Anyone else had a really boring half term?

[gollygoshh]

Worked a few days. Weather has been rubbish the rest. Tried to keep kids busy but really struggling with ideas and motivation. Big age gap between kids and eldest is happy doing his own thing, lots of gaming and reading. Been to the gym a few times. But otherwise I’ve just felt a bit shit that we haven’t done a lot :-(

We haven't done much either. As I've just been working. Its def harder at this time of year with the rubbish weather. Mine are 16 and 11 and are happy to just have the time off school and be lazy. They have both seen their friends a couple of times and youngest is going swimming today. I dont think its a big deal at this time of year though. Hopefully once weather picks up in spring, they can be outdoors more.

We do have a big trip coming up real soon though. So we do have something planned, just not for half term.

I honestly think this is most people's half terms. I think social media tricks us into thinking everyone is off doing exciting things and it's just not true! Or, if people are out and about, they aren't showing the tantrums due to walking in the rain etc!

Feb half term is hard because it’s always rubbish weather so you can’t do any cheap/free days out! I’ve been at work so my boys have had a lazy week. I think they’ve enjoyed having a rest.

DD1 brought a nasty cold back from school so we've all been ill at various points so we've done nothing at all! I think we all needed the down time tbh.

We spent the whole week at home and everyone is rested and happy. Nothing wrong with not “doing things”.
Gaming, reading and watching tv are all reasonable ways of being together as a family ( or at least they used to be, these days everyone wants to be out constantly)

I was working all week. My teen DC seem to have had a nice week though (in between studying for their exams).

Yes really boring. Combination of poor weather and lack of inspiration and funds to do much. Even DS11 (now at secondary school) said he was getting a bit bored even if his video games and asked to go to holiday club with his sister today 😮.

Yep, weather's been pants and we're skint! Thankfully my kids are pretty happy indoors, there's been a lot of screen use but it won't kill them. Youngest has a club tonight and we're out for a bit tomorrow

I probablu could have taken the youngest out on the dog walks with me but when it's pissing it down I just want to get it done and get back home without the whinging that his feet are wet (because he's walked into Puddles that he knows and is warned every time are deeper than his wellies are tall). Eldest wouldn't entertain the idea

Yes. Don't sweat it. My kids have enjoyed playing at home with the odd trip to swimming pool or shops to spend birthday money. Some films on TV and hot chocolates, bit of gaming.
We tried a short bike ride but they got really cold despite dressing in lots of layers, so just went home.

I'm not spending money and annual leave on a few days at the coast etc when the weather is like this - my kids do like the down time of being at home with their toys and books.

I always think of Feb half term as the chill out and vegetate holiday. The weather is awful and we are all tired from the winter and all the illnesses that go around.

We have been to the cinema and swimming but otherwise we have chilled at home.

Yes and it's been lovely. We're always so busy and rushing around during term time, we all love the chance to chill at home together doing next to nothing.

We've been to the national space centre and been bowling. That's more than enough for us!

Ah glad it’s not just me. I think if we were all at home doing wholesome things together like baking or having movie afternoons I wouldn’t mind but the reality is we sort of split off into different rooms and just don’t see each other much. Ds isn’t too bad as he can take himself off to meet friends, go to the gym and he’s had his usual sports sessions. Younger dc have been trickier due to the poor weather and lack of inspiration on my part! We’ve been swimming and had a nice dog walk by the beach on the one sunny day we’ve had.
I think social media definitely plays a part in thinking you’re not doing enough. I do it to myself every single school holiday.

I think it's good to have time like this!

At school / nursery it's so structured and managed that I think they need unstructured time to learn how to manage their own time. It's such an important skill. Plus being bored drives creativity and inspiration and independent play.

As a society, we're doing our children such a disservice by constantly arranging their time with days out and activities constantly.

Same Same. Kids had a few days at their grandparents. Grandparents have been here. Youngest had a playdate here. Eldest had a day with a friend chilling at hers yesterday.

The weather is really really crap and we don't get enough annual leave to cover the holidays.

I hate this half term! I purposely didn't take much leave as I'd rather take it in holiday when the weather is better.

We've done nothing. The kids went to grandparents early in the week for a few days and then yesterday (my first day off) DC2 woke up with a tummy ache and sickness. Was very short-lived but I'm feeling ropey today myself - exhausted and delicate tummy - so we've had another "cosy" house day.

To be honest I don't feel guilty as mine are all quite busy term time. Younger two are out the house 8am/8.30am - 6pm four days a week and they all have various hobbies and clubs.

All 3 DC have swimming tomorrow but I think the weekend will be more of the same in preparation for another manic 5 weeks.

We've probably had too much screen time but kids have had all the old toys out, they've had slime and playdough out and done a fossil dig set. We've crafted flowers from tissue paper and pipe cleaners, we've had drawing competitions, the younger two still love to colour in and paint. We've baked (really simple things so I've been able to leave older 2 kids to it) and we've also done a few of the bigger chores - sort out summer drawers / change all the bedding etc.

We're all a bit bored now but it's quite a nice, relaxed bored?