Half-term survival mode: does anyone actually enjoy it?

[GlowWithBalance]

We’re halfway through the break and I’m honestly wondering if I’m the only one who finds half-term more draining than fun. Every year I start with good intentions — day trips, crafts, baking — and by Wednesday I’m completely over it.
The weather’s unpredictable, everywhere is crowded, and everything costs a small fortune. The kids seem permanently hungry or bored no matter what we do. I end up feeling guilty for not doing “enough,” even though I’m running around constantly.
Don’t get me wrong, there are nice moments, but the overall vibe feels more like survival mode than a holiday. Does anyone actually find half-term relaxing, or is it just chaos for everyone and we all pretend it’s “quality time”?

I really like October half term. Lots of autumn things to do and not too cold to drag the kids on walks.

cant stand feb half term though. Too cold and I’m out of patience with it by then.

That's not true if they're in primary, obviously, as that would be an illegal amount of holiday.

For secondary, surely the kids are sorting themselves out with things to do?!

Illegal 🤣 they’re in an independent.

It's going to vary massively for people. Surely the posters who can't comprehend not enjoying it realise this?

We have nearly 2 weeks it's a long time for some of us with little support, no funds for day trips out and children with complex needs.

All my children have opposite needs. One needs one to one and the downtime at home to be able to even function/attend school during term time. He also can be prone to violent meltdowns if his routine and environment isn't managed meticulously.

One is 3 and needs to be out every day wants one to one intense involved playing movement activities. The moment I give my attention to my other two he is usually just making an absolute mess and is carnage.

One is very social and thrives off conversation and friendship with children his own age (10) but needs a fine balance of also being at home. His friends so far have been on holiday to other countries or holiday clubs/ days out so not available for play dates. So he too wants one to one with me to chat and discuss his interests.

They all want 5000 snacks and meals a day. Its hard work juggling everyone's needs and making sure they are all getting some of my time. We mostly stay at home. I can't drive so I cycle them everywhere when we do go out. I enjoy aspects but largely its hard work. There is no friends or family members interested to visit or take any of them out.

If I had one neurotypical child, could drive had spare cash for trips out or new activities, could work outside the home the rest of the time, I'd have a completely different experience of it.

We are most certainly just surviving it. I wish it could be different but there is very little support to change much of this for many people. Holiday clubs barely even exist for children with additional needs.

It’s our first one, so very much going to be trial and error.

The toddler is in nursery most of the week, so I only have one day with both kids to survive. We’ve done a Ninja Warrior course today, have a Halloween disco later in the week & plans to see friends Friday & Monday.

The rest of the time we’re just going to potter. Bike rides, maybe some baking, get a pumpkin & carve it, maybe make some Halloween decorations & have a few movie afternoons under a blanket.

I'd like to see which independent primary school only has 32 weeks of school a year.

would you like our timetable?

I’m miserable. My kids have been assholes the whole time. Thankfully I’m at work tomorrow. Can’t wait to get a break from my children and deal with the children at work instead. (I don’t work with children but adults who act like them)

Can’t believe I took time out of my life to go through all the term dates for 2025/2026 but I did. 33 weeks of school a year.

Yep! Day two and I’m exhausted 😢 I’m glad to go to work for a break 🙈

Sure! It sounds like pretty bad value if true. You might want to shop around.

You said they had 20 weeks' holiday in you initial post.

Frequently tops the ‘best schools in the north of England’ lists. Most independent schools will have leave very, very similar to this.

Sorry. They have 19. I’m a terrible person!

(some years it’s 20)

I hated it when the children were younger. Now that they're all between 11 and 16 I love it. I get to work in the mornings when they're still in bed, without the stress of getting everyone out of the door on time. Youngest and I went for a walk in my lunch break today. Then they'll potter around or see friends in the afternoon. By the time I finish work we can have a stress-free evening, no getting everything ready for the next day, no pressure on bedtimes, no homework due tomorrow. Tonight my eldest is at a party, youngest is currently making food, and then we'll play some board games.
I am taking two days off - I'll drag them out to choose pumpkins on Thursday, then Friday we're going to the cinema before we get ready for the trick or treaters to come knocking.

No, I enjoy spending time with my child at home and doing things together. He is 8 and is an absolute joy. And because he is usually in before and after school childcare due to me working full time, and he has activities over the weekends like his theatre school, swim lessons etc.. I cherish the little bit of quality time that we get to spend together over half term when I usually take annual leave. It’s not a lot of time in the grand scheme of things and I value it. Just enjoy the time while you can.

I came on to say ‘low expectations’ but others beat me to it. Low expectations are what get you through.

