To feel like I've let myself and my kids down this summer?

[Issummeroveralready]

So back to school next week and I feel I have let the kids down this summer. We've hardly done anything. They've played lots of computer games and played in the garden, but haven't put them into any clubs or anything. They've seen friends a tiny bit but we've missed out on all the fun and parties other people seem to be having. Partly because we've been a bit disorganised and partly because I've had to work. I feel genuinely sad the summer is over as for personal reasons I haven't really had any fun. I have managed to get a bit fitter and lost a bit of weight, but that's about it. AIBU to feel we haven't made the most of this summer?

@BerryPieandCustard

When I told my wider family about our holiday they were a bit miffed that we went all that way to stay inside but it was actually just what we needed.

your family was “miffed” about what you did on a holiday that weren’t on? How odd!

I feel the same, DH and I haven’t had a single day off this summer holiday due to work pressures. We are now both off this week and I haven’t niece and nephew for the week also.
we have barely done anything as weekends are full of housework/laundry etc and the kids are now 11-15 so going to the park doesn’t cut it and we haven’t had the budget for theme parks etc. we have done some walks but they are so walked out from the lockdowns when we couldn’t do anything else!!

I planned on going for a walk every day in the hopes of losing a little weight. I did not! So massive well done to you for losing the weight.

think of it as empowering them to be resourceful in organising their own time.

Just seen some enterprising children washing cars for what you can afford.
So much better than sitting there expecting parents to spend money on you.

I'm sure you've done your best.

Oh love, don't feel guilty! I'm sure your kids loved their summer. Besides, all the grand plans and outings that people might organise don't always mean the same thing to the kids as the adults. I had a week of day trips with my kids. Took ages to plan, quite expensive etc. I asked them for their favourite part of the week... Their unanimous answer? Going on the bus! (Park and ride into a city where we did what I hoped was fun stuff) 😫

Summer is always like this - you start with high hopes of all the lovely things you're going to do and all the memories you're going to make, forgetting that actually you have to work, do chores and have no money anyway!

I'm sure you've done fine OP - your kids have had much needed time to decompress before the new school year.

Don’t put so much pressure on yourself, you’ve done what you can and fun isn’t limited to summer holidays, there’s always next time, weekends and the next half term.

Thanks. The kids are completely feral now. Roll on school!

Yes same here! Kids have gone completely wild, we badly need some order back in our lives, routines, discipline even!