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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Anyone feel like they didn’t do enough with their kids over the Easter hols compared to their friends?

71 replies

Springandsummerarecoming · 20/04/2022 16:08

Both my youngest two have friends who are out and about every single day. Day trips here and there. One of mine has only had a couple of days with friends at the local park. The other has had an hour at the trampoline park with a friend too. That’s it. It just doesn’t compare to their friends who have had weekends in London etc etc. just feeling a bit fed up really although my kids don’t really know any different anyway.

OP posts:
OnceuponaRainbow18 · 20/04/2022 16:11

One of mine has been quite poorly with a chest infection so we’ve barely done anything, sometimes it’s quite nice to chill. But yes wish we’d done more, managed to get the well one into a holiday club for a bit of entertainment

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 20/04/2022 16:13

Last night I asked my Cubs what they did in the holidays. Answers included..

I went to school today
We took the caravan to a field
We saw Grandma

I'm sure if we asked the parents we would get completely different answers!

HumunaHey · 20/04/2022 16:14

Do their kids actually enjoy doing something every single day though? Independent play is important. As a child, I'd have found a trip every day quite tiresome. I liked playing in my garden or on the street with friends. For a 2 week half term, we'd probably have done one or two things that went beyond that, maybe a trip to a beach or funfair.

Don't pressure yourself into doing an outing everyday. Most parents these days are just doing it for social media and others are doing it out of guilt (i.e. trying to keep up with parents on social media).

lanbro · 20/04/2022 16:15

Have your children been happy? That's the main thing. We haven't done loads, a couple of day trips, they're both at friends houses today, but they just enjoy being out on their bikes and playing. I've taken some time off work so they're liking just being with me, boardgames etc

Some people can't just be, they always need something organised, and I bet quote often they wish they could just chill out at home!

Oneborneverydecade · 20/04/2022 16:46

I've worked 3 of the 4 working weekdays. DD4 has been at nursery on those days. We did go away over the weekend thankfully
I do feel guilty that on playdates at ours DS10 and his friends have been stuck indoors. Today he's gone on a playdate that included the cinema, park and pizza express 😳

Blinkingheckythump · 20/04/2022 16:49

Comparison is the thief of joy. No doubt there is someone out there envious of what your ds has managed to do this Easter holiday

Original poster
Springandsummerarecoming · 20/04/2022 16:52

True. I guess we’ve done more than some. Just wish I had the time, money and inclination to give them a ‘wow’ Easter holiday!

OP posts:
LadyCordeliaFitzgerald · 20/04/2022 16:54

Mine would be begging for a lazy day if we did that much.

Ohmygoshyoudontsay · 20/04/2022 16:55

That's not all your kids have done. They've been off for the same length of time as the others. Have they been playing out or in the garden, reading, doing art or watching films? Those are the things people who have day trips every single day miss out on. We like a mix of the 2. My DC like being out and about as long as they still get plenty of time for playing with their friends and with each other and relaxing as well.

Phos · 20/04/2022 17:01

I get where you're coming from, if I go by Facebook I'd think we were the only family on earth not to be off on holiday somewhere this week. I think they need some time to relax though, my daughter likes having days at home where she can play on her tablet, colour, do lego, bake etc.

Original poster
Springandsummerarecoming · 20/04/2022 17:06

One of mine would live a day trip every day the other likes gaming too much. But yes they’ve been in the garden and done some art and stuff. Just feels a bit boring but we have done what we can and that’s all that matters.

OP posts:
Topbird29 · 20/04/2022 17:07

Mine have played too much switch! Only 8 and 10 though. Tried to get to local park on a couple of days for an hour or so. 1 cinema trip, and 1 day out done. A couple of playdates with friends. Not overly exciting, but hopefully more about chilling. I don't drive, so can't be taking them here, there and everywhere. Live rurally, so local bus links aren't great. Plus they get a bit travel sick! Also, days out can be expensive (despite taking packed lunches). Have got legoland planned for a june inset day though. And June weekends will all be busy - birthdays, camping, school fayre etc. Then summer will be a week away at start (uk), and weekend at end. But prob not too much excitement in between.

