6-7wks summer holidays no break

[bigethdicketh]

I am at the end of my patience my kids go back tomorrow but wow I am very angry I have not had one day off from taking care of the kids no family support, they are at each others throats and every thing is driving me over the edge. Anyone else have their kids 24/7 a year with not a break other than school, should I invest in a babysitter for times when it's all a bit overwhelming? Coping mechanisms we are also in a one bedroom flat with a garden though so we have that extra space however all they do is argue in the garden and fight even tho there are so many toys and activities in the garden, swings slides etc, I feel awful as I am flying of the handle at small things and dont want to be touched or spoken to anymore with all the guilt as well as just needing personal space

That set up would test the patience of Mother Theresa, yes to a babysitter, or whatever it is that you need to do to get some support. It's not you.

That sounds really hard OP. Do your school do a holiday club? The one at our kids' school is really affordable with an additional sibling discount and they do loads of sporty games etc to really tire them out and they get to hang out with their friends.

You need to look for activity camps where you can leave them for a few hours.

Those which offer full days are snapped up by parents who need to cover working hours, but you'll find there are quite a lot which are half days (try your council leisure centres for things like morning tennis coaching or athletics or other sports tasters) which give you long enough to have a break and might wear off some of their energy.

Or invite round a friend for each - I know it sounds completely counter-intuitive, but it changes the rhythm of how they play. Change is as good as a rest, breaks up bickering, and they might get invited back giving you a few hours off

Thanks currently not working at uni when they are at school online, I think the club thing this year put the fear of god into me so I decided not to let them go, but yes next year or half terms I will try to get them into clubs and hobbies aswell its just financially ruining, yes the home living situation don't help as we are all on top of each other so when things geg tough they get testing i know the kids also get fed up too and then i feel guilty which doesnt help to process emotions as there is no were to go for me to breathe without someone being up my ass lol. Then I feel bad for telling them off for being up in my space and I understand they need me but my gosh it's hard and now the guilt of wishing them back is kicking in but yet i still need a break. Thanks for advice all x