Is anyone else "dreading" the school summer holidays

[katedan]

I feel like such a rubbish mummy to admit this but I am dreading the summer holidays as I have no idea how i will fill the many days and weeks with my 3 DC. I am a SAHM now where last year I worked one day a week and my DT's had two days at nursery but this year DT's (age 2) will be out of playschool and DS (6) will be off school and I have NOTHING planned. All the holiday clubs are aimed at working parents and I don't need/want DS to be out all day as he would hate it. He is not a sporty kids so the football schools, multi sports clubs are no good. I have had a big list of things in this area happening but nothing seems to aimed at thie age group either it is for under 5's and you stay with them and I would not be able to take DS or for over 5's and DS would not want to go on his own. He does not have any friends and the playdates we do in term time are with friends with toddlers my DT's age. I am starting to have sleep problems as I am so worried about coping with the three of them for 6 weeks. Anyone else feel like this or have any ideas on how to cope. I find it very hard being a SAHM and am scared the 6 weeks will send me over the edge.

[fircone]

I agree Treasure Hunt good idea.

I recently needed some milk, and didn't want ds whining about going, so I made a list of things to spot on te way, one for ds and one for dd. So for an older child you can have things like 'miserable-looking granny' or 'hoodie/teenager with ipod' and younger ones can have 'post box' 'baby' etc or just pictures of things to spot.

[pigsinmud]

claricebean - where are you? Twelve weeks off!!

We don't do much. I don't drive and we live in a village so we spend our days driting in and out of the house. I don't dread it - I love it. No more manic lunchbox making befoe the 8am bus - bliss!

This year we have our puppy to walk so that will get us up and out.

[holdingittogether]

Clearing out bedrooms can be a great holidays activity. You will find things they forgot they had which then become the best toy for the following few days.

[claricebean]

schilke - we're in Spain. I know. 12 weeks. It's incredible. I have no idea how families where both parents work manage. Well, I do....there is a heavy reliance on grandparents. It works out quite well for us as we can have a long and leisurely trip back to the UK. But if we were here for the whole lot (as some families are) in the 45 degree heat, we would all go slowly insane I think.

[scarlett252]

there is loads to do with your children...museums...art galleries..they are all free. go to the Liverpool Museum its three floors and is interactive. if you are near the North Wales Coast..park at Colwyn Bay and walk towards Rhos..if you go in the morning the tide is in but by the time you walk to Rhos the tide will be out and walk back on the beach checking out the stones and wildlife there. Or go to Flintshire Aviation..its free you can watch the planes take off and land...there is a cafe there too. or Delamere Forest..plenty of things todo and usually some kind of activity. Loggerheads is a lovely walk and usually some adventure plan to follow. Walton Park is free and has large grounds a play area and crazy golf.

[scarlett252]

dont despair...see my posts for free and cheap days out in thed summer holidays...

[scarlett252]

If you are near Chester...walk the walls..take a picnic and visit the river and the park. The amphitheater is great to visit too... if you are near Buckley there are a couple of play areas which are free and you can take a picnic to. Newton near Chester has a fabulous play area and also a walk along a converted railway line...it will tire them out.

[scarlett252]

If you live bear Hawarden, in North Wales go to Geenfields.The children can feed the animals, ride on the tractor and spend the whole day there.

[scarlett252]

If you are near Chester. there is an old Abbey near Talace called Greenfield Abbey with a lake and a lovely walk. Take a picnic and let the children run wild....its great....

[umiaisha]

I have 3 and think the key to getting through it is organisation.

I have made a list of free/cheap activities and will stock up on picnic/pack lunch stuff. I also bought a family pass to a local soft play centre that should come in handy on rainy days. I make sure that I am up dressed, showered and face on before they are up as otherwise it takes forever to get out the door.

Dd (9) is not one for sports camps etc but she is going on a tennis one with a couple of friends for a week as I know she will enjoy it once she gets there!