To force dd1 to join playscheme 3 days a week, during the summer holidays?

[SheSellsSeashellsByTheSeashore]

She is adamant that she wants to stay at home.

My house is a mess after half term, dd1 is very 'high maintenance' I cannot cope with 6 solid weeeks.

I have told her that she must join playscheme, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The lazy moo just 'wants to stay at home and play on the DS'

Because I'm renovating the house, studying for summer credits for my degree, have a 22 month old, am several months pregnant and have a very sore back. And I hate the insufferable mess most arts and crafts make!

And I am lovely. I play with my children, we spend a lot of time at the beach and playing outside (although we don't have a garden)I just don't believe my 5 year old is capable of making decisions over where he spends the summer, or indeed an afternoon. Thats my job.

Of course your 5yo is capable of making decisions.

Personally I see my role as more of a manager than a dictator.

You haven't met my 5 year old

He is capable of deciding whether he has cheese or ham on his sandwich, or whether he wants Ben 10 or Cbeebies, or whether we play hopscotch or skipping. But he is not capable of deciding whether he goes to playschool or stays home with me. Even if he is capable, its not his decision to make, not in my family. Yours is your own business.

I am a bit of a dictator. But I like to think of myself as a benign leader, more of your Tito of Yugoslavia as opposed to Pol Pot.

Well, I totally feel your pain. My 4 yo DD can be very high maintenance too - I think most small children are, aren't they?

I don't think you are unreasonable at all to be looking at 5-6 weeks of summer holidays with apprehension or even dread. And to want to do something to make it easier for yourself.

BUT, I do think it's unreasonable to force a reluctant 5 yo into a playscheme 3 days a week.

I can't help but think a compromise could be reached here? Personally, I'd insist she tries it for 1 week and if she loves it then she can carry on going, if she doesn't then she can stay home. If she stays home try and make your life as easy as possible. Get your DH to pitch in a bit - maybe take the girls out for a couple of hours over the weekend so you can chill? Maybe do some housework in the evenings so you've got less on your plate? Maye you could try and get your DD1 into a routine of 'quiet time' after lunch. Let her sit in front of the TV/play the DS for 1/2 hr-1 hr so you can catch your breath. Get some new play equipment for your garden (if possible) in the hope she'll play by herself on that for a bit?

Good luck anyway

@JoPie