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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Reels of parents dancing for joy when kids go to school

202 replies

Caterpillarcakeforlife · 05/09/2023 22:40

On Instagram & Fb.

I get it, I’m craving some space and time on my own now after a long summer. But I just find the really exaggerated reels on social media of the parents being so damn joyful to be getting rid of their kids and back to school a bit..uncomfortable/distasteful
Am I just a boring stick in the mud

OP posts:
BigButtons · 05/09/2023 22:41

It’s a bit pathetic. I teach. We deal with the little darlings the rest of the time.

Namemchangeforthispostonly101 · 05/09/2023 22:43

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns, so we've agreed to take this down now.

GalileoHumpkins · 05/09/2023 22:44

I'm assuming it's meant to be funny, you know, like a joke 🙄

Brightandshining · 05/09/2023 22:44

It's just a joke. Fair enough if you don't find it funny but bit much to complain about people even making it.

Kay286 · 05/09/2023 22:44

People are joking being, light-hearted. And yes for some it’s probably been hard work.

RicherThanYews · 05/09/2023 22:44

I would be delighted if just one other parent felt like me tbh, I am always crestfallen when my son goes back to school. He's a little smasher though and great company.

SouthLondonMum22 · 05/09/2023 22:46

It's meant to be light hearted. I wouldn't take it too seriously.

Caterpillarcakeforlife · 05/09/2023 22:46

I agree it’s hard work and has been for me a lot of the time too, but it’s mixed with a bit of sadness too. Maybe it’s just the exaggerated ones, it’s just not that funny 🤷🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
JSmithIloveyou · 05/09/2023 22:47

I hated mine going back to school. I was a single parent. Two daughters ..8 years apart.. but gosh we had some great times during school hols.. l wanted them to last forever.

My Grandkids are home educated.. my daughters are happy.. the kids are happy.Mental health over education is our motto...
And that doesn't mean sat at a table every day... it can be anywhere.. nature walks.. museums.. galleries.. swimming.. library.
So no we don't have to jump for joy.. thank goodness....

Theunamedcat · 05/09/2023 22:48

It's been hard work we have had a new kitchen fitted during the 6 weeks holiday the shit has hit the fan in several ways with transport suddenly being pulled for the eldest with 5 days to go sudden unexpected appointments being thrown in and my cat decided he was ill today im still not dancing with joy at the return to school yes ds2 has been a little sod running off everywhere but they would be upset if I started dancing about him not being here

SomeoneKeepsMovingMyChair · 05/09/2023 22:49

RicherThanYews · 05/09/2023 22:44

I would be delighted if just one other parent felt like me tbh, I am always crestfallen when my son goes back to school. He's a little smasher though and great company.

My kids are all secondary now but when they were primary age I loved loved loved the holidays and it was always a bit awkward with the "thank fuck that's over" brigade at the school gates. To be fair my son hated school and would go from a super happy little chap to an angry ball of rage overnight as soon as school was back so I always preferred the holidays!

Gingerlygreen · 05/09/2023 22:50

I really miss my two and love the school holidays.

I get that it's a joke and have noticed that the people on my social media who post things like that are the ones who are always joking about it being 'wine o'clock' and seem to miss their pre-kids social life

Caterpillarcakeforlife · 05/09/2023 22:50

@Theunamedcat Sorry it’s been so stressful, this is it, it’s the guilt too

OP posts:
Sometimeswinning · 05/09/2023 22:55

Caterpillarcakeforlife · 05/09/2023 22:46

I agree it’s hard work and has been for me a lot of the time too, but it’s mixed with a bit of sadness too. Maybe it’s just the exaggerated ones, it’s just not that funny 🤷🏻‍♀️

I just feel bad for them. I hate that mine are going back. We’ve loved the holidays. On the flip side though I don’t work the holidays so I have no childcare worries, a good set of friends with same age kids who are really social. If I didn’t have any of that I might find it really hard.

SouthLondonMum22 · 05/09/2023 22:58

Caterpillarcakeforlife · 05/09/2023 22:46

I agree it’s hard work and has been for me a lot of the time too, but it’s mixed with a bit of sadness too. Maybe it’s just the exaggerated ones, it’s just not that funny 🤷🏻‍♀️

I suppose it just comes down to your sense of humour and what you do/don't relate to.

I hate the memes which act like mums should enjoy every second with their children, the days are long but the years are short etc but some will really relate with them.

Allotmenthelp · 05/09/2023 23:02

@RicherThanYews I feel the same as you. I’ve had the most wonderful 6 weeks with my little one and I’m gutted she’s going back to school.

Xmasbaby11 · 05/09/2023 23:03

It’s just a joke though! I guess with young kids and limited money it’s hard work for a lot of parents.

personally I enjoy the time off with the kids but I work most of the summer - it’s our busiest time - so it’s challenging juggling childcare for 9yo and 11yo asd dd. I would love to have the whole time off with them.

Eve223 · 05/09/2023 23:04

I find it very sad. Most of them probably regret having DC and wish they were child free.

doroda · 05/09/2023 23:06

Some people find the holidays really bloody hard and a bit of humour helps with that.

The holidays are horrendous for us. DD has ASD and every day is marred by meltdowns. She fares far better with the routine of school, leaving the house at the same time, wearing the same things etc. I count down the days until she goes back, which of course makes me feel shit and guilty for wishing the time away.

So when I see those kind of posts or memes I feel grateful that it's not just me, it makes me feel a little less shit. I particularly like the toodleloo motherfucker car window one 😂

Georgeandzippyzoo · 05/09/2023 23:07

I've seen a couple today and although I'm not offended or anything, I did suddenly think how would their kids feel if they saw that. I know it's supposed to be funny for other adults to see but kids don't have that understanding and I can see some being pretty upset.

Gahhhhereheisagain · 05/09/2023 23:12

I don't get it as my life is very similar in the school holidays to in term time. Wake up, get everyone ready, drive to holiday club, pick up later. I have one week off with them. Surely most parents lives these days are very similar whether it's school or not. It's not like back to school time means having 6 hours of free time Monday to Friday does it?

mondaytosunday · 05/09/2023 23:15

There's that Christmas song from the 50s (or thereabouts) that talk about how parents can't wait for the kids to be back at school - so not something new!
I'm happy when they get back into some sort of routine but wouldn't post about it.

Noodledoodledoo · 05/09/2023 23:18

From the two class groups I am in, there is a high correlation with the mums who don't work and the ones celebrating the children going back to school. Also similar correlation with moaning about strike action and the mums who don't work.

I work term time, so I have been lucky not to need to juggle holiday childcare, we have had enough of each other so a return to work/school is welcomed, but I am not overjoyed and gleeful about it.

I have come to terms with the fact where I live is very split in terms of lifestyle.

Caterpillarcakeforlife · 05/09/2023 23:23

@Noodledoodledoo Where do you live? So are you saying the ones who don’t work don’t want them to go back?

OP posts:
Youdoyoubabe · 05/09/2023 23:24

We’ve had a nice summer. I will miss them but house will be a bit tidier I guess. I am quite neglectful in the summer though. I just work and they kick around doing whatever.

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