What to do for the holidays?

[whoyouare]

Im a single parent to 3 children 16, 6 and 4.
Im in a very awful financial position right now very long story.
Im wondering what all other single mums do with the holidays? The weather is rubbish and I cant afford days out.
Any suggestions would be very much appreciated :)
Pleeeeease dont suggest swimming I havnt been swimming in 20 years because I will not wear a swim suit due to be seriously self concious of my body.

Go for a walk to the museum or art galley?

have you got bikes? You could go out on those. Or just wrap up and get outside for a walk. it's only water after all.
Lots of libraries have free activities for kids which could be good for your younger two. Presumably older one will hang out with friends of same age over the holidays? have a sleep over etc.
Or stay in and read stories, watch films, decorate (i know money is tight but sometimes this doesnt cost a lot), or rearrange bedrooms, tidy up, throw out old stuff, do a car boot sale, do craft activities (get a book from library on what to do), bake and decorate cookies. Make pizzas (make the dough and then get people to put their own toppings on - is v cheap too). Good luck!
If you are VERY self conscious about your body you could investigate what would make you feel better about it. Decide to get fit, exercise, cook healthy foods, etc so that one day you CAN wear a swimsuit!! Good luck with that too!

Thanks for your messages :)
I live in a small place with no museums etc. I will look to see where the nearest one is though.
We do have a library though, dindnt think of that :)
My eldest has a bf which she spends alot of time with so it mainly the 2 younger. We often read and watch films. We have recently done the bedroom one. I think baking is def next on the list :)
Iv lost alot of weight since my ex left and left with a not so nice saggy tummy. My legs arnt too great either :( oh and my boobs yuk!
Im trying to tone and shift the rest of the weight. Thanks for your words of support, appreciated :)

Seriously, lots of luck! You have done a lot already and should be proud of yourself! Baking should be fun. It is chucking it down here!

You could bake for a tea party, make some sandwiches and invite some people round for tea - another mum and kids for example?

Thanks ladydeedy ;)
My closest friend with children works so its late by the time she is home in the week. We do try and catch up on weekends though. As sad as it sounds she is my only friend really. I do have friends but not close friends that visit etc.

Can you have your working friend's child round for the day and have her join you for tea? I work full time and my DS is in Holiday Club for the days but I would never say no to the offer of a play date for him instead of club.

We have been doing quite a bit of gardening, we have lots of seeds we are starting off inside.

How about an eBay challenge? Get the kids to find stuff they don't need to sell on eBay and have a target amount to raise and some plan with what to do with the money? Either an individual aim or family aim, maybe a holiday or day trip.

Thats a good idea! Im not very good at keeping house plants alive but we could have a go at growing something ourselves.
I really do need to set up an account actually as I have things I could sell. Thats a good idea for them also. Thanks fanny :)

I used to let my kids make a den out of bed sheets and covers. They loved it and used to spend hours in there.

Charity shops have really cheap games too.

omg that reminds me that as a kid my mum used to turn the kitchen table upside for us and we would sit in it and pretend it was a boat - we'd use wooden spoons as oars and make a jolly roger flag and so on. other times we'd cover it with a sheet to make a den/tent kind of thing and have snacks in there. Happy days! I had forgotten all about that!
Also we had a cheap tent that we put up in the garden and played in there for hours, rain and cold regardless.

Why not check out the Gingerbread website and see if there's a local group in your area? If not, set one up! I did and now have lots of new lone parent friends to go out with.