Anyone Else with Twin Toddlers & school age DC ? How you coping with Sch Hols ?

[picklemum]

.... that's it really ! I have BG twins age 3 and older DD 7, and am finding school hols hard already. How are YOU doing ?

I am missing the DT's Pre-school sessions mostly !! that was when I got anything done.
Anyone got any fantastic tips ?

I tried a walk into town today, but one or other dc kept wandering off, and I felt like I was hearding sheep trying to cross roads.
And just do trying to do the little, tiny important things, like keep us all together !

I still haven't got used to having 3 DC yet....I am little bit slow !!

.....forgot to say, this summer hols is LOADS easier than last summer.

Is Easier- as DT vaguely more sensible but harder as Potty training still not finished.

Next summer will be a total easy breeze, I am hoping...

bump

bump

Well, not sure if I'll be any help to you because I'm in the same situation and am NOT managing very well!

Have DTD 21months and DS1 is 6 so I'm where you were last summer I guess! (so you are not inspiring me for next Summer as I have been telling myself it'll be easier then!!)

Really missing mum and tots as it tired the girls out so much. Anywhere I would consider going with DTs would be too babyish for DS and vice versa.

And the girls don't want to be in the pram, they want to walk everywhere so I invariably end up abandoning the pram to go run after them. Tho DS is good to help round them up!

The only place I can manage all three is one of our local parks but it is quite a challenge keeping an eye on them all and getting everyone there and back home again is a workout in itself!

So apart from the park, I am tending to do things in the garden - picnics, playdoh, drawing, basin of water/sand etc. On rainy days we watch back to back Barney and cry alot.

Oh the joys....it's actually inspired me to look into going back to work!!

Sounds like you're doing really well yourself, especially as you're still at potty training stage (DREADING that!!). It's absolutely a challenge having 3 so don't be too hard on yourself and keep thinking it's only 3 weeks more...approximately!!

There is light at the end of the tunnel for me, Ds1 goes back to pre-school tomorrow :) so I only have the dts (3.5) at home now! So relieved that someone else finds this tough going!

dingdong3, No this summer now my DT's are 3 not 2 is much easier, much more. But its still hard.
You have a v similar gap to me, which I find v hard as the massive big advantage of twins ( that a lot of my friends have ) is supposed to be you dont have different age children and have the problem of wot suits one age doesn't suit another.

I am always stuck trying to find things not too babyish for eldest but then if something suits her can I take along young DT's without them getting fed up ?
Was v upset at local Surestart Centre today as they told me cant go to any of their summer activities despite them being 1 min from our house cos i am not allowed to bring anyone over five. Darn

.. and dont worry about Potty training yr twins, mine have been unusally very bad. I've just been unlucky, mine have taken ages. Even so i can honestly promise you summer with 3 yr old DTs is much easier than last yr.

.. and goingloopy, I do find it isolating because I am struggling. I always think about "surviving" the sch hols when everyone else tells me they are enjoying theirs !!

Oh god I'm just surviving too, I have 4 (nearly 7, nearly 4 and the twins are 22 months). DS2 is upset cos he's used to having me to himself when dts having their nap and ds1 at school. Can't take all 4 of them anywhere but walk or park (one with fence & gate!). Luckily the 3 youngest are still in nursery 2 days a week because I work although I can't work right now as I have ds1.

I find meeting up with friends the best shot, I am meeting up with 3 mumsnetters on Weds (11 dcs between us!) and planning other outings with friends who have dc same age as my eldest so he'll be happy. I also volunteer to have a friend round for ds1 in the hope that it will be reciprocated (5 is no harder than 4 quite frankly). Also homestart volunteer is a godsend as she'll come with me to soft play or wherever. Just 2 hours in the morning with someone else to help is enough to make the day so much better.

Library is good for all 4 of them, local one or I was thinking I might venture into town soon. I can't believe there's another month to go. I've done my shoulder in, my spd has flared up and I can't bend or get down on the floor without pain. Find it hard too to not grimace when people are all enthusiastic about the hols. Not that I don't like spending extra time with ds1.
God I hope it is better when dts are 3 but I think that will be because ds2 will be at school then! Horrible mum wishing him away at school but quite frankly I'm not coping with 3 under 4. Sorry not very positive am I? I'll think of some tips when I'm having a better day!

Dingdong - I am in the same boat as you. My dts are 19mo and my dd1 is 6. I have put dd1 in holiday club 2 days a week just so I don't feel guilty about not doing enough with her. It is so bloody difficult to do anything on your own with all 3. My dts are at the age where the buggy isn't an attractive option anymore but the two of them on the loose isn't an attractive option for me! Seriously, dt1 will scream from beginning to end if put in the buggy but there's no other option. Thankfully there is a light at the end of the tunnel for me. Come September I'm doing a PGCE full-time so I get to get out of the house and do something I really want to do. I know what you mean about surviving the hols though. I literally count the days down. Btw it's 21 days today!

Counting down the days too
Really miss my toddler groups they keep me sane.
My dc's are 12, 10, 6 and dts 13 months.
Find it difficult finding activities to suit the wide age range.
The dt's want to walk everywhere but in opposite directions! they don't stop from the second they wake up, please tell me it gets easier!