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Original poster

Since Corona I find it so draining when the kids are home

41 replies

Bluebellsinthesnow · 24/06/2021 14:52

I've got a six and 3 year old. My dd was in reception when covid broke out. I remember being so excited for our first summer holidays together and then the obvious happened.

In total she's been off for a month due to classroom lock downs. Plus the chunk of time after Xmas when they couldn't go. I got my three year old in with a childminder 2 days a week and she is doing him so much good. She takes him out all over and he's mixing with other groups of childminder kids too. So I get two days a week to do my jobs and see friends and family. Go food shopping etc.

My plan is in a year to start looking for a little job when my son goes to school too. But what I've noticed is I just am already dreading the holidays.

I have already booked them both into holiday clubs costing me £250 for them both to just go six hours a week. But it will be so nice for them and it gives me a tiny break.

But this week has been awful. Our family pet is poorly. So I've got a rabbit I've had to syringe feed and give antibiotics too every day. Then my son got a chest Infection Tuesday. He's now on antibiotics. Wednesday my daughter has began coughing. So she's been off the last two days. Then today Ive started my period. My house is going to pot. I am grumpy and have no patience today. I'm just feeling close to tears. the constant snacks. The constant moaning. Bickering. Runny noses. Lack of sleep. Me trying to juggle everything.

It just makes me think why dont I enjoy them being home anymore? I feel everything is so much harder and I have six weeks coming up and fear it's going to be hell..
Is anyone else feeling like no sooner they get routine it's back to kids home?

OP posts:
Piccalino3 · 24/06/2021 17:17

I feel like this too. I have 3, ages 1-7 and I just feel so so drained all the time. It does feel like they've only just gone back and now we're preparing for them to be off. I think the lockdowns, homeschooling and the general weirdness of Covid life and keeping the family going have really taken their toll on me. I felt I recovered quite quickly the first time but this time I'm still grumpy and quick to anger. I think it'd actually take a 2 week break on my own to recover but that's not going to happen. Not sure what the answers are but coffee and I'm planning on buying myself a really nice treat for surviving so far!

Dozer · 24/06/2021 17:23

Why just a ‘little job’?

Many of us don’t want to or enjoy SAH with small DC, which is fine.

Alternista · 24/06/2021 17:24

The school closures definitely took a mental toll on me i still havent recovered from. Im fine on the surface but like you, i dread the holidays now.

Dabforpearl · 24/06/2021 17:29

You have just wrote down what many, many mums are thinking and feeling. You are certainly not on your own! X

Original poster
Bluebellsinthesnow · 24/06/2021 18:07

Its like nothing is a treat anymore. Paddling pool days or days with them home playing just feel like hell. Parks are officially overdone. Fed up of booking in advance. Always a gamble with young kids it feels. Just not much to be thrilled about.

Glad I'm not alone.

A little job around school hours. I'll need to be mostly around for the kids and I'm not on benefits or anything. Just extra and something to keep me busy.

OP posts:
Sunflower1970 · 24/06/2021 21:33

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Illstartexercisingtomorrow · 24/06/2021 21:40

Sunflower1970

I’m not sure why you decided to become a mother?

What a ridiculous comment.

It’s ok OP - take it one step at at time and if at first you need to have them go a bit to holiday clubs or have movie afternoons with them it’s fine. You’re mentally wiped out from the last year - as are many of us. Give yourself permission to do less with them for a bit and don’t pressurise yourself. In time you will get back to normal.

Tossblanket · 24/06/2021 22:13

I’m not sure why you decided to become a mother?

Blimey.

SmidgenofaPigeon · 24/06/2021 22:17

Fuck off @Sunflower1970

Xanadu7 · 25/06/2021 05:35

You’re definitely not alone! I have two pre-schoolers and three teens and am so utterly drained. I’m dreading the holidays, it’s not their fault whatsoever they are all lovely and very loved but I’m weary to my bones.

Mincepiesallyearround · 25/06/2021 06:45

It is draining. Mine are the same age exactly and I work four days a week, long hours. But I do enjoy being with them at home! Can you plan some nice things for the summer? Mine will be at nursery and holiday club as I’m working but we’ve got lovely weekends planned (eg science museum, fruit picking, splash park, bowling, cinema) - you could make a long list of what’s on locally and build some weeks around that? And you mention family- can a family member have them for a sleep over?

millenialblush · 25/06/2021 06:50

Of bore off @Sunflower1970. I'm guessing you haven't had to raise 2 small children through these lockdowns. It's been shit, and many parents are at the end of their tether and worried about the impending holidays.

