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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to dread next week - half term?

67 replies

claritita · 09/02/2009 15:56

Any ideas for a calm, bicker-free week for me and my 5 and 7-year-old? Rain and freezing weather conditions means we'll probably be inside all week and I think I might go bonkers! Short of hopping over to the Caribbean, what can we do to stay sane?

OP posts:
spokette · 09/02/2009 16:12

I'm planning to take my 4yo DTS for lots of walks to burn up their energy. As long as they are properly attired, rain and cold weather will not hurt them.

AnyFuckerForAShiteSoppyCard · 09/02/2009 16:15

I always feel this half term in Feb is a total waste of time.

What is the point, why not go straight through and have an extra week in the summer or something?

FlyMeToDunoon · 09/02/2009 16:19

I once put up a tent in my older two's bedroom. they loved it, played in there and slept in it too. It was good for 3 days attention.
In my daydreams I have a scheduled day of painting/playdough/dvd/sticking/etc but usualyy ends up the same old muddle and me hiding in the kitchen with the computer and cup of tea/glass of wine.

GrapefruitMoon · 09/02/2009 16:35

Yes considering how much time off they've had because of snow I think half-term should be cancelled. I would also prefer an extra week in the summer instead of a week off in Feb...

newpup · 09/02/2009 16:36

Will I get flamed if I say I love half term? As my DDs get older, DD1 is in Year 5, I have become more aware that my time with them is so precious. In a few years she will have her own plans for half term and I am sure they will not include me!

I try to make the most of this time. We do the usual visits to the cinema, swimming, long walks with the dog, dvds and board games but I also try and do a trip to a museum or gallery. Might go and visit my parents or sil and her 2 DDs.

Don't get me wrong they are trying at times but as they get older I am appreciating their company more.

Sorry.

Takver · 09/02/2009 16:36

I'm hoping to send DH and DD to MiLs for some quality grandparent bonding time . TBH though she really could do the week off, she's had a nasty bug & although she's theoretically better & well enough to be at school I think that a week of sleeping in & not doing too much might be just what she needs.

LouMacca · 09/02/2009 16:52

Agree newpup. Really looking forward to spending a week with my 6 year olds.

Defo going to cinema and museum and will be doing painting and crafty things at home.

Also looking forward to not getting up a 7am in the freezing cold!

ChippingIn · 09/02/2009 16:59

FlyMeToDunoon - Love it!!! (the tent, the good intentions, the wine...)

Am I the only one who loves the school holidays?? I 'love' not having to say 'hurry up' or rather 'HURRY UP' 400 times before 9am, not to have to do the school run - to have nice slow mornings, friends over, days out... to me, it's easier than term time....However, I don't have 5yo and 7yo's at home... so possibly not a fair comparison!!

Now, as your question was 'What can we do to stay sane' and not 'Who hates/likes school holidays' ....

Depends on lots of things doesn't it...

Budget
Transport (car or public transport)
Location
Boys interests

  • Bigger Soft Play places
  • If near enough/money enough London to the free museums (Natural History/Science) the interesting ones with things to do.
  • Farms (Bocketts etc)
  • Park in old clothes to get as muddy as they like
  • painting/playdough/dvd/sticking/etc in another room while you drink wine and ignore the mess they are making!!!
  • new game for DS/Playstation/Wii I assume they will have (at least) one of these!
  • new DVD
  • Movies
  • Baking (take the valium first)
  • New 'bits' to go with 'old' toys (barbie/action man clothes/new 'food' for play kitchen)
  • Loads of paper, sellotape and not too sharp scissors (leave alone while you drain the bottle of wine in the other room)
  • Have friends over to share the pain & drink wine halve the work - descend on friends -Pay a local teenager to come and play with them (needn't leave them alone)
  • Play in the bath for ages in the middle of the day and make lots of mess without getting told off!!

Mostly they are a bit $$$ dependant though

ChippingIn · 09/02/2009 17:03

x-posted with lots of you - sorry!

Also kind of assumed you have boys... lol

nickschick · 09/02/2009 17:36

I love the school holidays too.

Mutt · 09/02/2009 17:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lizziemun · 09/02/2009 17:43

YANBU.

But i think i might be. I think as dd1 has had 4 days off due to snow last week and now a chance of no school tommorrow i think they should go to school during half term to make up the time missed.

