To think it's just me that doesn't want the 6 weeks to end !

[seasonalnamepending]

Reading on here and on various other different social media platforms has me thinking that I am quite alone in not wanting my child to go back to school tomorrow.
I have absolutely loved the summer holidays - it's my first one after the first year in reception, and I just don't want her to go back!
I'm going to really miss her!
All I saw before the summer holidays was parents saying how much they were dreading it, and midway through saying they were counting down the days until September..
And now, all I am seeing is posts and videos of parents joking about how they will be at the gates early, practically shoving their children through the gates and skipping home afterwards.
It makes me quite sad. Why have children if you don't want to spend time with them??

Anyone else going to miss the time they get with their children during the holidays ?

No you're not alone. I was gutted that my DD went back today, we've had the best time. We flexischool though so she's only got one more day to go and then it's the weekend for us anyway. Is your DD excited to go back?

No I feel the same!!!

It's hard to juggle work and child care I guess, plus limited budgets and any behavioural problems.

I love my children but they are very demanding (additional needs) and I often parent on my own. I did miss the little blighters though and looked forward to picking them up from school today.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder!

Everyone misses them, but they just cover it with bad jokes to make light of it and not pass that anxiety/ sadness onto the child.

Me 🙋🏼‍♀️

I have 10 children (gave birth to number 10, 6 days ago).
I adore having them at home, and I hate the school run with a passion.

I count down to the next holidays as soon as they're back 😔

Yeah, I also enjoyed having mine at home BUT that’s because I’m not juggling annual leave, child care, worrying about feeding her three meals a day, I have a big enough house and some cash to have fun. It’s not a stretch to understand why many people are glad the kids are back.

I'm a little conflicted on this one. It's also been my sons first holidays. I'd say 4 weeks was enough. The last two days he has been really difficult because I imagine he is ready to get back in to a routine and is a bit bored - despite the fact we have done loads.

But equally I will miss him loads.

Always used to feel that way but was always in the minority.

I like both. I've enjoyed the holidays but I enjoy getting back into routine too. Don't feel particularly excited or disappointed either at the start or the end of the holidays. Both are fine.

I’m gutted the summer is over. I had my two primary school kids for all of July and August and took my youngest out of nursery for the same. They all went back this week and I miss the long summer days with them.

So, people struggling with juggling work, leave, entertaining kids etc etc are inferior parents and don’t want to spend time with their kids. I guess you’re just such a great parent, OP.
And no, my kids haven’t started school yet. I’m not sure how I’ll feel in the summers when they have, but I was rubbed the wrong way by your post.

Ds is 12 and I’m going to really miss him! Not looking forward to back to school at all and I was consoling myself thinking I’ll have another 6 weeks next year. I do think it might be good to get back into a routine though and he does love school (the social side at least!).

eta I do get others don’t feel that way though for lots of reasons. At the start of the hol I was juggling wfh and ds asking me to watch stuff etc which was hard at times and I have a fairly flexible job. I was lucky to have most of august off.

I think the fact you only have one DD might be the reason. It can get a bit much with multiple going kids.

They finish school/nursery at 3 so it's not like I don't spread time with them term time.

Well most people I know are working so don't get to spend all summer with their kids anyway! I had to work so summer holidays were no different to any other time.

I feel the same.

My DC are already back and more than a handful of random strangers (usually on their own walking a dog) have spoken to me as we’ve walked passed them on the school run and said ‘bet you are glad the holidays are over for some peace!’ Umm . . . No, actually.

Agree. I would feel like I was on an all inclusive if I had 1.

It's not that parents don't want to spend time with their kids but 6 weeks is a lot when there's no real structure to the day and you're running out of things to do. If you haven't got lots of money and able to do a lot of activities, then the park can get boring.

You need to remember that its 'the thing' to want to be rid of your DC in September. Like a big collective joke that people exaggerate about for laughs. They don't all hate spending time with their DC really its just what they feel they have to say. In reality some will have enjoyed it, some will have found it hard going to keep them happy. Some like the routine, time to themselves and less childcare issues. I'm sure the DC are loved just as your DD is, so no need to be sad.

That sounds amazing! Luckily my daughter absolutely loves school! So I don't worry about her going back in that sense. It's more my own emotions. I don't let her see that though!

What happens to people who homeschool. None of this applies. They cope all the time..
Rather admire them

Weirdly I love the feeling of not having my DC in a system, having them at home where they are free to be themselves without influences. Made me sad today to send them back to a classroom of 30 other kids and all the challenges that brings for small children.

Because as much as I love and cherish my daughter, she needs the mental stimulation of school and I can't walk around one more NT property without anything new to really to talk about that we haven't done together. A few days a week of clubs is not enough to generate interesting conversation.

Congratulations! I would absolutely love to have a big family. It must be so amazing, albeit hard work I guess!

I mean I understand both ways but most people are definitely joking when they say want their kids gone back to school haha. Not all kids are the same and some can be very hectic to occupy for 6 weeks straight after being used to the school routine.

My 7 year old went back today and it was a very noticeable absence in the house as she's so chatty! But it was really only 5 hours and after working around the house for a bit, it was already time to collect her.

You’re confusing other parents and their children being ready to go back to school with ‘not missing them’. Incorrect.