To not want things to go back to normal next week

Toowittoowoooo · 2024-12-30T22:13:53+00:00

We’ve been in a cosy bubble this Christmas, just me, dh and dc. We rarely get time off together and have had a particularly difficult six months. We’ve spent lovely days just playing games, walking the dog, days out, nights by the fire. I don’t want it to go back to *Normal next week. The school rush, back to work, all just only being together in the evenings. Feels like life passes you by and you only get your four weeks together each year. I have seen dh really relax in the last few days. I haven’t planned to take the tree down on New years day like I normally do either, just want it all to continue a bit longer. Does anyone else feel the same?

DanceMumTaxi · 30/12/2024 22:17

Me, I’m dreading going back to the madness of work, kids clubs, homework etc. Really not looking forward to it at all. It makes me feel really down.

friendconcern · 30/12/2024 22:18

I’m always like this at the end of the summer holidays, Christmas less so, but I totally get where you’re coming from

Sweetappley · 30/12/2024 22:21

Yes feel the same , What days out did you go on?

Original poster

Toowittoowoooo · 30/12/2024 22:23

Sweetappley · 30/12/2024 22:21

Yes feel the same , What days out did you go on?

Just pretty normal things-park, out for lunch, cinema, just doing as we please really

OP posts:

pinkstripeycat · 30/12/2024 22:26

Spare a thought for us mums with older kids. My Ds19 goes back to university next week. I am dreading it. He laughs at me because I hang on to him a lot. He’s my baby, all 6’6” of him.

When DC were little I cherished all the school holidays. I love them at home with me and always hated the back to school times. Still got DS17 at home for now.

RudolfIsMySpiritAnimal · 30/12/2024 22:26

I hear you. Dreading getting back to the grind.

DramaAlpaca · 30/12/2024 22:29

I'm actually looking forward to getting back to normal, to be honest.

It's been lovely and relaxed but I'm happier with my usual routine. My body clock is totally out of whack at the moment.

JustAnotherSod · 30/12/2024 22:48

There is no way to avoid returning to real life - what you maybe need to think about is whether there is any way you can all tweak that life so as to include snippets of what you value during holidays - it's not easy, but even a couple of hours of time to do nothing but be together, is worth trying to find.

WomensRightsRenegade · 30/12/2024 22:54

I can’t wait to get back to real life! The kids are keen to be back in their routines and being with their friends. We had a lovely week last week but this weird limbo period is really dragging now.

The thing is that these times where you’re in a ‘bubble’ are only special because they’re not all the time. Best to enjoy this time while it lasts and not waste any energy changing things you can’t really control

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 31/12/2024 01:03

Oh I'm the opposite, me and my autistic dd have fallen out of routine - can't wait to go back 😄

It's lovely that you're enjoying this time though - I completely get the argument for a 4 day work week as there's just not enough time to relax 🥺 x

Shityshitybangbang · 31/12/2024 01:06

Some of us don’t get the full two weeks off, so are back at work already. But I am looking forward to the school returning 😀

LeavesTrees · 31/12/2024 01:10

I always get the January blues. I hate routine, so I hate it when we are forced back into it, and January is such a bleak month.

OnePeppyDenimHelper · 31/12/2024 01:20

I do understand but already been back at work two days and ready to embrace new challenges and move into 25. I guess it's special because it's a finite time , too long and the novelty starts to wear off

coffeeandteav · 31/12/2024 11:21

Not looking forward to it at all.

The three day week needs to be the way forward. Modern life is hard. We need to get away from the all work no play obsession.

Who invented the two day rest, 5 day week? Sure its the minimum so we don't die.

MangshorJhol · 31/12/2024 11:24

Yes same. We went on walks, played board games, watched movies and read books. Slept in late. Cooked at home and ate every meal together. It’s been nice.

Proteinbananas · 31/12/2024 11:28

pinkstripeycat · 30/12/2024 22:26

Spare a thought for us mums with older kids. My Ds19 goes back to university next week. I am dreading it. He laughs at me because I hang on to him a lot. He’s my baby, all 6’6” of him.

When DC were little I cherished all the school holidays. I love them at home with me and always hated the back to school times. Still got DS17 at home for now.

Oh yes , I feel you here. I'm not looking forward to my daughter going back!

Op, get some more time booked off if you can. That's what I'm doing to stave off the dread. I actually don't mind my job and I'll be fine once we all get back into it but it's the thought of it that makes me miserable

AliceAbsolum · 31/12/2024 11:28

DH and I have Wednesdays Fridays and Sundays together, I work Thursdays he does childcare (DD 2), he works Saturdays I do childcare. It's literally the best decision we ever made. Can you go part time?

TheYearOfSmallThings · 31/12/2024 11:33

JustAnotherSod · 30/12/2024 22:48

There is no way to avoid returning to real life - what you maybe need to think about is whether there is any way you can all tweak that life so as to include snippets of what you value during holidays - it's not easy, but even a couple of hours of time to do nothing but be together, is worth trying to find.

This is good advice, as is this:

The thing is that these times where you’re in a ‘bubble’ are only special because they’re not all the time.

But yes, that first morning in January where the alarm goes off in the pitch dark at 6am and all the Christmas fun is over... it's always a killer.

neverbeenskiing · 31/12/2024 11:44

I have mixed feelings really. It's been lovely all being together, and we've managed to get a good balance of days out, seeing friends and family and lazy days relaxing at home. I'm not looking forward to having to get up early in the mornings. But my DC are both Autistic and they benefit from the structure and routine of school. I'm also lucky that I love my job, and I work TTO so can always console myself with the knowledge that I never have to go longer than 8 weeks without a break.

5128gap · 31/12/2024 11:50

Stay in the moment. It's not over yet, and it's a gradually process this year, with only two days before it's the weekend again. Have some plans for your winter weekends, introduce a games night once a week. Tbh the dread of return to normality is usually worse than the reality, as we adjust pretty quickly. Don't spoil your remaining time worrying about it. It will be fine when it comes.

coffeeandteav · 31/12/2024 12:03

5128gap · 31/12/2024 11:50

Stay in the moment. It's not over yet, and it's a gradually process this year, with only two days before it's the weekend again. Have some plans for your winter weekends, introduce a games night once a week. Tbh the dread of return to normality is usually worse than the reality, as we adjust pretty quickly. Don't spoil your remaining time worrying about it. It will be fine when it comes.

This is really good advice. The worry is worse than the actual thing.

littleteapot86 · 31/12/2024 13:17

AliceAbsolum · 31/12/2024 11:28

DH and I have Wednesdays Fridays and Sundays together, I work Thursdays he does childcare (DD 2), he works Saturdays I do childcare. It's literally the best decision we ever made. Can you go part time?

Can I ask how many hours you both work?

AliceAbsolum · 31/12/2024 13:18

DH 24, me around the same but self employed so it does vary.

Andtheworldwentwhite · 31/12/2024 13:20

I’m not. I thrive or order and routine. Been really thrown off by the Christmas week. Ready to be back to normal

TwinkleLights24 · 31/12/2024 13:22

I find it hard to get over the hump of going back to normality but after a day I move on.