FourTeaFallOut · 20/04/2022 17:18

We spent the entire long weekend doing essential work on the house so they didn't do anything that they couldn't sort for themselves. This is life sometimes, isn't it? It can't be wall to wall picture moments- shit needs to get done.

frostedfruits · 20/04/2022 17:23

My boy, 12, had a couple of days playing football locally with his mates which he arranged himself. He was so excited he got up really early and was ready hours early Grin
He had another day playing outside his grandma's with his cousin and little kiddie neighbours on their trampoline, he said it was his best day ever. I worked so hespent some days at his dad's and at grandparents. He chilled and bonded and relaxed.
Children love to play with other children. My best childhood memories were being off playing out locally with local kids. You can't beat it!

frostedfruits · 20/04/2022 17:28

Also, people tell all about big day trips and holidays but not about the traffic jams, family rows and kids fighting! As long as my kids are happy I don't care what we do

Pegasussnail · 20/04/2022 17:38

We didn't do many trips. One I think and we wil go to the cinema and park before back to school on Tues next. We did an NT hunt and the kids have played in the garden. I've done some DIY and had much needed rest.
With the cost of fuel and all trips mounting in price. I don't mind the face we've took it easy at all. Don't care what others have done. We are happy.

Pegasussnail · 20/04/2022 17:39

Fact (not face)

FabulouslyFab · 20/04/2022 17:40

Blinkingheckythump · 20/04/2022 16:49

Comparison is the thief of joy. No doubt there is someone out there envious of what your ds has managed to do this Easter holiday

Exactly - it isn’t a competition and who wants to spend leisure time queueing up for attractions??

CrowAndArrow · 20/04/2022 17:45

I had one kid when I was very poor and holidays were spent drawing, playing, building dens, going to the local cat rescue, woods etc.

My other kid grew up where money wasn't tight and we spent the holidays going on holiday, zoos, theme parks, theatre etc.

Both of their best memories were playing with friends in the garden with buckets of water.

Moochio · 20/04/2022 17:49

Boredom is important

crackingreward · 20/04/2022 17:50

I have never been interested in what other people do with their kids, never mind interested enough to compare it with what I do.

Do what suits you and yours.

Fizbosshoes · 20/04/2022 17:54

I live in quite an affluent area but have very average income (as in RL national average, not MN average of 100k +)
In half term almost everyone goes skiing or somewhere tropical, it's like a ghost town, and most people do more interesting things, because me and DH are usually working. My DC are used to friends being away, but they haven't complained, and they've enjoyed the things we have done. They've each had a couple of outings with friends and I've taken them our a few times.

I think its sometimes difficult if you think everyone is doing things but in reality there will be lots of people who are unable to go out at all (either through financial or circumstantial reasons) but they won't be telling everyone about it!

BogRollBOGOF · 20/04/2022 18:03

We did have a bigger day out but that was for a birthday and it was lovely not to have it in lockdown for the first time in what feels like forever to a junior's age child. The other "biggish" thing was going further affield to a different NT property out of our usual range.

We've been to Costco, a village playground, today was playing football in the local park. Probably one of the biggest highlights was free range running around between our house/ garden and the neighbours. It's been a gentle, entertain yourself holiday.

Pickingmyselfup · 20/04/2022 18:11

We've done nothing particularly interesting. They've been for walks in new places, an Easter party and just general play in the park and garden next door.

They have been at nursery and holiday club 3 days both weeks because I had work. I haven't been up to doing anything afterwards this week because I have covid and am feeling blerugh.

They don't seem to mind though and if they did well then tough. I was never taken on trips here there and everywhere every holiday, my favourite memories are staying at home and playing outside.

It does help though that nursery and holiday club are met with absolute joy as opposed to oh no not again.

LaWench · 20/04/2022 18:14

I worked straight through, DH was around. We didn't do anything special with them, played at home with friends, on the trampoline or went out with them. They went to their GPs for a few nights. I think the DC need downtime to chill out and not be doing all the time.