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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To say I’m not looking forward to the two weeks off over Christmas because …

33 replies

colddarkdarkcold · 16/12/2025 13:16

It means I have to parent my two children together and I don’t enjoy that at all. (Fine apart.)

School breaks up Friday. Dreading it.

You?

OP posts:
HangryBrickShark · 16/12/2025 13:22

I'm not paid as freelance so have to use my savings. We have two weeks shutdown.

yellowbe · 16/12/2025 13:23

I only have one and feel the same! I do love them and love time with them but I just hate getting out of the usual routine.

ChristmasinBrighton · 16/12/2025 13:29

I’m not being a goady cow, but what do you find difficult about it? Then posters are more likely to be able to suggest solutions rather than just sympathising 😄

Do they argue? Can you divide and rule? Send one to a friend/relative for an afternoon?

Hard to please? Get them to suggest five activities each and do any that are the same. Different ones can be done when you are 1:1.

How old are they? Any SEN?

I hope posters come up with some good strategies for you. I am old so mine might be a bit shit!

TwoLeggedGrooveMachine · 16/12/2025 13:30

I’d love to have two weeks off even with my children. Is your work closed down for two weeks so no option to work? Can you find a play scheme or childminder for a few days?

Jaffapedigree · 16/12/2025 13:31

I've got no kids, but only two days off over the holidays. I'd love two weeks off!

Crunchymum · 16/12/2025 13:34

I have 3 and I am kind of relieved to be working (albeit WFH which I don't usually do with the kids actually at home but DP is off so he has plans to get them out and about and they'll spend a few days at grandparents)

I find the cold, wet, dark school holidays very difficult but love the summer break. In fact I usually take at least 3 weeks leave then.

Original poster
colddarkdarkcold · 16/12/2025 13:59

It’s a thread for people not looking forward to the holidays, @ChristmasinBrighton . the answer is probably just that I’m a shit mum; doesn’t matter, I’m still not looking forward to Christmas. I’m a teacher. It’s not a perk of the job.

OP posts:
ChristmasinBrighton · 16/12/2025 14:02

I bet you aren’t a shit mum!

I hope things go better than you fear. 😍

Original poster
colddarkdarkcold · 16/12/2025 14:14

Sorry, sounded rattier than intended. They are nice kids, but not together 😆

OP posts:
PoppyFleur · 16/12/2025 14:42

Sympathise OP, I’m now at the taxi driver and ATM stage of parenting a teenager but I remember the early stages. My DC was an early riser, our day generally started at 5.30am, nothing worked at shifting this start time so I (cried and then begrudgingly accepted it) embraced it. We were out of the house and the first in our local National Trust car park as soon as it opened - whatever the weather!

I think I must have viewed my DC akin to a dog because long walks, games of chase, finding sticks/pine cones/conkers became the norm. Rewarded by hot chocolate (DC), strong coffee (me & DH) and cake. They were long, long days at times. Thankfully DC would be so tired that after lunch would want a Pixar film and I would nap. I may have my rose tinted specs on but now DC is a teen I do miss those days (sort of..).

5128gap · 16/12/2025 14:44

I used to feel exactly the same OP. Its not time off, it's trading one lot of work for another, and often the first type is less stressful and easier than the second.

NerrSnerr · 16/12/2025 14:48

Are you with their dad and does he have time off? If so I’d try and divide and conquer as much as possible. My children are probably a bit older than yours (11 and 8) and mostly get on, but it’s still easier if they so separate activities aligned to their own interests. We try and do that a fair bit and it’s nice for them to get 1-1 time with parents.

Alisonica · 16/12/2025 15:00

Yeah I'm not looking forward to it either. I'm also a teacher and I think it relates in that I'm not a big fan of purposeless time, as obviously when you teach you have a clear purpose in mind. I don't like just drifting around all day in the fog of childcare. Mine is too little to really educate in any meaningful sense. So yeah it can feel a bit bleak.

I just try to break it up with walks and snack time and all of it, but to be honest.... Yeah, the days are long. And the weeks are very long. I don't see holidays as a rest. I would rather be at work, as I enjoy my job! Still. Hey ho. Have to try to enjoy what I can of it.

SilkCottonTree · 16/12/2025 15:22

I thought you were being completely unreasonable until I read you were a teacher - it's not much of a holiday for you as you are swapping one set of kids for another! I hope you manage to get some downtime or at least some calm one-on-one time with each child separately!

whatthebell · 16/12/2025 15:30

I feel the same @colddarkdarkcold I also work in a school so being at home is more of the same! My 2 both have SEND and do not get on at all. They could and will fight about literally anything. It’s so draining and their dad barely sees them so it feels never ending. I’m booking a few holiday club sessions, it will be expensive but I just can’t do another Christmas holiday with no break for myself.

Surroundedbyfools · 16/12/2025 15:49

same !! We r skint and look to be very skint between Xmas and new year. My 2 kids fight constantly and I will be needing to entertain them myself most days myself while doing all the chores and dealing with DH who is a misery when money is tight. Not to worry tho il get to go to my in laws and get a load of hassle over my need to keep kids in a routine

MrsDutchie88 · 16/12/2025 17:33

Honestly OP, why have kids - only to whine and rant endlessly

whistlesandbells · 16/12/2025 17:36

5128gap · 16/12/2025 14:44

I used to feel exactly the same OP. Its not time off, it's trading one lot of work for another, and often the first type is less stressful and easier than the second.

Applauding this matter of fact, no judgement honesty.

Sux2buthen · 16/12/2025 17:36

MrsDutchie88 · 16/12/2025 17:33

Honestly OP, why have kids - only to whine and rant endlessly

Because it’s bloody hard work and people need to vent sometimes. Better than venting to the kids isn’t it.
Christmas season is baileys season op, I find that helps!

38thparallel · 16/12/2025 17:37

Op, is it because they fight so much?
I used to find that absolutely exhausting.

ItsFridayIminLoveJS · 16/12/2025 17:37

Is it just me that is total opposite.. l cherished every school holiday with both mine.. then looked forward to the Grandkids school holidays .. so l could spend more time with them. They are not little for long. Don't regret it... plan ahead .. activities.. days out.
No Internet when mine were little.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 16/12/2025 17:38

The last time I had 2 weeks off at Christmas was 1996 - my final year in university.

For that reason alone you ABVU.

Sillysop92 · 16/12/2025 17:39

I’m looking forward to the break from other people’s kids! If mine get on my nerves there is gin!

HuskyNew · 16/12/2025 17:42

It’s really sad you feel that way. Im sure they don’t! Can you find some joy in seeing them enjoy themselves?

I can’t really identify as I’m literally counting down the hours to finishing work on Friday for 2 glorious weeks

MrsDoubtingMyself · 16/12/2025 17:43

ItsFridayIminLoveJS · 16/12/2025 17:37

Is it just me that is total opposite.. l cherished every school holiday with both mine.. then looked forward to the Grandkids school holidays .. so l could spend more time with them. They are not little for long. Don't regret it... plan ahead .. activities.. days out.
No Internet when mine were little.

Dunkirk spirit what what Biscuit🙄🤣