To ask what you do with your kids during half term?

[cpeacock]

Almost 39 weeks pregnant and my 4 year old is on half term. I'm finding it really hard at the minute.

I know I need to just get on with it but I'm struggling so much, my body and bump is aching unbelievably and I'm drained from constantly having to entertain him and do activities out of the house.

He's autistic which brings its own challenges in its own right. He used to be happy playing and entertaining himself alone, but lately he constantly wants my input and his current fixation is car journeys. He will ask for this until I give in and has meltdowns over it.

Yesterday, we went for lunch, visited family and went to the park. Today we have been shopping and the park again. Tomorrow we are going out for lunch again with grandparents then soft play in the afternoon. Thursday we are going to a sensory play session.

It's so so hard right now I can't even explain. I wish I had my DH to help but paternity leave/AL starts next week. He can't take any other leave right now. Grandparents will be helping next week when the new baby comes so I don't expect any help from them either.

Do other people do activities most days in the holidays with their kids? I feel like I'm doing too much and my body is just crying out for a rest 😔

Wow you are doing lots.

I've planed things for 3 days then Thursday will be day if rest (kids will play ill be cleaning house)

Remembering how I felt 2nd time my pelvic area ached so much. I used one of those bands that go round the bump which helped.

When you say he likes car journeys. You could go for a drive if that's comfortable for you.

Maybe see if there is any activity he could do at home that your DP could pick up on way home from work.

If he enjoys TV or using tablet and if it gives you rest go for it. Maybe look at things that were run during lockdown online like drawing or joe wicks.

Hope you get to rest.

You really need to cut yourself some slack, you're heavily pregnant, you should be taking it easy!
It's good for children to get bored and learn to cope with it, doing activities every day is too much.

My 4 year old's HT was last week. We were out daily: soft play, play sessions, bouncy castle park, discovery centre, swimming and the cinema. Lots of these places do SEN sessions so I'd look out for these, especially ones that would give you a rest like the cinema!

If he's interested in vehicles, could you go to Diggerland or go on a scenic train ride? Might be worth enlisting a family member for help, if needed, so you aren't doing all the running after.

Saturday we went to a lunar/Chinese new year thing, with story telling, crafts, lion dancers etc. Sunday beach walk and cinema, Monday soft play play date with class mates then gymnastics, today we went to the young Victoria and Albert museum, for a mooch about and for a late lunch. Tomorrow we have DHs family visiting not sure of exact plans yet, Thursday we are going to a farm with cousins etc, Friday we need to get his half term homework project done and he has a swimming lesson, Saturday will be a bit quieter he has a haircut booked and we have a trail thing at the local nature reserve with a friend of mine and her daughter. Sunday we're going to my mum and dad's for Sunday lunch once I get back from a gym class. Back to school Monday. We've both booked the week off work so making the most of it.

Bloody hell, I can't think of anything worse than trudging round somewhere like Diggerland at 39 weeks pregnant!
A scenic train ride sounds more appealing

Could you go round and round on a bus? At least you get to sit down then! and kids love going on a bus if it's different to what they normally do!

For a half term I would have three days out - maybe one big thing and couple smaller things. Other days films/tv/art/craft/walks/park. I keep an eye out for free activities in local area to keep costs down.

@NameChange30, I should have been a bit clearer. I meant Diggerland might be an option if OP could rope in some family to take her DC. Otherwise I think cinema or train ride would work better for OP given she's havily pregnant and tired!

We do go out every day but mostly very low key places. Instead of seeing the grandparents for lunch and then going to soft play, can they just take him to lunch and soft play for you?

I have 2. They are 3 and 5. We went to the science museum, the natural history museum, the park and the soft play. But I'm not heavily pregnant.

I had my youngest at 38 weeks and frankly getting through a day with an almost 2 year old was exhausting. I did millisa and doug reusable puffy sticker books, I did messy play usually with cereal (rice crispys. Weetabix or porridge oats) , and farm animals or mini trucks. I did crafts. If you want do do something educational reading eggs and mathseed are doing a free 30 day trail. Don't worry about the screen time but do make it educational think number blocks, alpha blocks anything on cbeebies.

Please cut yourself some slack. You need rest.