Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To dread bank holidays?

103 replies

Nellie8 · 06/05/2023 07:24

I wish we didn't have bank holiday weekends. I've got 2 pre school kids and family stuff I have to go to.

I just like our routine and I like my job and I struggle with bank holiday weekends. It just seems too much time to fill. The noise is constant. My mum is difficult and expects certain things. My 4 year DD is very full on and often has mini meltdowns. She just wants to watch screens or she is so hyper (think loo rolls being run about, her emptying the washing machine, stuffing food down the back of the sofa).

I just feel I should be all positive about not having to go to work but I miss it.

Am I being an old misery guts?

OP posts:
Sissynova · 06/05/2023 07:25

Yep.

MathsNervous · 06/05/2023 07:27

This is the third week of this for us now. Getting fed up with it.

Tatapie · 06/05/2023 07:28

No I get it and 3 in one month is a lot! Maybe carve out some time for a quiet activity for you and DD eg both of you sit & colour crowns whilst the coronation is on tv?

YukoandHiro · 06/05/2023 07:28

I feel the same. I'm also self employed and my income/work load is completely screwed this month. I'm exhausted and really fed up. And it's almost sodding half term again.

produ · 06/05/2023 07:28

I bloody love them!

QuiltedHippo · 06/05/2023 07:29

Manic period at work, I do 80% so losing another day in the week is making life very stressful at the moment

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 06/05/2023 07:30

I absolutely love Bank Holidays - but I don't put any pressure on myself to go anywhere or do anything. We just laze about at home mostly.

mogsrus · 06/05/2023 07:32

never got to grip with them, don’t see the point. I want a day off when I want it, not foisted on me thanks, they are well past the sell by date now

LiftyLift · 06/05/2023 07:32

Agree with you as a parent of small children.

Marmite27 · 06/05/2023 07:32

I love bank holidays, but having a 4 year old - that behaviour isn’t typical. Mine didn’t do any of that at 3! I mean they can be horrors over screen time, but none of the other stuff.

FinchHinch · 06/05/2023 07:33

I hear you!

When my kids were that age, I worked in the evenings so it wasn't necessarily the routine. It was the expectation that people who were off suddenly wanted to see you. So the kids were ferried around to people's houses where there was fuck all for them to do. So they got bored and started climbing the walls etc.

And all the activities I usually did with the kids were ridiculously busy. I've since found out my eldest is autistic and looking back he really did not cope well at all in busy places. He still doesn't but we try to avoid the hustle and bustle now and booking everything after Covid has helped loads too.

Do you have anywhere nearby that you can take the kids out for a huge walk and ask people to meet you on? I always felt better with my DC when we were outdoors somewhere.

YukoandHiro · 06/05/2023 07:41

Oh give over @Marmite27

Ivalueloyaltyaboveallelse · 06/05/2023 07:42

I absolutely love them. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. Don’t feel pressured to see your extended family if you don’t want to. Your 4 year old sounds like a handful maybe take her out to burn some energy then plan some indoor activities you’d actually want to do.

mynameiscalypso · 06/05/2023 07:43

I would normally love a bank holiday but yes, a bank holiday with small children is not much fun.

Original poster
Nellie8 · 06/05/2023 07:53

@Ivalueloyaltyaboveallelse I think that's the issue...I'm not convinced I actually do enjoy spending all this time with my friends and family. That's awful to write down. But whether its my baby, my crazy 4 year old, my husband, or my snobby mother - I just feel pressure from all of them, on at me constantly. I mean obviously expected of the kids but I find 3 solid days with them all a lot - which is horrible to admit. I would feel better if it wasn't going to rain but taking the kids outside is the only time the pressure eases. Being indoors or at family events feels like a pressure cooker

OP posts:
Bellyrumble · 06/05/2023 07:58

Personally I love them as it’s a day off work and to spend with my 18m old son who I don’t see very much due to working all week (10 hour days, 5 days a week) but I also don’t put the pressure on “family time” just because the weekend is longer than 2 days.

tend to take things as they come, have a chilled time at home, do some cleaning, and not make any plans in advance, it takes away from that pressure cooker environment that you mention OP. Take the pressure off yourself and don’t make plans as such, “no thank you” is perfectly acceptable and I feel much better for realising that!

Ivalueloyaltyaboveallelse · 06/05/2023 08:02

@Nellie8 I’m sorry to hear that. Sounds like you need a break from everyone. Would it be possible to spend one day of this weekend doing something that makes you happy and relaxed.

Sipperskipper · 06/05/2023 08:05

I love them but that's because DH is around too. Its normally me doing school run / general daily routine with 5 & 2 yr old, so its nice to have a break from that. Also we don't visit family etc, just do normal stuff in the garden, go to the park etc, so overall it's pretty chilled.

newtowelsplease · 06/05/2023 08:07

I used to feel the same when my kids were that age OP. It doesn't last long, in a couple more years they'll be back to feeling like a treat! (as long as you don't have any more babies)

PickoftheMix · 06/05/2023 08:09

I like it that I can enjoy Sunday without get those "school night" blues in anticipation of Monday. Oddly I don't get the same feeling on the Monday about Tuesday being work tomorrow? I like waking up Tuesday knowing there's only 4 days left of the work week...

LlynTegid · 06/05/2023 08:09

I can understand why it is difficult for you. However, bank holidays have existed since Victorian times and I would not wish to see the end of them.

Iliketulips · 06/05/2023 08:11

You don't have to see family just because it's a bank holiday! As regards your DD would it be easier to get yourselves out for the day? DD shouldn't rule the roost, so if you go out, no screens. If you incorporate a long walk and play area/ball game into it, that find wear DD out a little. Unless is absolutely pouring with rain, it won't hurt going out this time of year.

If not, why not ask DH if you can have some time to yourself - if only to buy a few things you might need in town (ie things for upcoming birthdays, toiletries), a potter and maybe coffee. Or maybe someone you would chose to meet, like a friend?

lollipoprainbow · 06/05/2023 08:37

Can't stand bank holidays, I like to choose when I take time off work!

thefinaltwist · 06/05/2023 08:44

I don't get any bank holidays at work. This is the only one this year so to me its a novelty and I plan to enjoy it

gogohmm · 06/05/2023 08:46

I love them but then my kids are adults, they are safely tucked up in bed where they will remain until at least 1pm