It's the summer holidays, the kids are 6, 7 and 10 and I am ill and very very very tired.

[TheOriginalFAB]

How on earth am I going to get through the next 6 weeks? DH might take 2 days off next week but I am pretty much doing most of it on my own.

Drive to safe, large playpark. Sit at bench. Let them play til lunchtime. Then have picnic, which they have made themselves, or go home and let the Playstation/telly babysit them til Dad gets home.

Welcome to the club FAB. It happens to us all, we just have to get in with it.

I've discovered the best way is to invite some of their friends over. Then no need to go out, kids are happy and will play for hours and it's free.

Also, if you're lucky, they'll get invited back and you may get a few child free days.

Actually they could ride their bikes to the park and then have a picnic tomorrow, thank for reminding me.

B - I do normally just get on with it but I actually feel very ill so wanted some ideas.

Fab so sorry to hear you are so unwell and tired. Thankfully it does not happen to every parent (!) but I do understand as I have ME and struggle too.

Do the kids have friends they could go to? Are there clubs nearby? Do you have relatives they could stay with.
I only cope as DH works from home and my dad lives nearby.
Good luck

tf - dd has a friend here too. I don't want to have anyone else round while I am so full of cold though as people won't thank me for passing it on. Will bare it in mind for next week though, thanks.

Much sympathy, I have been V ill for much of this year and school holidays have literally wiped me out a fair number of times.

We do bikes to park, home-cinema complete with hot dogs/popcorn/fizzy stuff, friends over (who hopefully reciprocate!), dens, CHEAP new toys every few weeks (DS - 6 - got £3 worth of plastic soldiers etc yesterday and has barely put them down), art stuff, baking (I get it all out, with a simple recipe and leave them to it..)

hope you feel much better soon xx

Oh I know shine, I was just looking for ideas.

I do have a cold but that isn't what is making me really ill.

Oh I know. I have had quite a few from you.

I am sure you manage fine. Most people are better at this parenting than me.

kids club at the cinema
£1.50 each
they watch
you sleep

FAB - stop feeling so bloody sorry for yourself.

Take control as Shiney says. YOU are the parent. Get the 10 year old to do a bit of tidying up for you and make you a cuppa.

What is wrong with flinging them out in the back garden? Do they have any outside toys?

All are in bed now after a busy couple of days.

I have been known to feel sorry for myself some times but I am not now. I am just shattered.

Right, off to bed with you now then! Hot drink and a good nights sleep.

Get lots of superfood fruits into you over the next couple of days and boost your immune system.

For goodness sake - it's not a competition to see who is having the hardest time!! It was just a request for suggestions - if you don't have any helpful ones then don't bother!

Well i do it all on my own AND i have a FULL TIME job too, so not only do i come home shattered but i then have to be a parent ON MY OWN, so stick that in your pipe and smoke it

if i were a sahm i would be horizontal while i gave out orders

and whats wrong with a bit of healthy competition its all about ME, didnt you know?

The kids have had a lovely day.

Well done.