To be dreading the holiday

[nonotchristmas]

I broke up today. Kids off for two weeks. They go to private day nursery but because of the days they do (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) they are in Monday and then that’s it, because Wednesday is of course Christmas Day and nursery is closed for a week so the next day they are in is Friday 3rd January.

And I know I’m going to be roasted like the turkey for this but I’m dreading it. Two weeks where I won’t get a single break from them, in the house they fight and whine and the youngest follows me round crying to be picked up all the time. Feeding them is increasingly expensive and challenging. Entertaining them is a nightmare, I’ve booked a few things but everything is so expensive again with a Christmas premium on it, I know I’ll get told to ‘just take them to the park’ but please don’t: parks are absolutely lethal with a completely fearless preschooler and a cheery but clueless toddler: slippy equipment the slip on and smash their chins open (ask me how I know) so soft play it is, again and again and again.

But it’s the day in day out nature of it. It’s knackering and two full weeks of it is hideous. And expensive. And help me

@nonotchristmas No I get what you mean, and it depends a huge amount on the kind of kids you have. My daughter is basically a lovely little potato, loves reading, crafts, pretend play, and dancing/music. And she hates the wind and being cold, so it's not as simple as wrapping up (5 layers is not enough apparently) to go puddle jumping in the park! My son though is hyperactive and can't sit still, and we live in a flat. It can be stressful. The exhaustion can really grind you down.

I am optimistic for our Christmas though!

@FarmerLlama No, older immature boy and younger advanced girl. Her communication is excellent, and not far behind him 🤣 My expectations are low lol, but they make forts, build armies of stuffies, obstacles courses, cars, sword fights etc. He teachers her things to play with him and she loves it and him very much. Of course they bicker and tell tales, but them playing together means it's not a constant 'mummy mummy mummy'. They're both really into dressing up at the moment now too, and having dance parties.

Nothing - It was a remark I made to high light we all go through similar with young children and that we all sacrifice our own wants and needs for years until they are older. However - judging by your reply to ke, and others, it feels that you have absolutely no issue in making others feel as crappy as you do, should you be having a bad day.

Take from that what you will.

Merry Christmas.

I have two children like that @Bippityboppitybooo . DD is fine in the house; DS not so much. Individually they are actually lovely children; together they are very hard work. It’s a phase, it will pass.

As your first comment was:

'I think it's absolutely awful that you dread spending time with your own children to be honest.'

you were certainly not one of the people being kind enough to offer help and advice. In fact, your latest judgemental, sanctimonious and unkind comment makes it crystal clear what sort of person you are.

your DH is the problem, he sounds like an absolute waste of space.

if you're going to be a single parent anyway it would be better to separate and then you can dump them on him regularly to get your peace and quiet.

Well that's one day sorted. Buy edible glitter, buy some cookie dough for them to shape, sprinkle edible glitter, now they have to poo in the loo to see if it makes the water glittery!

Not everyone but a lot of posters feel offended if the OP isn't grateful enough for their advice or if she doesn't take it gratefully on board.

Then you get the sort of parents who say they can keep a child entertained for a whole day with the middles of three toilet rolls and one felt tip pen.

The truth is that some children are much easier to entertain and keep happy than others. It doesn't actually mean that they are better parents.

Maybe not anxious, but definitely negative. That's just a typical Welsh winter. Which lasts about nine months.

I don’t exactly think they are difficult but DS is rubbish in the house, even as a baby we used to say ‘he’s better out of the house.’ DD is pretty easy and just potters about playing with her horses and dancing to the Tonie box. DS on the other hand … by Christ I love him, I adore him, but he cannot be in the house, he opens drawers, rifles through them and gets the contents out, empties toys he’s no intention of playing with on the floor, constantly knocks cushions off the sofa which don’t get me wrong it’s no big deal in and of itself but it adds to the general ‘unkempt’ feeling of the place. Tried to do some baking with him a few weeks ago and he crumbled half of one digestive biscuit, ate the other half then went outside.

He needs to start school. And before anyone starts, yes I do obviously tell him off but it doesn’t actually stop him doing these annoying things!

Nice try, I am Welsh. I can assure you the Welsh playgrounds are as deserted as the English ones, which I can say with confidence as I am right on the England / wales border!

Don't be so judgy and complacent. I had two really easy children and I thought being a mum was so easy. Then I had a third and I felt like the worst mum in the world.

Maybe you've got a supportive husband unlike OP. This thread isn't supposed to be an opportunity for posters to boast about what great mums they are and how easy it is.

There are many fictitious children on here; don’t worry about it!

Lol sound like mine were, I did all that with mine but it always involved me being in the middle to keep the peace/provide the context to the play.

I resonate entirely. Mine were 3 and 1 when lockdown started and I almost cried when nursery closed. I know exactly how you are feeling. They will get older, it’ll get easier/more bearable in time. Meanwhile, just take it day by day.

Well, seeing as OP didn't describe it as 'hell on earth' and you were the one to use that term, why on earth are you berating her and telling her to get a flipping grip. You are also disgusting for using Gaza to criticise the OP.

Then just go out! You say your little boy is happier outside - other kids (as shown by this thread) are happy inside baking. An empty park is ideal, no random teenager to clock a toddler in the head on the swings.

We’ve missed the gale force winds and flooding haven’t we?

In all seriousness yes of course I will take them out.

It is still tiring. Very tiring. I’m not starting the thread asking ‘what can I do with my kids?’ I know what to do with my kids; I do it every week and I’m wanting a BREAK from it!

I genuinely don’t know how you got through that and that is sincere

Didn't think I needed to explain that shouldn't let your kids play in the road, with or without flooded verges. As for the wind, don't stand under a tree. Sorted.

You sound happiest being a martyr who isn't actually doing any of the simple cheap options to entertain her kids and then wondering why it feels like hard work and expensive. If you spent less time being stroppy you might have more fun.

I don't think the children are fictitious on this thread, just people don't really resonate with what the issue is as it seems an everyday scenario, but you are obviously feeling very negative about things and people are only offering ideas on how to make the time pass.
Hope things perk up for you soon.

Exactly. Most people just get on with it.

As will I.

Yes doing childcare /parenting 24/7 x2w x 2dc is hard

Dh needs to man up and help you

Go out and grab a coffee and read a book for an hour in a coffee shop

He can look after them

All your plans sound lovely. I assume dh will be coming out with you all to help you

National trust is fab. Around £10 per month for family membership. They usually do some kind of kiddy adventure trail at Xmas and half terms etx

Yes, we ar members, thank you.