Anyone else finding the longer summer contact arrangements difficult?

[Pickledaubergine]

Just thought I'd start this for anyone like me whose kids are with their dads over the summer a lot more than during term time & who is finding it hard. I found it very hard not to pick up DC today on the last day of term & now won't see them for a longer time than usual because my ex is taking them on holiday. I'm throwing myself into work & have made some fun plans & made myself go to the gym but am fighting the urge to hide under the duvet. Anyone else?

Me!! Suddenly he wants more contact. Two teen boys who’ve had very little to do with their dad for many years is now turning the screws to have more contact with them. Older teen isn’t keen and expressing his feelings backfired last night and I was accused of controlling the narrative. Totally untrue 😤 I’m now backed into a corner to send him along for a week starting this evening.. he’s not at all happy. I’ll submerge myself into working and going to the gym, but would rather them be home surrounded by their own home comforts. He’s also taking them away in early August, again I’ll keep busy but I totally feel your pain. Not sure there’s much we can do. Sending solidarity to you xx

Thanks @therockingbird. Mine are younger & during term time we have a lot of back and forth so switching to whole weeks or more apart is really hard.
plus it’s weird seeing other families out & about & being suddenly solo.