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!

I feel your pain. September 3rd can’t come fucking soon enough.

Not where I live. But it is a tourist spot. Loads of them in shops.
Taking up the whole aisle if there are two sets of parents plus children. Along with ‘ what would you like to have, you can have this or you can have that’ to about five children.Who look blankly at their parents and ask if they can have chips.

You do though! Before they are old enough to take themselves places you either sit in with kids going stir crazy, or take them out. Little kids need their time managed. Even the few that are really good at playing independently still need to be taken out sometimes!

Mine go back this week (Scotland). They’ve been off since the end of June though.

It will be a bit of a shock to all of our systems getting up and out on time, but I’m more than ready and I think the kids are actually ready too!

They have no idea if they’d love to be in that position or not, as they’ve never been in it. No one knows what it’s like until they’ve been there.

Roll on 2nd September.

I'm sure the neighbours are sick of hearing me yelling at the DC - they can't play nicely together, won't play separately. And I get to spend another £500 on holiday club so I can work. Woo. 🍷🍷🍷

Honestly, I really do. If I don’t, my stress levels are huge.

I do know what you mean; I have friends who will say ‘we’re just having a chilled weekend’ and I’m going ‘huh!’

To be fair, if I was American I’d probably be relieved that they had 3 months off school, as that would be 3 months that I wouldn’t have to worry about them getting shot in school.
That’s also why I’d never live in America though.

they can't play nicely together, won't play separately yy

i do wonder how many ‘ah just having a chilled day at home today’ type parents only have one child!

Ah, I go shopping early - before 9.

It's wonderful.

No queues of mums taxis blocking the roads. I can drive up and park near the entrance, do the shopping without hearing loss and be home while they're still in their PJs.

You lot are savage! Remind me not to piss off an irate MNetter!

I do one day inside, one day outside. It kind of breaks it up. Usually just to the park though.

Really? I’m the opposite, wish time would slow down!
But I have split custody so only spend half the holidays with my DSs. Wish I could have every day with them

Yeeees that does make a difference!

Do they not like playing in the garden with friends? Nobody has days out all the time in school holidays and, apart from going away somewhere, most kids seem to like being at home and doing their own thing.

I’m sure they would but generally it’s difficult. It’s a long day at home, they disturb working DH and argue.

Yeah, I imagine that makes a pretty big difference.

We haven't done any "big" days out. Done q a lot of free stuff, bolderwood, library, park, splashpark. They have had a couple of trips to the cinema, been swimming. We have an abroad holiday just before they go back to school which I'm looking forward to. I do find it a lot trying to juggle work and housework on top but it's going OK touchwood!

Oh what a kind and supportive post to a fellow parent who is struggling! You must be such a lovely person!

Mine are back on Wednesday (Scotland)
5am risers with no school makes for a very fucking long day.

You wouldn't think people had to cope in COVID
What would the moaners do if there was no school?
What do you think home educators do.

Sounds like some people can't cope with their kids .

I’m genuinely gutted it’s nearly over. Currently sat at the marina watching the boats food and drinks and free wifi 😅

I think this depends where you live. Quiet estate with barely any cars - yeah, you can send your 7 year old round to knock on their friend's door. I live in a large town centre with 9 primaries; the two other households on our road with children go to different schools and DS's friends are all a good 15 minutes walk away across roads. Their parents are all working so they're not even in. For the one parent who is not working I would have to arrange a proper all-day babysitting session which honestly feels a bit piss-taky so I don't!

He can't expect children to play quietly. That must be down side to working from home.
Is there a park nearby, do they go out on their bikes?

I am sorry this is a problem for you.

If there was no school I wouldn't have had children. Nor would I home educate by choice.