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!

If your husband works from home that is your problem right there.

Could he spend more time in the office/use a co-working space some days so you can actually attempt to chill?

You need to get a grip, realise you don't need to be spending all the time and take pleasure in your childrens company.

wrong thread.

No intention, not sure why I can't express an opinion that in hindsight my children were more manageable and that includes being out the house than they are now age 10-11.

I have explained several times why I have found this to be the case (children more manageable to do things without the preteen attitude, children happy to do things that are free like parks and feeding the ducks, greater availability of activities for younger children and at lower prices than activities aimed at older kids).
It was much easier to bundle my kids in the car or take them out for the day to a park within walking distance when younger and to stay out the whole day.
I personally think 9-12 is probably the difficult age group as they are too old to want to do a lot of things but not quite old enough to go off completely independently.
Sorry if that is hard for those stuck in the toddler years to understand at the moment.
I am pretty sure I did agree those days seem long at the time, but trying to prise preteens off screens and find something they will do for free is trickier I am finding (yes I could be like the other poster and no doubt go off paddle boarding, but as also explained I am a TA so low wage and as also already explained the library and museum which we used to go to for free stuff is aimed at under 8s, and the summer club we were able to drop into a few years ago is only for those who are on benefits).

How old are your children? Why do you have to go out all the time? Just let the kids play at home, do crafts, watch a movie?
I've got two kids and we've only been on a handful of days out as they are happy at home. We have had friends over for a few play dates too.

I think this is why I like the holidays so much: I do work during the holidays - DH WFH so he can “take care” of them (they are 8 and 12) and we’ve had this arrangement since the littlest was about 6. I also have close family who adore my kids and basically argue over who’s babysitting and when, and then I also send little one to a theatre camp for a weeks super intensive so I get a whole week with just DS1, and then send oldest to an autistic specialist farm for a week so I get a whole week with just DS2. Plus a 10 day holiday means we get more “us” time.
I am aware I am stupidly lucky though!!

I don’t mind in the slightest people saying 9-11 is the hardest age. If it is for them then fair enough; I’m not there yet so I can’t say it is or isn’t.

What I can say is my very being aches with exhaustion and I can’t bloody wait for September 😂

Yes. We have a 3 story house, so the children know they aren’t allowed past the second floor. Unless something is on fire or someone is bleeding.
It also helps that DH has “flexi hours” that he takes advantage of during the holidays - so he starts work at 7:30, and doesn’t take a lunchbreak so he is done by 4:30.

So you did this from when the little one was 6?
So they just stayed in the house and occupied themselves?

This 100% where we used to live in taught the kids how to play kirby and wall ball!!

Yes. That’s what I used to do in summer, I’d read, do homework, create a scrapbook. My kids make movies, create costumes and scenery from cardboard, they play video games and if their cousin is online they can play with him for hours on minecraft.

Well I thought that was fairly obvious 🙄

@ASub maybe depends on your kids and your budget.

All I was doing was sympathising with @blackcurrantsuponus about the holidays being hard.

Not really what I was asking. This is about a man who is working.
Me and my siblings also were independent and creative and resourceful. My children, too.
However, these children are literally unsupervised from early on until 4.30pm.

They are not unsupervised. My husband is in the house with them. They are also not stupid and know how to occupy themselves. If there’s a major issue, my husband is there.

I wouldnt really want a 6 year old spending hours playing a game online TBH.

I have one back on the 7th, one back on the 2nd (and one baby.)

I am done in. Emotionally, physically, financially 🥲 luckily I’m on mat leave this year so haven’t had any childcare issues but the constant ‘what are we doing today’ has been draining. We’ve had a week away, one big day out (theme park) otherwise we’ve had one or two days out (farm, park and picnic etc) and the rest at home and playing in the garden.

I love my children but I can’t hear my name one more time. I CANNOT.

Ok. I thought he was busy working.

I hear you; I hear you.

Mine are getting tired and getting increasingly out of routine. Even my three year old (who is generally very easy) was getting a bit fretful and difficult today.

I don't know what your dig is exactly and what your problem is.

As I have said several times now I am sympathising with the OP and that I agree the holidays are long and dragging on. All I said was in hindsight it was easier when mine were younger as I personally found more activities, more free events and just general willingness of children to engage in mundane activities like the park and a walk rather than what they will do now. It wasn't a competition, just a statement of fact.

I am not sure why you have therefore made a remark about not judging people for struggling when that is exactly what you seem to be doing to me 🤷 (saying that my kids are in an age group that is whimsical to you)

Not long to go. At least it's a bit cooler now, maybe they can stay out for longer.

So we both think the same then..not really sure what your problem was then 🤷