Abu to be sick of hearing parents whine about school holidays

[Bekstar]

Our kids are about to break up for a weeks school holidays. Me personally I can't wait to spend some proper time with my child. I'm lost when he is at school. Regardless of how well he is behaving I never wish he was back at school.
But what annoys me is the amount of posts on social media lately about how parents are dreading the school holidays, that they can't wait for them to go back etc.
These are your kids, not the teachers, yours, they spend 6 hours a day at school, as it is. But then you begrudge them having a little time to let off steam at home. Personally I had my child because I love kids and although I know school is important for him, I love the holidays and love to spend time with him. Because during school term time I only see him for two hours each night before he is asleep, we don't get much time to do anything and when we do it's normally homework related. Weekends are super busy as it is because it's the only time DS gets to see his grandparents so again we are limited to the time we get to spend together just as a small family. So when school holidays come I'm over the moon, I get to spend quality time with my child. But then I hear parents whine about how there should be less school holidays or that they wish they were back at school, it makes me pity their kids. These are children who have spent every day for weeks on end away from their families, and so what if they are exited and a bit playful because its the holidays. Make the most of it
My mum had 7 of us and still made room for more through the holidays. We always had friends round, cousins stopping etc. Not once did my mum ever complain, she always made sure to spend time with us during school holidays even if it was just over a bit of gardening or playing board games.
Instead of whining about looking after their own children, some parents need to rwalise they brought that child into the world maybe they need to spend some time with them. Don't just leave your child to entertain themselves and then wonder why they fight and squabble or scream and whine. Plan something to do with the that's fun. Enjoy the time with them. They will be back at school before you know it.

[SoyDora]

And mine aren’t even at school yet!

[SoyDora]

I’m 9 weeks pregnant with severe morning sickness, DH is away with work for the week, it hasn’t stopped raining and most of my friends with children are away. I’m struggling with this half term.

[DavetheCat2001]

I'm fed up with Half Term already.

Weather is shit.

I have tried to do something with the kids every day so far for a few hours, but have to work too (luckily at home), but there have been a LOT of films watched...and yes I do feel guilty.

[TheDrinksAreOnMe]

That’s cute OP

I work all hours gods sends as does my husband, we have to drop hours in order to look after the kids. That doesn’t pay the bills.

Bless you for having the liberty to spend so much time with your children.

You have a brass neck

[NotEnoughTime]

I thi

[SweetheartNeckline]

I am a SAHM with enough money to go on days out and access to a car. We also live somewhere well populated with lots of friends nearby. Of course I enjoy the school holidays full of lazy mornings (not rushing off to holiday club / work), days out and ice creams (costs money, but easily accessible for me with the car) and catching up with friends.

Not everyone's situation is the same. School isn't childcare but it forms the backbone of most people's arrangements, and changing those arrangements is costly and a faff.

[Fireballfriends]

Holidays with one school aged child must be bliss.

10 days with 3 under 5s (who have very different needs except for one - me) IS enjoyable and I do feel #^^soblessed but it's bloody hard work, draining and can be expensive. I need eyes in the back of my head from the minute I wake up until they go to bed and I need about 8 extra hands. Which I don't have.

Can't imagine how much harder it must be for those with SEN issues.

Yes - shock horror, different families have different experiences....

[omione]

FreezerFoodYum: Not patronising at all just the truth. Message was typed using paragraphs but appeared on screen without. I did manage to learn sumfink at school and Uni

[NataliaOsipova]

I love the school holidays. Look forward to them. Get that “back to school” feeling I used to get myself as a child. BUT....

a) I’m a SAHM, so no childcare worries
b) No money worries, so we have loads of fantastic days out
c) My two kids are best pals

What I fully understand, though, is that if any of the three things above were different, then I might feel differently about it....!

I think this is the cause of so much unnecessary angst on here on all topics -people fail to realise that other people’s lives and experiences aren’t exactly the same as their own. Once you understand that, it doesn’t surprise you at all that their choices and opinions are different from yours. It’s easy to say that you value time over money, for example, if you have a lot of money and much more difficult if you don’t.

[freezerfoodyum]

omione in return for all that helpful and not remotely patronising advice, I'd be more than happy to give you advice on how to use paragraphs.

