Pressure of the summer holidays

[cc99xo]

Any other parents relate to this?

I’ve always had a bit of anxiety surrounding my child, he had a very traumatic start to life which definitely altered the way I think etc so I’m definitely an over thinker haha

But does anyone else feel guilty on the ‘doing nothing’ days in the summer holidays? I don’t know whether it’s because he’s an only child (I’m actually due his baby sister in 2026 which he’s super excited about!) but when we have the odd day of no plans he just looks so sad and bored 🥺

I play with him as much as I can but I don’t think it’s the same as other kids! Half the week we try and do a day out like farm, sealife centre etc even softplay (although it’s utter chaos in school hols 🙈)

But today we’ve just stayed in and popped to the park .. although absolutely no children there despite it being such a nice day! I just feel so bad for him, he’s not a kid that keeps himself occupied independently but I just can’t afford those bigs days out every day

I know I’m putting too much pressure on myself but being pregnant as well I’m not feeling too great. Any tips on fun things we can do at home? He’s not into arts/crafts/baking and I think we’ve played with every single toy he’s got a million times 😂

Playdates with school friends?

Little kids love paddling pools, that would be my plan for the rest of this week.

I actually do think you need to sort something for each day. Doesn't have to cost money, but going to the woods to climb trees or the beach or like you say, the park, is important in my view. He's excited about the arrival of his sister but it's going to mean there's less chance for him to do the activities he likes. I'd make the most of this last summer as just the two of you.

@SpringadorableOh we definitely do. I mean I can’t afford to be going to the sealife or inflatanation etc every day (which he finds a lot more fun). On our days of doing ‘nothing’ we still always go to the park or fields by us or even the local pub with softplay. He just seems to need constant stimulation, gets very bored as soon as we’re out doing an activity, it’s hard

First two replies. Friends to play and a paddling pool.

Friends and a paddling pool at the same time, perfect.

Gets very bored as soon as we’re NOT out doing an activity*
The school strongly suspect he has ADHD which I do think too, but yeah it’s just alot of pressure 😩 I think next year I’ll book him in for holiday clubs a couple of times a week so he has that socialisation with his school friends

Unfortunately they’re all in childcare over the holidays, I’m quite good friends with his friends moms’ but they all work full time and the time they do have off they’ve been on holiday! It’s hard when we don’t have a single other child to play with 😂

Yes we’ve just purchased one on the weekend so he’s very happy with this atm! 🥰

For next holidays, if you issue an invitation early (before they book childcare) and make it for the whole day, I’m sure they’d be delighted to save on a day of childcare fees!

Oh I see what you mean! In that case, definitely don't feel the pressure! We'd all love to be doing super fun things all the time, but sadly I can't go sky diving or on holiday every week and it's good for him to learn to find enjoyment in more basic activities too. This is especially true if he's ND as it may not come as naturally but is still a really valuable skill ❤️

I know you say things at home but depending on where you are look up free events. It’s possible to do activities on a shoe string budget.

In Birmingham there’s a bull trail. My son loved going to find the bulls and all it cost was bus fare. We did that over 4 days and added a visit the free museum and the library into that.

Cineworld are doing £1 cinema too for certain films.

You are doing lots with him! We have 2 kids, so maybe slightly different, but they are generally having 2 days a week completely at home e.g. yesterday they played in the garden whilst DH tidied, cooked etc. We bought foam water shooters - the type you draw up water and spray it out before it needs refilling - and DS has had lots of fun with those.

How old is he? Would he do a few days at a camp with his friends?

If you are pregnant you probably could use the break!

It sounds like you are doing loads.

Nope, definitely don’t feel that pressure. Kids don’t need entertainment and curated summers. They need downtime and boredom and reasons to use their imaginations.

I do not know a single parent who has the summer off with their child (mine are now 7 & 12, so I suspect older than yours). Everyone is working most days, because what’s the alternative? So they are watching tv a lot of the time, with occasional play dates or planned activities (one of mine does a sport competitively so that doesn’t stop over the summer). I’m only home because I’m going through cancer treatment, so mine get to watch tv while I nap with one I open every afternoon.

It’s absolutely fine. Summer isn’t the best time for days out anyway (we live in a tourist destination and it’s carnage), but it’s good for them to make their own fun and decompress.

If anyone had offered me this I'd have been over the moon!