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!

Your meaning is quite clear op!

People have children for all sorts of reasons, biological need, societal expectations, babies are cute etc. it is still quite normal to find being with them 24/7 a challenge

14 and 12 is a touch different to 5 and 3 @ZestLemon

It's also a touch different when your budget extends to a private pool!

I don't think It's a case of your work being flexible, it seems like you have a significant disposable income.

Is your reading comprehension okay? My comment and perspective was literally the opposite of dramatic.

Quite!

You're referring to the wrong poster. I never said anything about having children, or the reasons for doing so.
Different poster.

you’re already whinging like it’s the end of the world and you’re held hostage in a life you haven’t chosen.

The fact you don’t see this as dramatic (in fact you see it as the “opposite of dramatic”) is…. Telling

Ok so in that post you’ve acknowledged both that your work is very flexible and that you have a very large budget to entertain them.
Im sure a lot of people would find the holidays easier with both of those elements.

You obviously have some money. Many families don't.

Failed to acknowledge that the children in question are 12 and 14!

Lots of the things Iv done is cheap... people just need to look for deals.

Farm was free, paddleboarding is free, walking is free
Cinema is £5 each and buy 1 get 1 free. Take snacks from home.
Baking is pennies
Ice creams are a few quid
roller-skating £6.50
BBQs are just an evening meal but add in friends and its much better
The private pool cost £50 for an hour, hardly luxury and a treat.
Bruno mars was a birthday present to one of my kids.
Trampolining isn't much at all.

I haven't done bowling yet but thats also half price before 11am.

Why does it matter my kids are 12 and 14? 😂
Iv had them since they were babies and had them every school holiday! I have never started cracking jokes in front of them about cant wait until they go back to school!

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.

your children are teenagers
and you think appropriate to bowl in with your awesome summer activities as examples for a 3 and 5 year old?

I have had 3 & 5 year olds....

Do kids that age not like bowling, cinema, paddleboarding, zoos & farms??

Paddle boarding
loads of meals out
Cinema
roller skating
music concerts
Paddle boarding

none suitable for a 3 year old
all great for a 12 and 14 year old

No you don’t!! FGS you were the one you started the thread about going to Disney with your 12 and 14 year old and not wanting to give your 18 yr old SD the equivalent in money

how odd to lie about your children’s ages!

Where on earth did you find free farms and paddle boarding? Feel free to share those deals, paddle boarding at the only place near us is £20 per person!

Who takes a 3 year old bowling?!

Ok. Some of those sound expensive to me, and all of that adds up.
If that's how you want to spend your money, that's fine, but not every parent can do that - that's the only point I was making.
Oh, and I'm sure you don't entertain them every day, and give them the chance to get bored and create their own activities.

Budget to buy her own boards and home big enough to store them I would wager.

Paddleboarding is suitable for a 3 year old.
So is the cinema, they have loads of kids films.
Kids can eat out . I see it all the time.

This thread isn't just about 3 year olds though. People have kids of all ages.

Yes, same here, and the farm visits (understandably) aren't free.

You have had a 3 and 5 year old
So have I
13 years ago
and I appreciate that I may look back on that time with rose tinted specs so not think to post condescendingly on a thread about all the fabulous stuff I have done with me teens this summer

FFS, I mean as In I have had a 3 and a 5 year old!! I know what having younger kids are like!! Bloody weirdo.