Half term's made me feel so awful

[Emily3030]

Has anyone else had this feeling? My DD, 6, is having a pretty rubbish half term and I feel so guilty. She has lots of friends at school but none where we live. They have all been busy so we couldn't meet up with any. My DD is so disappointed it's painful. I am single and she has no siblings which is another thing I feel so guilty about. I play with her a lot but there comes a time when I have to stop and do some chores and she just looks so bored and lonely. Reading this back it sounds so trivial but I haven't been able to stop crying all evening about it. It's only the third day of half term I'm dreading the summer holidays. Everyone else seems so happy and busy, I have no money so can't do that much with her. Anyone got any ideas?

Emily - thank you for being so nice but I don't feel like a great mum much of the time.

I often think other people sound like they have good ideas but I'm sure you have some great ideas.

It's just harder when you're on your own - my DH in the forces so has been away a bit over the last few years - everything seems so much harder then and you don't feel as though the children give you a break.

Your DD will not think badly of you for having some time to yourself. My DD (6) now loves taking herself off to her bedroom to play or write her diary etc.

Emily, nooooooo way! we are v near Oxted! which school is your dd at? give us initials!

Hey all, I am a full-time working mother and at the end of half term, following us all having flu, I feel more knackered now that I did at the start of the hols. It is out of the frying pan into the fire. I long to be with my children when I'm at work but find it just as exhausting being at home. Glasses of wine raised to stay at home mums - you are amazing people :0

Hi em, I am a sahm and was going to give you some ideas as I am in London and we do a lot on a small budget!!
Am a bit about Dalex post tho'. Why be rude about other mothers?

Hi Dinny! It's a bit scary when you think you might actually know someone on here isn't it??!! Is there a PM function on this forum? I can't seem to see one. (LP)

Dalex I know how you feel, I've been run down with a cold and PMT to boot and it all reached a peak when I started this thread. The guilt trip was incredible! I seriously felt like the worst mum in the world, like I'd really let her down. But it doesn't seem so bad now, we've had a lot of fun together and I think it's important to remember that children get just as much pleasure from free things (like Luciemule's ideas) as they do from expensive outings. So Mrsruffallo, any more ideas greatly appreciated!

Hi Emily 3030, your daughter has made loads of friends at school, so you're doing something right! She obviously feels loved and valued by you, and due to you, she has made friends in school.

Mrs Ruffalo, No rudeness in my message or certainly non intended. I was complimenting other mothers.

what is a PM function then?

LP... can't work it out, I know a school with just L as its initial....

Ping Me...CAT?
Emily, you've had loads of good advice on this forum, but as you seem to do London as part of your travels together, can I also recommend other free museums - the V & A for the costumes, the Museum of London, Sir John Soane's Museum.
Also free in London is the Coram's Fields play area in Bloomsbury/Holborn, a nice little playground with sandpit in the SW corner of St James Park, and strolling along the South Bank...which brings me on to galleries - Tate Britain has some smashing themed trail leaflets for you to discover together, Tate Modern is a good space for children to explore, and the National Gallery is very child-friendly these days
You can also have a great time seeing the sights from the upper deck of a bus...you don't have to go on one of the costly tours
And for summer, make a note of the courtyard at Somerset House, where there are timed fountains that lots of children enjoy playing in. Bring a towel and a costume and she will have a ball, it is brilliant fun

Thanks Amazinwoman, that's so lovely!

Thank you Marina, we've done the sand pit in St James a few times, will definitely give the others a go some time.

Dinny it's a place near Oxted beginning with L! Are you actually in Oxted? PM=Private Message. On the other forums I visit it's a completely different set up from here, you can send anyone a private message on the forum, like email.