walks will be different in the Autumn to how they were in the summer. What is the dangerous garden issue? How can you get that sorted?

I think you would just feel worse afterwards.

Baking
Painting
DIY
Bike rides
Cafe
Swimming
would all make you feel a bit better.

You don’t have to come up with loads of stuff. You just don’t have to be entertaining them all the time. Let them be bored. At some point they’ll have to work out what to do themselves.

You sound like you need a break. Some me time.

Do you have support in real life like a partner or anyone who would have the kids?

The kids are sick to death of video calling people. We can’t meet anyone due to lockdown restrictions and the garden issue wont be sorted for months. I don’t think I am depressed I have done all of the things above since February but I’ve come to the end of my tolerance for making craft activities and going for a walk around the block exciting

Can you have a drive to the coast (if possible) nice beach walk all wrapped up or maybe somewhere outdoors - don't know where you are located but for example the Yorkshire sculpture park type of place

Yanbu
Just saying that
It’s a very tricky situation you are in
So maybe posting wasn’t a great idea with everyone bollocking you
It’s also so hard to feel inspired when it’s grey and rainy

What would you have done if you had gone to the rented cottage? Might you be able to do some of those things nearer to home?

Don’t give up on your week away just yet anyway.