to not want to fill my children's holidays with expensive and exhausting 'fun'?

[RedCharityBonney]

We're doing the odd thing (swimming, the farm, play dates), but loads of people seem to be going entirely mad with trips and visits and expensive garden toys. I don't have the cash, energy OR inclination to spend eight hours out of the house at theme parks and things, nor to spend zillions on show-offy pools. Or am I just a miserable old misery?

Oh god no - Lego land !!
Noooooo - i pay to send them to do an afternoons 'tennis' or tramoplining or games at the gym. I even sent DS1 on paintballing trips or quad biking.I usually sign DD up for a gym course. But if I have to go then the deal is off .
My not being involved is really the point...

( and we had a very nice coloured beetle in our bathroom yesterday )

I think I am one of those awful parents who tries to take dd out somewhere each day.

She is an only child, so although she enjoys staying at home and playing with me for the odd day, I try to take her to places where I know she will have the opportunity to interact with other children.

That said, she invites friends round to play a lot, and can spend all day in the garden when she has company.

In other words, frank, you have struck a balance....?

I do like beetles. Found a silverfish in the kitchen the other day when we had another boy around to play. I gave them all a short, impromptu biology lesson

"agree that only children must be harder work"

No they're not

Thank god for Lego, that's all I can say. With four kids we have a mountain of it and it keeps them going for hours.

I know a few competitive parents who do all the attractions and they don't just do them once, they have season tickets for each one too. I think a day at home with their children in the holidays would freak them out.

We have friends round or go to their houses lots so the children can play together and we can eat cake.

We've been all over the place this half term - beach, beach, river, park, ruins, beach again - I even joined the National Trust. It's the sudden freedom of having two potty trained boys who can manage a day out without needing a nap - I think it's gone to my head.
I'm sure the novelty will wear off.

Hey golgi
The novelty hasn't worn off here yet - I marvel at my nappyless, buggyless, non-babyfied state every time we go out! Mine have been like that for a year and more and it's utter bliss. We leave the house with .... two matchbox cars each and mummy's purse. It's amazing.

Boffin - God bless Lego!!

Gogli

The day I could to out without a double buggy and spare nappies etc for my DTS was indeed a day of liberation.

WE have been confined to the house for nearly two weeks now due to chicken pox. We have watched lots of DVD's, made cakes/meals, done cutting and sticking, joint cleaing activities, made dens in the garden, potty trained DS and dressed up.
I am the one who is going crazy from being cooped up. Kids are fine.

Oh and I managed to shave legs AND armpits.

Between my three children and due to spectacularly stupid age gaps, I had a child at home at toddler stage for 13 years.
DD has been at school for two years now and i still glow with joy when she heads into school.
And the holidays just seem so easy now they can all entertain themselves at home AND/OR cope with outings. DS1 is actively useful....

The holidays stretch before me weighed heavy with choices yet light as a feather through lack of stuff that i need to pack

I have an only child, so we often 'borrow' a child at weekends and holidays. Our favourite places of all time???? The beach and the woods.

YANBU.

If we can not afford to go away for a week let alone 2, so why/how would i spend £100's of pounds on days out.

I have already told dd1 (5.5yrs) we can not afford to go every where she would like in the summer holiday.

Hope all recovered in your household now Whyme2

Mulanmum 1 - all I meant was that I personally find an only child hard work in this context alone ie entertaining during the holidays - but just my personal opinion!

[- in terms of general "maintenance" cooking, clothes washing, bathing, putting to bed - and one parent being able to take them out while the other rests or does something else - of course they are much easier ]

HSMM - I think we are going to have to adopt the borrowing a child strategy - and failing that there is a "borrow a dog and take it for a walk" scheme at a local park ...

[dashes off to haul in supplies of Lego]

Ds has just spent a few days with a friend's grandmother. No expense was spared, they did whatever they wanted,zorbing, play places, cinema. Ate at McDonalds, KFC and Pizza Hut. They were bought ice creams whenever they asked for them. Was he happy when he came home? Was he heck.... he behaved like a brat.... a very tired, junk food filled brat!Usually, we spend a lot of time on the beach where they swim for free, have lots of friends to play cricket, rounders with and take our own food. Does he behave like a brat then.... NO!! I love a trip out as much as the next person but you can have too much of a 'good' thing!

So if it costs money they become brats, if it's free it's ok. Well, dc don't know the costs of various activities.
And if you mean it is structured or not, what about taking them for swimming/libraries, isn't that an organised activity? O and I hate beetles/bugs etc/playdough gluing etc.
And no, I don't alwlays take them out, ds (and dd to a less degree) are out on the street with friends for hours and hours (no idea what they do).

PS dc3 loves plaing on the computer whilest I'm trying to mumsnet...

o, this thead is a bit old, how did I find it?????