OP I'm with you, frankly the summer holidays being as long as they are is a joke, especially after this year. I'm dreading it too. My kids holiday club is £500 for 8 days in total, god knows what I'm going to do with them the rest of the time, while also working!

ComDummings · 25/06/2021 06:54

People like Sunflower are the reason I don’t tell anyone how I feel any more. I feel just like you OP. The lockdowns and home schooling have been so draining. My mental state is not great and the thought of home schooling again makes me feel physically ill. It was so stressful. Plus not having anywhere to take the kids at all for months on end except a park. Yeah that was so great over winter…
Anyway no advice I’m sorry. But I get it, I really do.

KibeththeWalker · 25/06/2021 06:56

Have you a career to go back to? Get some rock solid childcare in place and re-focus on that maybe? It will take you mind off the minutiae and your time off will feel like a break instead of more parent-drudge.

Sweetpeasaremadeofcheese · 25/06/2021 07:00

@sunflower1970 do you feel better now you spat that poison out?

starbrightstarlight8888 · 25/06/2021 07:11

Could you go back to work now?

FindingMeno · 25/06/2021 07:14

You're feeling overwhelmed at the moment, and that's understandable.
It's been an incredibly tough time, and it's ok to feel like this.

Northernsoullover · 25/06/2021 07:16

I used to feel dread at the school holidays when mine were little. Its quite normal and that wasn't during a bloody pandemic. People like @Sunflower1970 can FRO.

Willwebebuyingnumber11 · 25/06/2021 07:17

If you don’t enjoy it is going back to work an option.
I know many others feel this way, as shown on this thread.
I personally don’t, I have 3 between 1-8, but that doesn’t mean you’re wrong to feel this way. We’re all different.

Do you have a career to go back to or have you done any training or qualifications whilst being off that will help you get back into work?

Comedycook · 25/06/2021 07:20

Yeah I feel similar. I feel lockdown made me enjoy parenting less. It was so many months of such intense parenting with no let up. I definitely feel burnt out by it. Sounds awful but I'm so happy for the break when they're at school.

Comedycook · 25/06/2021 07:22

Oh and I don't think any generation has had to parent as intensively as this one has. 24/7 at home with kids, no school, no time apart at all, no sending them to friends/relatives. It's unbelievably hard

Rollingsunset · 25/06/2021 07:34

This is me also.
I’m shattered and will be working three and a half days. I usually do four days but I’m working three longer days so I can take a half day. I get barely any annual leave - 12 days a year plus the bank holidays - so it’s not like I can take any of that as it has to last until April.
This is the first time I’ve not had a term time only job so I’m stressed about trying to organise the childcare and muddling through with that. I also feel guilty that I’m going to be working as now things are open it would have been nice to be able to actually take them places but over the summer I’m going to have five days with them and that’s it.
That said, I also find it stressful when I think about them being at home all that time again. I’m depressed I think, there’s no enjoyment in anything and I just get up, do the day, and wait to go back to bed. The best time of my life is when I’m asleep!

Lsvxisnqoh · 25/06/2021 07:54

I feel the same. My kids are pretty good most of the time, but I still don't want the summer holidays. I don't think they are needed this year at all. I feel like theyve been back 2 minutes and they are due to finish the year!!
I've booked nothing because I'm not finding pleasure in anything that as covid rules and queuing and huge amounts of people who are also desperate to get out. So we will basically be at home every day for 6 weeks. My husband hasnt/can't booked any time off work because be also had so much time off with covid they are really needed in work now. He would if I asked but we'd still just be spending time at home so nothing fun.
My kids don't play out as no other kids around here, my kids classes don't really seem to do playdates. Havent had any since covid and I don't really want kids here because it's hard enough as it is! Good luck to everybody!! We can do it and hopefully it won't be as miserable as we think

IndecentCakes · 25/06/2021 08:02

Most of us became mothers when this wasn't the 'deal' on the table for us. I am personally sick and tired of having everyone at home and I feel sure it must be affecting a lot of women's mental state.

Comedycook · 25/06/2021 08:03

I still don't want the summer holidays. I don't think they are needed this year at all. I feel like theyve been back 2 minutes and they are due to finish the year!

Absolutely...another six weeks off seems completely unnecessary. I always take my dc out in the summer hols but covid makes me feel like I can't be bothered...everything is complicated by having to book, wear masks, queue, stick to ridiculous nonsensical rules