To be depressed we are only halfway through the summer holidays

[blackcurrantsuponus]

I know, I’m going to get a load of YABUs as I love this time with my precious children’ but there are still three weeks left, I’m skint and having to muster the enthusiasm for another day out because the alternative is worse!

It is for us. What is your point?

As pp have said, let them entertain themselves. It's proven by research that bored children devise their own games. They become creative and resilient. They are more capable of thinking for themselves. When I was a child, we had 2 weeks at the seaside, and 4 weeks entertaining ourselves. We played with friends, went to the park and played in the garden. If it rained, we read books, did colouring or jigsaws. Oh, and we also did plenty of household chores.
Stop fretting, @blackcurrantsuponus! Just let them be
It'll be fine.

@Sartre Does make me feel a bit guilty when I see she’s out again but then I remember I have a great career and she earns minimum wage.

This seems really unnecessarily snarky.

Are these summer camps free of charge?

Why did I join a gym if I wasn’t going to be in it every day. Why do I work if I’m not there every day? Whats the point of owning a house if I’m not always in it?

Anything constant, all the time, becomes tedious. I love my children very much but I do want the time with them to be interspersed with other things!

Maybe but it’s how I rationalise when I feel jealous / guilty I can’t take my DC out every single day. I’ve worked hard to get to my position and do love my job, it just has the downside obviously of not being term time. Then again, I could work term time and earn pittance like her. There’s always a trade off.

Honestly? It doesn't matter that you can't take your kids out every day. You really don't need to for their well-being.

I suppose when you both pass away she could at least say she saw more of her kids. Don't be so snobby about minimum wage jobs.

What other things would you like, and what's stopping you? Is it the budget?

I’m a bit confused sorry @MadeInGrimsby ? Not being awkward, I’m genuinely not sure - think we’ve crossed wires 😅 I was meaning I don’t want to do anything all the time, no matter how amazing it is - including spending time with my lovely children!

Sorry! Obviously my misunderstanding.
I hope the rest of the time goes quickly for you.

Some of them, yes. In the US the YMCA, Parks and Recreation departments and local churches offer subsided ones based on income. The educational ones can be offered on merit like scholarships.

I don't really get your point though - there are plenty of parents who can afford camps here and would take the option but they finish at 3pm as stated.

I had no "point". I had a question, which was if these provisions were free of charge.
Which you have answered, thanks 👍🏼

@Sartre My husband is a TA. They do invaluable work looking after kids including yours so don't be a snob.

But it’s not really “all the time” though, it’s a relatively small period in the whole year.
Surely a bit of perspective is needed? Your children have only been off school for 3 weeks and you’re already whinging like it’s the end of the world and you’re held hostage in a life you haven’t chosen.

A TA here! Think the remark about being on low wage etc was unnecessary. I did have a 'career' as a teacher. Wasn't worth the hassle. Rather have less money and time with my kids (even if I do moan about it!) than to be resentful of others who do that.

Absolutely. It's not his fault they're underpaid.

YANBU to feel this. The sheer amount of time off over the summer I think is insane. I even remember thinking it was too long when I was a child tbh! I agree it’s relentless trying to keep them entertained or think of things to do, and I have an older one who will largely sort herself out and the younger one will go off and play/make etc on her own so we don’t always go out and about etc. It’s very long and draining and expensive. Good days and bad days this end too. Sending strength!

How about you don't plan anything for today? They just entertain themselves?

How old, OP? My circumstances mean i'm loving having DD12 with me and i genuinely get really sad when she goes back, but i appreciate this is not the case for everyone and by no means think i'm some saint for feeling like this!

I sold shit loads on Vinted, to free up some cash for the hols, as i'm far from flush. Made a good few hundred and still at it.

The free and cheap stuff we do ranges from walks and picnics, park days, wild swimming (always make her and her friends wear a life jacket, no matterwhere we're paddling/swimming, so i can at least relax a bit), crafts and painting and drawing, baking, visiting relatives, going round the charity shops for a mooch, museums and galleries and free events.Watching a film or series.

I hope you get through the last few weeks unscathed!

At least she will grow up knowing her kids and actually spending time with them instead of putting herself first.

Are you this dramatic in RL @Marroon ?

I love the 6 weeks school holidays with the kids, I feel sorry for peoples kids who don't want them around or crack jokes about them going back to school.

I am lucky my work is very flexible. So far we have done trampolining, roller skating, cinema, trips to the beach, paddleboarding, zoo, farm, had BBQs with friends, gone out for ice cream, gone out for roasts and other meals, Hired a private pool, went to see Bruno mars in London for the night.
Plus evening walks watching the sun set.

We are going trampolining again today and baking later. What's not to love...