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!

No idea what home educators do cos frankly I would rather take my own eyeballs out than try to teach my children.
During covid my children were very young, easier to entertain.
Now they are approaching teenage years, suddenly chalk in the garden isn't as appealing
Also my children wake up at 5am, its such a long day, they are usually knackered and ready for bed by 7 but that cycle repeats itself

I'm sorry you're not having a good time op and I hope it improves. For me it's whizzing by and I'm starting to feel.a bit sad as I know how rushed and manic things get when dd goes back to school. I never feel like I get enough time with her then.

Mine was still napping twice a day in COVID. Bliss!

I’m with you on the school run. Hate it! I’m not looking forward to all the after school activities starting up again either.

I’m sorry you don’t have nicer teachers though.

It is interesting how the narrative has developed over school holidays. Is it the growth of “scummy mummies” and the like? I don’t remember this years ago. But expectations were so different when I was growing up, we didn’t do much and we loved it. It was chill, we entertained ourselves. Also see the OP’s DH WFH, that must make it extra challenging.

We just have tomorrow left. I'll be instantly richer. Dd3s friend has been here overnight at least half the holidays.

I actually really like the holidays, but by feck has it been a noisy one this year.

Oh lordy I miss the two naps a day stage!!

I was bored when on summer holidays in the 90s. By the third week I was desperate for school again. People romantise the past too much.

Or, we just had different experiences? Nothing wrong with a bit of boredom, I was also ready to go back to school when it started back up, that’s what makes the summer holidays good!

I just came to see if you have been told off by sanctimonious posters urging you to enjoy your children...and yes, you have.😀
My kids are adults and I do NOT miss the summer holidays.

Me neither. I would rather have had no children than home educate.

For me, it’s not the kids that are the issue. It’s the fact that I still have to work for most of it 🙁 juggling work when all I want to do is hang with my girls (preteens) is crap.

I have several friends and family members who are teachers and the tone-deaf complaining from them about having to parent their own kids in the holidays is driving me mental 😬 let me tell you it’s a lot harder to have to juggle work alongside childcare. All my holidays are taken up with childcare too.

Try being in NI! It's 8 weeks of summer holidays here

My advice is to keep expectations low the rest of the year and then they are more easily amused with simple things in the summer.

I had to cope in Covid. 2 in primary school, 1 baby, DH and I both working from home. It was fucking horrific and if there was no school I probably wouldn’t have had kids (although presumably there would be some form of childcare available, as people have to work).
None of that changes the fact that I find the school holidays tough.

I’m super sad and feel the holidays are nearly over already. That being said. I only have DS one day a week. He spends 1 day with daddy. 2 days with my parents. 1 day with DH mum. The same arrangement as term time. I’ve done more fun day trips on the day I’m off work with him as he doesn’t have his morning swimming lessons. I’ve loved that freedom.

So although DS routine hasn’t changed much, he has. He absolutely hates school. Cries all the way there etc. is so sad and grumpy the whole week. Only happy on weekends.

These holidays have felt amazing, I’ve only taken the odd additional day off with him but wow he’s been happy for the whole holidays solid. His behaviour is better although not perfect. I’m honestly dreading the return to school. Breaks my heart daily.

We are a 1 child household for most of the week but have DSD weekends and two days a week (weds and thurs). She is a delight.

I hope all hols are like this.

Yeah, slight difference there 😐

We’re back tomorrow and I cannot wait!! Counting down now - woohooo!

@blackcurrantsuponus I find a routine is invaluable for getting through the holidays if that's any help. I think the reason a lot of kids are a pain in the holidays is because they've gone from the very structured routine of school time to little/no structure and they don't know what to do with themselves/how to regulate/what to expect.

There was a poster at the beginning of the holidays taking about her super strict schedule and she got torn apart in the traditional Mumsnet way (absolutely whatever you do is wrong!), but I bet she's having a nicer, calmer summer than a lot of people!

Why are your stress levels huge if you don’t organise their day and take them out ?

So excited for all parents who have kids back this week🙌

And to those who have another few weeks - hang in there. It's not too long to go! You're doing great!👏

Not every day.
That level of organising I suspect would actually be stressful for them.

I have boys and I can tell you one thing in all my 19 years of parenting them all so far that they need constant exercise! They need outdoors.

You're really working my reporting finger this evening.