[omione]

Yes holidays aren't the easiest of times but why do some Mums make it hard for themselves ? STOP asking your kids what they want to do and START telling them what they are going to do, if you ask more than one child what they want to do today you will get different answers,what do you expect when they start arguing about it then 1 sulks because they are not getting their own way ?
As for the cost its a bit like Christmas, you know its going to happen so save for it after all that is what the
child benefit is for. Get your Children to draw up a wish list now of 3 things they would like to do in the holidays then consider with them if it is possible.
Before you know they will be adults, and the days they will remember are the ones where the had your time and attention the "stuff" that you buy them is not important in the long run they just want your attention and before you say you dont have the time answer this how much time do you spend with your phone clamped to your hand updating facebook or mumsnet ?
Will the children remember your face clearly or your face with a phone in front of it ? Be honest with yourself

[missmouse101]

Still unreasonable post OP. Still difficult to read without PARAGRAPHS. I can't waste my time on this any more, I have children to look after.

[mustbemad17]

Ironically i worked with kids since i was 15...was always the go to in the holidays for parents. Still don't like long holidays with my own, for the reasons i mentioned earlier. I also hate other people's kids i don't work with kids anymore either so day trips out in the holidays are my idea of hell on earth even when we can afford them

[Turquoisesea]

You love the holidays, good for you. Some find them difficult. It’s not a competition. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. It’s doesnt make you a better parent because you love every minute of it.

[RainbowBriteRules]

Totally agree Notonthestairs. I had NO IDEA either. Had never babysat, no very young siblings or cousins, had only held a baby a few times. I had no clue.

[Notonthestairs]

I'm just a bit surprised at the posters that knew exactly what it would be like to be a parent before they had a child - and therefore never need to moan about being a parent sometimes.
I had no idea. Honestly zip. Really hadn't thought much beyond delivery. And we had IVF so we'd had a long time to think it through but no!

[longestlurkerever]

It sounds like you have very involved GPs, OP, which does lighten the load. I enjoy the school holidays for about a month, then the lack of routine seems to really kick in and dd1 turns feral and I totally run out of money. I'd love more flexibility to have a few days off here and there rather than 6-7 weeks off

[mustbemad17]

OP i hope you never moan about anything, ever, in your life

[SoyDora]

What do you want people to say? That you’re a saint?
People are allowed to moan about things. They’re allowed to find things difficult. As long as they’re not saying ‘I bloody hate having you at home’ to their children then they’re not harming anyone.

[Bekstar]

Nobody said you shouldn't work and that's not what I implied 64boolane. I responded to those saying I should get a job. I've had a job and I still had the same opinion. It wasn't implied that anyone should give up work. As for those saying I can't enjoy refereeing no I don't I hate it expecially when some of the kids know my limitations and know if they get into a fight in a middle of trampoline then I'm unlikely to be able to stop them. But I never said I enjoy refereeing, I said I enjoy spending time with my child and no I don't always get to hand my DN back, sometimes his mum works away and that means I can have him for a week none stop. So yes it is the same. Although my own child has a different bond with me I can't switch off been Auntie to my nephew. I would do the same with him as my own I have him overnight regularly as my sister had mine when I was working the same shifts.

[Notonthestairs]

Please do not suggest that working parents care more about their work than their children.
They are doing the best they can for their family. You do not get to sit on judgement on them.

You do your bit, I'll do mine.

[Gazelda]

Spot on 64BooLane

OP, I sympathise for your difficulties. I admire you for helping your DSis to be able to work while you look after her child. And the other children you look after.

But please, try to empathise with other parents who juggle different difficulties to you. And stop knocking those who may whine a little. Just because you don't do the same, doesn't make you a better parent (necessarily), or mean that they love their DC less than you do. Nor do their DC necessarily have. Less fulfilling upbringing than you provide to yours.

Anyway, what difference is there between parents whining on FB about how they dread the school hols, to you whining on MN about how parents who whine on FB piss you off?

[Biologifemini]

I don’t have the annual leave so it is tough.
I like spending time with my child but I also need to earn money.
Holidays are fine as long as they are not too long.
I think you are being unreasonable.

[freezerfoodyum]

Having read your update, you are still BU.

[64BooLane]

Although I do also love my work, when time allows for me to focus on it. So it’s not simple.