School holidays worry

[lollipoprainbow]

Don't get me wrong I adore my dd 9 but I'm full of dread for the six weeks of holidays ahead and it's only Saturday !! We are quite short of money and she is an only child so worry that she's bored. She's great at playing by herself but I want to make the holidays exciting for her !! Anyone else feel the same?

I know what you mean, I work three days a week which takes the pressure off me and onto the childminder for those days! But in the past I’ve had whole summers and it is daunting at the beginning but in the end it often flies past. This year for the remaining non working days including weekends I plan something for every single day and put it on the calendar. Even if it’s something small like go for a walk or go to the library. Some bigger days out are booked but mostly it’s something which takes about an hour or two. By the time we had a slow morning, done our activity, had lunch, watch some tv after lunch, chill and play at home the day has gone.
My oldest child is 8 and in her down time she’s happy to do a bit of painting, writes stories, makes up dances and mess about in her room. I also booked quite a few play dates for friends to come round.

@butwhatcanwedo yes I work three days a week too! Her dad looks after her so it works out that I have around two and a half days to plan plus weekends. I want to book a definite activity once a week and have play dates too. You're right it does fly by, I should stop fretting !!

I used to a spreadsheet and fill it with as many free activities as I could. Like museum crafts, local events, things at the library, play dates.
I’d put in at least one full day out a week and one full day at home.

Now she’s 13 I find it impossible. The odd day out only. She can self occupy though.

I’m a sahm with a toddler in tow and I find it daunting.

I write a list of the all the free places we can visit library for the reading challenge, parks which are local but not usual, look for free museum. Also has a list of things which are low cost trip out for an ice cream and another of things you can do at home on a rainy day - making slime, cooking. Don’t forget play dates, just invite a friend around for the afternoon and occasionally chuck a few snacks at them and they will fine for hours.

Then I take a piece of paper per week and write down all the free one of event (there are fewer this year) - free outdoor film screening to take a picnic too, out door music - it’s doesn’t have to be exciting but just a bit different. Add in a couple of swimming lessons and you can easily fill in the week.

I guess I feel I should be making it as exciting as I can every day ! Stupid I know but you hear about other peoples exciting plans and it makes me feel bad. She loves being at home too making things and drawing so I need to take the pressure off myself!

I think we often set the bar too high for ourselves. You don't need to have a jam packed schedule for kids to enjoy the holidays, they're often happy with the most simple things.

Our 6 weeks hols are going to be a bit rubbish for our 5 kids. I'm 36+4wk pregnant with big baby and spd/pgp, my mobility is pretty rubbish atm due to pain. Dh has to go back to working away until the weekend before I'm booked in for elcs in a couple of weeks too. We'll not be going too far when I'm recovering either but the kids are not too bothered.