Do all mums like being with their kids 24/7?

[MaxwellCat]

I am a lone parent so my kids are with me all the time. With the summer holidays coming up I'm not going to lie I'm kind of dreading 24/7 for 6 weeks alone with no break. We don't live in an area where kids play out so they need constant entertaining and if they don't they get bored they will argue and wind each other up. I'm exhausted on weekends never mind 6 weeks, don't get me wrong I like being with my children but 6 weeks non stop without a break I'm dreading it. When I speak to other parents all I get is how much they love it and how they are looking forward to it so am I just an awful parent not enjoying being with my children 24/7? Do all mums like being with their kids every minute of the day? I must admit it seems to only be women I see saying this.

Absolutely not. I’m a much better parent for my toddler being in childcare. I’m dreading them starting school and having to find ways to entertain them everyday.

I love my DS so much but I find day to day parenting incredibly dull and I personally don’t have the patience for doing all the arts and crafts bits.

Thankfully pretty much all my mum friends feel the same way - which is probably why we’re friends.

No way. I love them but it’s hard work. How old are your kids? Could you use holiday clubs for the odd day off? Any family they could have a day with here and there? You need a break, 6 weeks is long!

I haven't had 1 second away from my child in 11 years. He has ASD and has to be homeschooled due to other complications. I have no family or friends that can help.
I literally have been with him day and night without a day off for 11 years.
I'm use to it, but it is very isolating and lonely

You're not an awful parent no. I love the holidays, love the kids being off and really enjoy it. But I get why some people don't. Everyone's different.

Gosh no
It's HARD
I start the holidays with good intentions but I'm very happy when they go back to school 😆

Christ no - another single parent here...

How old are the kids? I require a lie-in at the weekend (laughs hollowly - I mean 8am.. during the week I'm up at 5 for work), and they wander down and get their own breakfast, and I ask them to keep it down/shut the living room door so I can enjoy that little bit of downtime.

I can't really stay up because of my early work, but I do sometimes in summer, so I feel like an adult, and I just have a nap the next day at lunchtime.

I'm also strict about bedtimes, so I can take my time winding down in my own room once they're in bed (I'm lucky, this hasn't been an issues since they were toddlers)

And lastly, I'm OK with screen time. Even at some meals, sometimes it's just to get food in you, and it's fine that we each have our own screens on while we do that (in my opinion). (as long as if I ask them to put them down and turn them off, they do that without fuss).

But yes, the holidays are long, and finding some space is hard.

Yanbu.

You'll find most people who say this are those with loads of support and childfree time. If they really didn't get a break ever, they'd be miserable.

Absolutely not.
If I never got a break I'd really struggle and feel miserable.
Have a 7 and 2 year old

ah nice to hear it isn’t just me then! I posted it on a single parents group so was actually expecting them to get it but nope lots of “I love being with my kids all summer” “I’m looking forward to it aren’t you?!” Makes me feel bad for asking. They are 12 11 9 and 6 so it’s pretty full on. I did wonder if the ones who love it have a lot of help with childcare!

I love being with her now she's a teen, but she no longer needs 24/7 attention!

When she was a nipper she went to a play scheme two days a week in the summer hols so I could get a break and get shit done. I was a better parent for it!

God, no! I mean I love them, obviously, but 24/7?! I have a full-time nanny (I live in Asia) and I still have enough of them sometimes!

I'm also a single parent and they live 100% with me (their dad sees them for a couple of hours a week; so far this year he has done one day out with them in addition to this). One sleeps in my bed every night and one has made a bed on the floor in my room and I've allowed it. Only the littlest sleeps in her own room so I definitely don't get proper peace at night. I rarely have a shower or use the loo without at least one child present. But I know I have it easy compared to many (they're aged 3, 5, 8 now so getting more independent, no additional needs, I live in an area where they can play outside unsupervised, ok financially, and the main thing - my wonderful nanny).

Agree with a previous poster who said once they can make themselves some breakfast and put the TV on you do get to claw some sleep/rest/chill time back in the mornings. We have recently cracked this on Sundays and it has been a gamechanger!

Don't feel guilty. Enjoy the nice bits of the holidays and remind yourself of those during the shitty bits. And tell yourself, it does get easier! 4 is a lot but the older ones will start going off on their own soon enough, seeing friends etc. Then a whole different set of worries will begin!!

Gosh, no. I went back to work early from maternity leave. Every parent I know regards the summer holiday with mild despair, at least just because of the logistics of childcare.

Guess I'm the lone one who loves being with their child 24/7. Time is fleeting and I adore spending time with my child (homeschooled). My mother was the same with me so perhaps it's an upbringing thing.

I'm a single parent and there's been many a day when I've breathed a sigh of relief when the kids have gone to bed or school.

Yanbu about holidays being long. I always did a play date or two with people who would return the favour so I was guaranteed a break from the kids squabbling or moaning.

No that sounds awful to be honest. Ex has them for three weeks so I only have 3.5 weeks. I’ve taken it as annual leave but Im still signing them up for activities. Ballet camp 10am- 1pm Wed -Fri type stuff is enough that I get a break but it’s not the full day camps as dc are not fans.

I'm a lone parent, my sons father only sees him 2 hours every 2 weeks. I'm only dreading it because I'm broke so won't be able to take him out as much as I would like to,some mums are planning to go out the country with their children /take them to day trips like legolnd, Disney etc,i simply cannot afford it, yes I do activities indoors with him but at the same time it's draining for me to keep him entertained 24/7 of the day, suppose to be nice weather aswel I only have porch, I don't have a garden aswel.

Absolutely not and it wouldn't be healthy for anyone in my opinion

I have sole care of my ds 14. I love the holidays and having him home for 7 weeks. He is funny and original and kind.

However, by 10pm most nights, even I am happy to retreat to bed. 😊

My nearly 3 year old still sleeps with me every night, he goes to bed 9 pm sometimes later... He has his own bed and I am consistently putting him on his own bed, but when I wake up to go to the toilet, his in my bed 😩

I hate being away from mine, but he drives me potty when I'm with him.

It's easier for some people as they are financially able to take their children out/their children's father has them sometimes

How old are they? I love it now mine are all 5+.
I do send them to some holiday clubs though!

Fuck, no! It’s not normal to spend that much time with anyone. We all need downtime and time to recharge.

No, I need breaks from them. I love them completely but also need time to just switch of and not be 'mummy'. I've never felt bad for wanting time to myself, I think it's a normal feeling. I miss them when they are not here though, even when its just a few hours!

No, they don't. I'm perfectly happy to wave the DC off to school, clubs and sleepovers. I also enjoyed a lovely holiday with just DH a couple of years ago, courtesy of my parents' babysitting.

However, I do miss them after a bit, like having them back again and I spent the holiday saying how much the DC would enjoy xyz. So much so that we're taking them to the same place next year!

I love them and we all feel better for times apart.