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 home educating is right for you then I think that’s amazing. I can quite see the benefits.

But it isn’t right for us. I like teaching my children things but I am not trained in teaching children to read, and that’s the main thing. I also work myself albeit part time and I have friendships, work, interests outside of the children. All these things are important and wanting to spend some time on them isn’t wrong.

I'm in ireland and the kids have had 11 weeks off already. Summer feels very over.

Does DH have to WFH or is there an option to go to the office? Because if one of the issues is that you have to be out to avoid disturbing him, he needs to alter his working location for some of the holidays if possible even if that’s an inconvenience for him. Because otherwise you’re being inconvenienced for the whole holiday.

If in office isn’t being provided as an option by his employer then he’ll have to suck up some noise and if the employer complains point out that it’s their choice to save money on office rent and this is the consequence.

You are incredibly lucky, i'll admit I'm jealous. I'm semi rural and have one option locally in the next town where it's 9-3 and you can only pay extra wraparound from 8.30-4 they are also not yet registered with OFSTED so will only take 5 year olds (year 1 and up) so I've been screwed with my reception aged child this past year. They also don't run the last two weeks of the holiday due to demand.

Same where I am. Our small town has one summer club, and it’s 9-3.

Same here. There are loads of different sports you can do and can pay for an extra hour til 4, but it's not hugely helpful to the average office worker unless you WFH and can take a late lunch.
Mine has been with grandparents most of the summer but I deliberately took a job only working mornings because we can't rely on them permanently.

Lord same ! Social media has turned into a competition to see who can go out as many days as possible it’s insufferable 😩 I’ve been to the same shitty places for over 24 years ! Wish it was like it was when I was younger , played out all day everyday with odd beach trip thrown in , can
never ever remembering moaning I was bored.

Is it just teachers that aren't allowed to moan about having to parent their own children during holidays? What about sahm etc?

I don’t know any SAHMs 🤷‍♀️ but I’m sure I’d find that annoying too. As it goes, I know a lot of (moaning) teachers.

Only half way through? We’re already 8 weeks into a 9.5 week break! Since August it’s felt like they’re basically over.

Children are capable of amusing themselves, and will come to no harm with being bored at times.

Parents really don't need to fill all day and every day with activities.

Or due to beliefs from the parent who thinks school is a bad thing.

Has anyone even mentioned social media?

I actually find social media is good for suggestions of days out, not even necessarily expensive ones.

@CallUpMyMamaSaidImInLoveWithTheStripperYo I was out with my non teaching friend yesterday. She was overjoyed to be going to work tomorrow!

English summer holidays just sound like a mid term break! 😂 all that moaning for about 5 full weeks.

<whispers> six, it is six.

But in a way it isn’t really important. I can’t control the length of the summer holidays; I’m not in government and I don’t have that sort of clout. So it is all relative, isn’t it? Just as I don’t doubt I can’t really understand just how cold some places get because I am used to a more moderate climate doesn’t mean I’m going to go outside in December in t shirt and shorts. Perhaps that isn’t the best example but it is the one springing to mind most.

I feel sorry for some kids. Some near me and my friend- who I used their gazebo garden to cool down (I live in a flat) have just rode their bikes up and down the road. Even at 37c and probably today as it’s raining. They look bored by the first Tuesday of the holidays. They broke up 10th July here.

Go back between next Monday- Wednesday, depending on the school and which year they are in.

The school holidays in Leicestershire as a kid were about 1 weeks longer than now. As the only week long half term was October. The other two 2-3 days

Kids need to learn to entertain themselves. Send them out to play

Seven actually.

Why did you people have kids? 😂

Not typically at all.

Okay usually six but this year is seven. OP and the rest can moan regardless of other countries having longer off.

It’s not 7 weeks for the OP either.

My NDN works as a TA so she’s in a position to take her DC out pretty much daily during the holidays whereas I WFH over summer so can’t. We’ve had one big day out a week to the coast/a bigger city and last week went down to London for a few days (a big trip since we’re in the grim north). We go out at least one day at the weekend too and generally have a short library trip during the week. The rest of the time we’re in the house with me working and them either in the garden, playing or on screens.

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.

Also - we've been through this already. Camps/programs for summer are a massive industry in some other countries, not an afterthought provided by the council like in my town.