Half term and teenager

[Carol52]

Hello. Feel awful just have not dobe slot with daughter this week. We went to London on Saturday and she was at her friends Monday and her friend came round for tea and stopped for a while on Tuesday. But apart from that I have not been anywhere with her partly I am shattered and also financially skirt. Feel as though it’s a lousy half term for her. Said we would go for a nice walk at the coast or something tomorrow . Any comments

Sometimes you just need to rest. I bet she’s been chilling on her phone/watching Netflix and is absolutely fine.

For my teenage girls this is a dream half term. Walk tomorrow sounds lovely - be kinder to yourself.

I have two teens at home for half term, but DH and I are both working all week so we haven't been around much at all. They seem fine though!

A teenager? There must be more to this. Why doesn’t she just organise her own stuff with friends and go out herself? I don’t think many parents do much over half terms eith teenagers both because a teenager prefers to be with their friends, and most parents are working.

There's a lot to be said for just being in each others' presence. I've known teens and parents who barely spend any time together. DD is 13 and even if we have nothing planned at the weekend I try to make sure I spend time doing something in the same room as her rather than let her be isolated in her room. Usually just reading a book while she does something similarly on her own (I don't allow her to spend long scrolling aimlessly on her phone). Going for a walk together sounds fun. She sounds like she's done fun things if she's seen friends

Also, you don't have to spend money and go out somewhere to have fun. Think of something she likes then a way to make it slightly more special Eg make popcorn or make a cake then watch a TV show / film she likes (even if it's not something you would ever choose to watch yourself).

So we are on Thursday of half term and she has done 3 things and is doing another thing so that's 4 things in half term. Seems plenty for a teenager if she wants to do more she can organise and do it herself. Don't compare especially with people that like to post I line about all the memories they are making.

You went to london, shes been to friends, had friend round. That isn't nothing.

Absolutely nothing wrong with being at home and doing nothing. What with work and school doing nothing is the perfect way to rest and relax ready to start all over again next week.
Just enjoy it!

There is nothing wrong with the week you described. I don't know why people feel so preassured at half terms. When I was a child big days out were a rare treat. When I was a teen I just wanted to be with my friends in the holidays. As a parent, I work most of the school holidays, little one goes to childcare and teens do their own thing.

What is the problem? Has she complained?

Rest is exactly what's needed in the middle of an exceptionally busy term.
Mine's 15, we've been Prom dress shopping, a day shopping in the city today but apart from that we've been at home, chilling, catching up on TV, revising.

I know from many years as a teacher, many teens barely leave their bedroom for a week, they just game or look at their phones, or sleep. That's all fine too.

I have felt awful too! we have been flat out working and teen has been doing his own thing. He is having mates round tomorrow night. I apologised tonight that we haven’t done much and he said he had a great week chilling and seeing friends.

My teens would think a trip into London was v exciting!

That sounds like a lovely, relaxing week off for her.
I can’t speak for every teenager but I have four and I know none of them would be massively keen on a week of constant organised activities anymore. They like time to decompress and do their own thing when they’re off school.

We were working (I have 1.5 days leave left I am saving for Christmas) and DD2 was out seeing her friends and working at her PT job herself. It's fine.

I hear you. I've got anemia and it's a struggle to walk much anyway. I do think teens generally are happy to do their own thing. Mine seem to call friends a lot and get into shows or books and want to disappear rather than be with an adult all day anyway.

It sounds like a perfect balance of things and chilling. I'd be happy with what you have described.

You’ve done more than us if that makes you feel better. My middle DC has been really poorly all week so we’ve mostly stayed in. DH has taken our 5 year old out to a light show last night as I felt really guilty that his half term has been ruined. The September/October school term is the longest of the year though and both my eldest are very run down a tired so I’ve tried to look at is a week for them to chill and recharge.

We will probably go to Halloween party this aft as DD seems a brighter today and go for a nice walk somewhere at the weekend so very similar to you. It is hard not to feel guilty though.

Honestly don’t stress she’s a teen so if she wanted too she would go meet her friends. Me and my daughter chilled all week last week for half term. I was unwell and she came down with it Wednesday so we use the week to relax watch tv, catch up on washing and eat snacks xx

Thanks for your posts.

Ive been working all week and my two teen sons have been mostly occupying themselves, we were out on wed night at a Halloween event and visiting family last night.
I have taken today off and will spend it with them on the sofa with snacks doing a spooky movie marathon and I cant wait.
Maybe watch a couple of spooky movies today with some popcorn and blankets? It can be a lovely way to spend time together without doing too much and perfect day for it.
I think sometimes as parents we feel constant pressure to be taking kids out and arranging things for them and feeling this need to make memories. Which I love doing but I know it can be stressful.

She was probably glad to have some downtime. Eight weeks is a long half term and they get tired. You can always plan a girly day/evening for the weekend. 🙂