Is my summer hol boring?

[whereissummergone]

So the weather here in England is rubbish and this first week of summer hols is utterly boring

I have 2 boys, age 5 and 3. 5yo does talk but not appropriately for his age due to asd and a speech delay. He repeats a lot. 3yo is going through the last of the terrible 2s as only just turned 3 so he can be a nightmare.. am also toulet training 3yo

Cos of the limited speech for both kids involved, the bad weather and toilet training all week, we have pretty much stayed in and watched too much tv and played duplo and not done a lot. Is this awful?

For context we are going on holiday next week for 6 days and have days planned out for when we return from holiday

Anyone else having a bit of a boring/low key week like me?

I think that sounds fine.

It’s ok to have a week off. Kids need down time too.

Duplo is a lot of fun!

We have days planned out just no dates yet but these places don't need to be booked.

So on average we are prob doing 1 or 2 days out a week and rest of the week is shops playground etc. is that bad?

I can't afford to do stuff 5 days a week and even free stuff still ends up costing a little

I think that sounds absolutely fine and normal - agree with pp that kids need down time too. It can be tempting to fill the summer hols with activities and ‘stuff’ but actually some days (like today) my 9 year old has pottered about, played with his baby brother, helped me make soup, played out with his friends next door for a bit now he’s watching some YouTube before we all watch a film together tonight.

This week we have been to Blackpool pleasure beach for the day and a NT place, every other day has been shops/errands/swim lessons etc. Tomorrow I’m making him tidy his room 😂 sounds like you’re doing a great job OP 😊

Don't see any problem with that. They need some time to adjust to falling out of school routines.

I'd probably have tried to give them a bit of fresh air and exercise, but playing at home is fine. It's a modern nonsense to think we need to provide kids with constant entertainment, learning to find something interesting to do is an important life skill.

@AuntieJune they get plenty air and exercise from playing and running in the garden and trips to the playground

@whereissummergone Playing inside is ok. Can they have toys that use their imagination? Read books to them? Do simple jigsaw puzzles and maybe some art? Plenty of indoor activities are good.

It’s not really cold though is it? Surely shops are utterly boring for little boys. Could you visit a river or canal? Try and find a lake and visit a different park? My DDs liked a steam railway or going horse racing. Dc are usually free. They learnt colours by jockey silks. We also visited open gardens for a good run around and swimming pools were good value too. Plenty of activities are not that expensive. Many places have summer events with Dc in mind.

I think there is too much pressure on parents these days to always be doing something.

DC do need some downtime and I'm sure you've all appreciated the relaxed week.

I agree there is too much pressure to entertain children out of the house these days. Mine are grown now but we tended to alternate stay at home and play days with days out. Days out would consist of a mixture of free and paid activities including visiting family etc. I also used to encourage them to keep a scrap book of the things they did over the holidays.
At home days I don't think revolved around the tv, lots of playing indoors and out, craft activities etc.

As a child we probably had 1 big day out in the 6 weeks and maybe 1 week away in the caravan. The rest was playing out, in the garden/at home or visiting my nan or one of my aunties with cousins there. Mum didn't drive and there wasn't much money for days out. Me and my brother had a lovely time. Social media has a lot to answer for.