I am such a crap parent, I hate it when they are off school

[nutcracker]

I just hate it, never get a single minute to myself, can never find anything for them to do that will please all of them, and I end up wishing the whole week away.

I don't even like the weekends.

They are only off for a week this time, but then it will be 2 for easter and then the dreaded 6 weeks, at which point I generally lose it and everyone has a miserable time.

I like the fact that we don't have to have such a strict routine as when they are at school, but thats it.

how old are they?

I like not having to do school runs, the times are just not flexible enough for me. There must be a few good things about half term for you?

how old are they nutcracker?

Get them oput of the house Nutty. A nice long walk somewhere different.

Take some sandwiches - you don't even have to spend any money.

is it half term this week then?

I find it easier to get washed and dressed before the kids are up - somehow I feel more motivated. The weather is lovley here at the moment and I'm off for a long walk to the park and they can have a game of football. Will be taking some snacks and drinks so no money involved. Will also sit on a park bench and try and read my magazine. In the afternoon we will watch a dvd and have some popcorn. As long as they are out of the house for a few hours and have let off some steam I can get through the day better.

put the TV on. Put newspaper all over the table and a pot of paints and stand back.

Mine are 9 and 11 and I LOVE the school holidays. Its so nice not to have to charge about doing school runs, helping with homework, running them to dance lessons etc.

We have lots planned for this week.
Mon- At the mo we hare having a bit of a Dr WHo fest watching episodes from the last series then we have a girly nail painting session planned, walking the dog, cycling to the park.

Tues- Lunch out somewhere ( doesn't have to cost alot)and pottery painting (Actually this is expensive but you can find little models to paint at home from pound shops (or the factory shop) for about £1 each)

Weds.- DDs are having friends round (bit of peace for me as they squirrel themselves away with their games consols/ ds/ cd players.

Thurs-Bit of retail therapy for our holiday at Easter.

Friday- cinema (kids club at local flicks costs £1 each for the dds and me free if we ga at the 11am performance.)

Sorry, I went to get dressed.

They are all quiet at the mo, watching the Ben 10 movie.

We have nothing planned all week really.

Today we aren't doing anything really.

Tuesday my dad and brother should be coming over to do the shed and both Dd's are going to a craft day at Brownies.

The main problem is that we can't get anywhere really without using the bus and that costs me £6 for all of us and I can't afford to do that more than once in a week really.

Was going to send them out in the garden later but have just been out and it's still like a bog despite the sunshine.

They are 10,8 and 5 by the way.

Nutty can't you buy a weekly bus pass?

For me or us all ??

Just for me it would cost £11 a week, then the kids bus fare on top of that would be £4.50, i think.

The ticket I get is a family daysaver, tis the cheapest way of doing it as far as I know.

Put their wellies on! Nothing wrong with a bit of mud!

They don't have any wellies.

Well I must admit that now they are older I don't enjoy it as much. I always coped before by ensuring we got out every day and did something. I'd got mad stuck at home. But now that my oldest is 11 he doesn't want to go with me most of the time, and even my nearly 9yr old DD prefers to play with her friends at home. So every trip becomes a battleground .

However as I take time off work when they are on hols I have more incentive to enjoy it I suppose.

We are having a pyjama day - get loads of crap food in, stay in pjs and watch dvds

We have four movies planned:
Ella Enchanted, Wizard of Oz, School of Rock and the new Studio gibli thing Tales of Earthsea

don't know who is looking forward to it mroe, me or kids

no wellies [thunk]

what size feet do they have?

Do they all have bikes? Can you take them out every morning for a good long walk, bike ride?

How about going to the library and getting a pile of books?

What is there around you that can be reached without public transport?

Have they got scooters or skates, something they can practice without a lot of hoo-ha on a flat concrete surface?

when the bog dries up, can they pitch a tent if you have one in the garden? Alternatively, you can drape an old sheet over a clothes line or equivalent and put heavy stones on either side to hold the sheet down and a plastic sheet to sit on maybe?

It would be easier if I could let them play out front but they can't because of the shits that hang around here, riding up and down on their scrambler bikes, cars etc.

I think the trick (if there really is one) is to structure the day a bit.

I know what you mean, Dh has just taken dog and DD out for walk just leaving me with DS - sooo peaceful in comparison.

Can you get our for a walk instead of using the bus?

Make pastry shapes, cook and paint them tomorrow.
Make tents.
Painting/drawing/playdoh/modelling
Video
See if any other parents about to do things with

If all else fails make them do some school work, the next time you mention it they will prob all disappear to their rooms and give you 5 mins peace.

yes structuring day good