To feel guilty that we haven’t done much

[Kaytb]

so with the kids being off this week I would have liked to have had a lot of things planned but unfortunately I have had a chest infection so just getting by to be honest, I am much better now I have started antibiotics but I feel guilty, my daughters friend came for a sleepover last night and we went for a walk this morning, I took my son for a new football Kit yesterday, that’s pretty much it

My DS has spent a few hours in town with friends. Otherwise we’ve not left the house! Weather is shit and money is tight what with Christmas coming up. You can’t do everything every time they have school holidays. 🤷‍♀️

Please don't feel guilty- you have been ill (chest infections are grim!). You've done what you can and there is absolutely nothing wrong with a week chilling at home.

We haven't done a lot either - my son is Y7 so he has been out in the village playing with friends most days. Otherwise we have chilled at home.

He is going to my parents tonight for a sleepover and Halloween party with his cousins.

I haven't been ill but I am a teacher and last half term was brutal. I actually think all of the kids were totally exhausted after 8 weeks so it's probably been good for your kids to relax before the Christmas term.

Enjoy relaxing and I hope you feel better.

I'm a teacher and we have done pretty much the same. I don't feel guilty at all. After an 8 week half term me and my sons needed time at home to rest and prepare for a busy run up to Christmas.

This half term has been a bit of a wash out. The weather has been awful, even when it's not actually raining everything is soaked and unpleasant. I think the long school term has wiped out a lot of kids energy too. I'm torn between wishing I'd planned more and relieved that we didn't.

I wouldn't feel guilty at all, I'm off this week with the kids and the most exciting thing we've done outside the house is gone to a hospital appointment!

Money is also tight for us so we are having "chill days" at home, we've baked, played board games, done jigsaws and played mario kart. Sometimes it's nice just to spend time at home relaxing.

Hope you feel better soon!

I’ve taken 2 days off to spend with ds (13). Yesterday we went to the coast to see his sister at uni with dh, lovely day despite the weather.
Today we went out for breakfast and come home, going to the gym for a swim in a bit but only because I can’t sit still and can’t ‘waste’ a precious day of leave doing essentially nothing even though I am worthy of a rest too!
Other than that ds has spent a day with his other sister gaming and going out for lunch and one day he went and got a haircut.
Tomorrow I’ll be wfh, he asked if he could have a friend round. It’s meant to be raining all day so I expect they will be gaming rather than going to the park playing football which is what they’d rather be doing!

The autumn term is long so kids really need half term to rest, not have it packed full of other activities. It’s fine.

Stop looking at social media and comparing yourself to others. You can stay home for the whole week and do nothing special, it doesn't matter!

You have been ill so give yourself a break. If you feel upto getting out abit now, just a walk and hot chocolate followed by a movie is enough for kids. If you’ve been ill now, hopefully thats it for the year! Dont beat yourself up over one week.

Not referring to your situation, but I do take issue with people saying ‘theres nothing to do, the weathers rubbish’. We have done loads and been out nearly every day (some days beautiful sunshine, some days rain), but not spent a fortune on any of it. I dont want to raise kids that wont step out the house in anything other than perfect sunshine (as thats not the majority of the year in England). Kids need to be out in all weather.

Walks are free, there’s free or cheap halloween trails everywhere, there’s discount vouchers for everything from days out to cinema trips (Amazon prime for Odeon/save up clubcard points for days out). Also, obviously lots of free things at home and chill out days - movie nights, board games, baking, gaming (ofcourse, life is about balance). Trick or treating is also free and kids have the best time.

I actually wish October half-term was longer as there is so much to do! Would happily see a week of the Summer go for a longer October break (everyone has usually had enough by that 6th week).

my 2 have had a couple of days with their dad as we are separated. other than that we've done nothing. older teen dd gone out with friends today and my younger teen is currently home pumpkin carving. can you nip to your local supermarket op and get pumpkins for carving at home? Its a great activity that keeps them occupied for a while and in my teens case off a screen too.

weve been out for a big walk this morning as I finally had a bit of energy.

A walk with a chest infection is a massive thing, so good on you! They make you feel so rubbish 😩

Barely done anything this week I was working all weekend so the younger two kids went to their dad's until yesterday. My 16 year old stayed home with me. I've been at work the last three days so haven't been able to do anything fun with them anyway

We get this type of post every school holiday.

Don’t worry. These things happen. Nothing wrong with just chilling at home, and to be honest, it’s good for kids to learn to entertain themselves, rather than having stuff laid on for them.

Going off subject but the Dr gave me Doxycycline rather than amoxicillin, I have never had them before?

They like the time
rocrest and do what they want.
not your failt youre ill

And in doing this, you still live a normal , everyday, enjoyable life.
I keep wondering when and where worshipping the social life started in the UK

We haven't done much either. I have felt rubbish and kids are at an age where the things they want to do cost money.
They have actually been delighted that I haven't been traipsing them around each day and have loved a week of screen time at home. (To add we have done other things but they have had a lot more screen time than usual which is a massive bonus for them, especially my son who always feels hard done by by the amount he usually gets!).

I'm going through the guilt too.
I've have a few medical issues and struggling to have energy. My youngest has had to entertain themselves and help me.

The highlight has been watching Sonic the Hedgehog 3 whilst doing lego.

My two have hit the lethargic teen screen years. They've outgrown parks, playgrounds etc (and did them to death in 2020/21 when there was little else to do for 15m).

I felt a bit guilty about it in the summer then had a think about what I did didn't do in the holidays at their age. I didn't have any sports like they do. I did read more, but being dyslexic they don't find reading a relaxing passtime. I snuck on to DB's computer/ SNES when he was out. I didn't live conveniently to my friends so didn't hang out casually. DS2 has the benefit of chatting to friends online so is being more sociable than I was. My VHS collection was a bit limited so watched the same few videos a lot. TBH the essence of how I spent my time wasn't wildly different to them.

It's good to have some movement and a change of scenery, but it really doesn't have to be a tick list of insta-worthy events. Downtime and rest are important too, especially if there's been illness.

I don’t see the problem. You were ill and needed to rest. Have your kids not got imaginations? Are they totally reliant on you for their enjoyment? Does ‘doing stuff’ have to involve big trips somewhere? It’s not a competition it’s a life. People get sick. You are setting yourself up for kids that will not think for themselves!

As a child of the 1970’s I had loads of fun. I don’t ever remember my mum taking me places at half term and rarely in holidays.

parents over complicate. It’s why children have no imaginations, parents are exhausted and guilt ridden and and no money

PJ week are a thing here too 😂😂

No guilt! Not spending money is good, time with family is good, rest is good…especially when you are sick!

Please don’t worry! I’m a primary teacher and I think the best thing is to have a slow recharge! Kids do so many clubs and sometimes all they need is time, family time just time to relax. Get better soon too’

Don't worry.
From the title of your post I initially thought it was a statement from the Government! 😳