So many parents seem to think they have to be a 24/7 child entertainer or they’ve failed somehow. Where does this come from? Kids need to be bored. They need down time. They need less parental input and more opportunity to be creative and inventive.

My kids’ half term treat was a week of watching telly or gaming! We perhaps went swimming and had a McDonald’s hot chocolate, and we did carve pumpkins etc but otherwise I pretty much left them to it to entertain themselves. They were fine.

I am really in the trenches this half term so I’m glad to read this. We’re mid renovation so living with my parents, 2 year old has been waking up at 4:45 the last few days and my parents are very protective of their sleep so it’s stressful trying to keep them all quiet (all wake up once she’s awake). By the time they come downstairs it’s gone 9 and I’m already at breaking point 😂. Tantrums, general moodiness and at times just being ungrateful has just made it unbearable. I’m a senior leader in a special school and I said to my partner today that I’m genuinely tempted to leave education at this point, I’m either at work stressed or off with the masses on school holidays trying to get through the days. I’m fully aware it just feels hard because of the situation we’re in right and also fully aware it’s a fortunate position to be in but today I’m done. 😂

Since I've always worked in schools then any school holidays are mine too. It would be a pretty miserable life for school workers if they couldn't make their own "leave" enjoyable. So yes, of course, I used to be love being off. Yes, the kids got bored sometimes. No, as I only got paid term time only salary I often didn't have spare money to take them on fancy days out

My kids are at uni now and October and February half terms are a revelation! Proper time off work FINALLY, with no parental responsibilities whatseover! Bliss....DH and I have come away to the seaside and while everywhere is busy with kids everywhere, it is nice doing what WE want to do, on our own schedules.

Being able to take any annual leave at all in school term time is something that I've never experienced, so don't know what it's like. I assume it is vastly cheaper and quieter and more pleasant to do everything really.

My 3 have had 2 weeks. First week they were in camp. This week I've taken 3 days off and I've really enjoyed it so far. I work full time so just being able to spend time with them has been so lovely. We've taken the dog for walks, watched films, made Halloween costumes, popped round to see my parents. My eldest has had quite a bit of homework to do. A trip to the book shop has kept my middle one happy as she loves reading and going to the book shop rather than the library has felt like a huge treat. My youngest has been quite happy playing with her dolls and watching a bit of netflix and doing some sticker dolly Dressing books . The only paid activity so far (aside from the extortionate camp last week!) was pumping picking at the weekend.

I've found to keep plans low key works best for us as they are tired, I'm tired and everything costs so much.. I plan to get out each day even if just to the park or by the river with the dog or to the library/supermarket with a stop at the sweetie shop.
I also wonder if I'm at the sweet spot with their ages though as a few years ago it all felt hard going and exhausting!

It does get easier. Mine are 10 and 14 and feels like light years away from when they were 9 and 5!

they get dropped at clubs.
older one can take himself to meet friends.

stop the entertaining - you don’t need to do this all the time.
leave them to play. Bring friends over for play dates. Send yours to others for play dates.

meet up at the park with friends.

At the Halloween pumpkin field.

but during this half term you only need to do special stuff once or twice. If that.

kids enjoy painting
playing card games or other games
goinf to the park
visiting friends

keep it simple

I love the school holidays. Mine wouldn’t like set crafting and baking sessions though. Perhaps it might be more enjoyable if you look at what they enjoy rather than trying to so set sessions that won’t be fun.

That's hard. I was never senior when my kids were that age and was only part time. Hang in there!

Hard not to feel jealous at friends or relatives who don't work in schools being able to take random days off here and there to spend a day with their other half celebrating their wedding anniversary or to go Christmas shopping or something.

How come the 2 year old isn't in nursery?

I absolutely love it! I miss my DS when he’s at school, literally count down the days until the next school hols I only have one atm though! (+ baby girl due soon)

Your first paragraph made me laugh as that's exactly what my son and I did today 😅 Park, library and shopping for some Halloween stuff (maybe a cheeky McD's whilst in Asda too!).

I am definitely finding it easier as DS gets older and into school-age but it does totally depend on circumstances and nobody should feel bad about finding it hard.

Today was nice and chilled, felt very natural, then about 4 p.m. as we were both getting tired and DS was wriggling around after asking me to help him try on his costume, I suddenly felt touched out. We spend a LOT of time together in the hols, both likely autistic or perhaps AuDHD and the transition between term and holiday time is a big, if not welcome, transition for us both.

Majority of hols are just on me; when DH takes two weeks off at Xmas it feels very different. There is definitely still a slight sense of loss from when school holidays were my own, even though I live for spending that time with DS now. So it really does depend on who else is about, personalities and so much more.