Sad we all have to go back to real life

[Whodesignedlifelikethis]

Dh has been lucky this summer and had just over three weeks off (normally has two) I'm fortunate to be off over summer and obviously Dc off school.
Woken up to a quiet house, Dh already gone to work, Dc a bit quiet and just watching tv. We will all be back to work and school by the end of the week.
It hasn't all been perfect, but I've enjoyed the lazy mornings, us all having breakfast in the garden, making plans for the day to do what we like.
Life is so short to spend in the rushed, stressy way we sometimes live, only seeing each other for snatches of time.

I know i'm being totally unrealistic and it's life.
But it's rubbish and I wish we could all spend more time together

I was made redundant at the end of July and it's been wonderful having most of the summer with DD who is 9. I know it's unlikely I'll have such a chunk of time off again and I'm so grateful even when she is driving me up the wall.

She isn't back in school until next week and I don't know how I will feel (especially as I'll have to take looking for a new job seriously at that point 😂)

Not a feral brat like the youth of today and the parents aren’t any better

I've always worked in education and yes, September is New Year to me! I love the early autumn and the spring better than summer.

I was always sad at the end of the summer holidays, though, because I loved being with my children. Of course, being a teacher, I had the luxury of being with them for most of the holiday which I was extremely grateful for.

My daughter (mildly ND) had a rotten time at school so the holidays were a time we could be happy and not worry about bullying and other upsetting things, and do things together to build her self-esteem. I was more apprehensive than she was when I delivered her back to school each September.

I’m sure they hate people like you being part of the crowds too.

Currently lounging on a sun lounger in Sicily absolutely dreading going back home on Thursday. My husband is 60 in the autumn and I will be encouraging him to take early retirement so we can live abroad . Children all grown up, sell the house which is now holding us back financially and live a simpler less materialistic life. My gorgeous mum died in February and all those years seemed to have gone in a blink . Enjoy the most of life whilst your health allows.

I've had a nice summer but I really like September/back to school time.

Me too. I can get a seat on the train to work again. I work in a seaside resort and during the summer holidays it's crammed to the hilt and I spend every journey standing in the vestibule. I know. I'm a miserable old sod 😉

Work/life balance in the UK is really poor.

Somehow we have been led to accept that spending the majority of your life at work and commuting is just 'normal'.

While we have people at the top who hoard all the money is do really well from other people's labour and have charmed lives.

You would think that all technological advances would have made us freer and more able to spend life with loved ones, raising kids and just enjoying life, instead people are working longer than ever, retirement is a pipe dream and the cost of living has made many people poorer.

Anything that benefits employees and give them more time like hybrid and home working is also vilified as 'lazy'.

Just sad really.

I really feel you this year OP. We had a lovely summer, kids now both at school so feels like a nice age to really enjoy family life. Hate being back into the routine, constant clock watching. Quick get in the car we're late, hurry we need to get to x, y or z. Feel like I'm already on the count down to October holidays. (we're scotland)

Oh my gosh. I've never seen this before and so true.

What a mad world we live in!

It really is rubbish OP- am with you!
Our DC doesn’t attend school, we have teachers visit for 5 x hours per day & whilst it is the best method for them, for our household it’s very invasive 5 x days a week & limiting for our own stuff.
We don’t feel anywhere near ready or rested enough, this was a tough summer with heatwaves & other stuff, DC still burntout…
I really wish for a couple of weeks longer….

That’s reassuring. Thank you, I appreciate that.

So much. I wfh in a very relaxed job so I’m going to miss getting up when we feel like it and just chilling around. Dh had over 2 weeks off so that was nice being away and having adventures.

I will enjoy some peace having the house empty but it won’t make up for the relaxed days.

I know what you mean! We have come back from a 11 day road trip and feel so sad we’ll be back to work and school on Thursday!

Honestly, I’m counting down the hours till mine goes back tomorrow! We have a 5 year old going into year 1, plus a 1 year old in nursery 4 days a week (the days I work). We’ve had a nice summer and planned a good mix of childminder/time off work/holiday club to fill the days but I can feel my 5 year old is crying out for some routine and regularity back into his life, and I’m really looking forward to not having to think of activities to fill the day. He had is birthday over the summer too and I think he’s experiencing a bit of a come-down from it all, so school will be hopefully be a good dose of normality.

Life has felt so bitty over the last few weeks and even when he’s been in childcare we’ve had to factor in different drop offs and packed lunches etc.

And my day off is so much easier with just toddler DD rather than trying to find activities that suit both without them winding each other up or DD going feral with the craft drawer!

it’s interesting how many of the posts above lamenting the end of the holidays have older children.

Run my own business so been really flexible … DH hasn’t had much time off but I’ve had time off with the kids. It’s been amazing - especially for my ND younger child who hasn’t had the school anxiety. She starts Seniors tomorrow and I’m so worried.

I always like this time - maybe not when I worked in a school 😂
When I was at school I looked forward to going back, had enough of holidays after 6 weeks and I didn’t even like school!
Now no-one is at school or uni so life just goes on …

2 of mine are desperate to go back. This holiday has been 7 weeks and it's just too long. The DCs are sick of the house and eachother, we've exhausted every local attraction and I have absolutely no money left. 1 DC has SEN and is really struggling with the idea of going back, and I know I'm in for weeks of upset and anxiety every morning.

My DC all had exams this year (GCSE, A levels and 2nd year uni) and were all finished by mid June. I've been working but the summer is a very quiet time for me so hasn't felt like "real" work This summer has been going on forever! I'm sad that it's coming to an end but I also like autumn.

The summer holidays are always a good reset for us, my teens relax properly.

This academic year we have GCSEs, A levels, applying for uni, so lots of open days and stress coming up. Eldest DD is only just 17 so driving lessons, she now has a boyfriend who lives far away and is saving (hopefully!) from her casual job.

I work a second, casual, job in school holidays (TA normally). I'm mid 40s, so in the sweet spot of teens, older parents (& DH) and perimenopause ... It's the calm before the storm for all of us!

I find this interesting and wonder where the happy medium is.

what age children/ level of work/ outside commitments / level of support does it take to actually not feel stressed and overwhelmed?

mine are young (6 & 3) and my
only aim this summer was to spend quality time with them. Ultimately I didn’t take enough time off work, but the days I was at home with them just feel like all I do is shout. It’s mostly the constant tantrums of the 3 yo, the lack of family support. Lack of involvement from my husband.

im gutted. On paper they’ve had a nice summer but all I feel is guilt

It’s been nice - DH had 2 full weeks off which is miraculous for him, and the teen DC have got on pretty well - but I think we’re all ready to be back to normal now- the endless scrolling has started to creep in. DC got nearly 11 weeks holiday. They both have pre-season this week ( before term starts) and are looking forward to seeing friends- dd is packed with stuff by the door and doesn’t go till tomorrow

ps to those in despair with warring kids, I honestly thought mine would never get better and then suddenly- years 10 and 9, they started getting on. Still have their moments but it’s a 90% improvement. It can happen.

What do you mean?

That’s a rather sweeping statement and nothing like my own experience of having teens and their friends. All polite and lovely.

Yes you're probably right. It would be lovely for say, 3 months and then a month at Christmas maybe

Same OP. Its our last day of a glorious summer before back to work and school. My 3 are finally old enough that we've had so much fun, relaxed, properly enjoyed our days out. My baby is off to school, my big one is in year 6 - very conscious that we won't have many summers more like this and wish it could last a bit longer.