In my deffence i am 36/37 wks pg and have a teething 17mth at home.

swanriver · 09/02/2009 17:45

Usually find Feb half term v up and down. Swimming is the best activity I've found to do with dcs. It seems so UNNATURAl that it feel like a holiday in foreign climes.
I'm going to hide a lot of their stuff before half term even starts because I think it is really mess that gets one down. And not book too many playdates but sort of put out that you are doorknocking material if anyone's passing..(but why would they be passing in this foul weather?)
And also buy loads of unhealthy snacks so that one doesn't spend £ buying crisps juice in cafes/museums.

scampadoodle · 09/02/2009 17:47

I find holidays difficult too but the feb half term is the worst. I have 2 boys of 4 & 7 so exercise is essential and a trip to the cinema & an afternoon spent painting just won't cut the mustard! I do like not having the pressure of the school run, but the boys get up early whether they have school or not so I don't get a lie-in... And because they get up early they're bored by 9am & wrecking the house & fighting.

Chippingin: If you go anywhere indoors (& DS2 is getting too old for softplay unless he's got friends there) it's mobbed or there's queues - have you been to the Nat Hist or science Museum on a wet holiday day??!

I am planning one afternoon at my dad's (with me, not dropping off), one day at Kew weather permitting, maybe friends round one day... If I plan meticulously it's less stressy.

I envy those who genuinely don't find it a struggle

bran · 09/02/2009 17:49

DS (4 yo) has a two week half term, which started this week.

I'm planning to do a few museum type things this week while it's fairly quiet and then next week we are visiting my parents which will take up Mon-Wed so only Thursday and Friday of next week to use up.

This morning I sucessfully tired DS out by setting up an obstacle course in the passage-way. I had a big cardboard box for him to climb into and out of, and sellotaped lengths of ribbon at varying heights across the passage for him to jump over or crawl under. He also had to hit a shuttle-cock with a squash racquet and throw a paper plane at a target. By the time he'd done that for 40 mins or so he was tired enough to sit and watch a dvd for an hour while I went to the gym. Then this afternoon I took him to a soft play place for nearly 2 hours. He'll sleep well tonight.

MrsMattie · 09/02/2009 17:50

If it's pissing down with rain like it has been in London today it'll be grim . How many times can one woman go to the fucking Science Museum?

LucyEllensmummy · 09/02/2009 17:55

lmao at taking the valium before undertaking baking with children!!

I am not looking forward to half term, this is because, although DD is only at preschool in the mornings, she will be BORED!! If the weather is good though we will do the beach - probably have a couple of play dates. Possibly visit a local wildlife centre - again, very weather and wellie dependent. Might check out local museum to see if anything doing too.

Might take my valium now!

swanriver · 09/02/2009 17:56

Kew is a brilliant idea. In fact even in wet weather perfect. Have you been in Climbers and Creepers which is a botanical softplay area?
I would go everyday in half term if it wasn't a bit of hike.
Challenges in park (even when raining)- make list of things for them to find, do in your local green space (ie; run in circles, find interesting piece of twig, white stone, make a hideout)
Easier to advise others than actually do these things oneself .

scampadoodle · 09/02/2009 17:58

Exactly, MrsMattie. In the spring & summer hols I'm quite happy to go to the park most days (it's a good one) - it's a bit boring 'cause I just sit & read or listen to my ipod while they hare around for a couple of hours but they have fun & get tired out. Weather like this? No chance.

Also, I'm a bit anti having an 'outing' every day ie to a museum or whatever. I think they need to learn to amuse themselves without a lot of palava.

twinsetandpearls · 09/02/2009 18:00

I can't wait for some time with dd this half term, lots of baking artwork and walking planned.

scampadoodle · 09/02/2009 18:00

Swanriver: yes, Kew is lovely, isn't it? We live right the other side of London but are on a direct rail link so I am a member & that's really handy in holidays.

My 2 love C&C. That & the treetop walkway. Oh - & the badger sett!

Like the challenges in park idea!

MuchLessTiredNow · 09/02/2009 18:02

yanbu. take a number and get in line

RiaParkinson · 09/02/2009 18:02

i am looking forward to the 6 year old being at home...less so the teens but most of all I am dreading the fact that the builders are also coming that week!! now that is worth dreading!

swanriver · 09/02/2009 18:02

or, she says brightly, the more obscure bits of museums {where noone else is} The rock room in science museum, the pottery section of V&A. After all they are most interested in running down the corridors, peering over the balustrades etc.

RiaParkinson · 09/02/2009 18:10

I do recommend craft/art stuff i am a recet convert

my younger ds's had THIS for christmas and it was soo successful that we bought them THIS for a post chrictmas birthday

if you have room just leave it out somewhere - i occupied ALL my dcs and even I had the odd rather peaceful dabble - very soothing for a furrowed brow

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