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Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Original poster

Any other teacher mums struggle in the holidays?

9 replies

Flingaling777 · 14/04/2025 11:01

Hi, I know I should be grateful to not have to worry about childcare and have long holidays but I find it difficult in the holidays with no time to myself. I have a 9 year old and 6 year old both of which are quite clingy and demanding so I feel I can't even go upstairs as the kids will follow me and my husband is working from home in the office. I schedule play dates but I have find Easter and the summer long and boring at times. I enjoy my job and miss the satisfaction it gives me and inevitable continual umpiring tedious. Just want to know I'm not the only one that feels like this. Thanks.

OP posts:
Teapleasemilknosugar · 14/04/2025 11:08

You need time to decompress from a busy term too. Can you book them into holiday club for one or two days to give you some breathing space?

Whilst it might be too late for this break, have a look now to book in for the next half term break or the summer if you can?

For now, can DP take a day annual leave during the holidays so you can take a day to yourself while he has the kids? Childcare is the responsibility of both of you after all.

Original poster
Flingaling777 · 14/04/2025 13:29

Teapleasemilknosugar · 14/04/2025 11:08

You need time to decompress from a busy term too. Can you book them into holiday club for one or two days to give you some breathing space?

Whilst it might be too late for this break, have a look now to book in for the next half term break or the summer if you can?

For now, can DP take a day annual leave during the holidays so you can take a day to yourself while he has the kids? Childcare is the responsibility of both of you after all.

Thanks. There aren't as many at Easter I find near me. I normally book a couple in the summer. My husband is a lecturer and his uni holidays are after Easter this year. He is off from Wednesday as he has managed to juggle his days but I literally have no patience left and desperate for some space. I would rather be at work sometimes.

OP posts:
PensionPuzzle · 14/04/2025 19:12

You definitely aren't alone in this! It is hard being the default parent constantly during the holidays even though we all know deep down it's a blessing to not have to worry about and juggle childcare.

I've found that using the local play schemes to break the longer holidays really does help- I just need a day midweek to recharge a bit. We are lucky to have excellent ones but if we didn't I would be asking DP to book a day's leave to achieve the same. I also try to make sure to have half a day at the weekend to myself during the holidays. We still get plenty of family time then but DP sometimes forgets how relentless it is and benefits from a reminder...

WhatHaveIDone21 · 15/04/2025 19:50

I know this probably doesn’t help but it does get easier. I am in the same position but my DC are 14 and 10 now. They are both much more independent now but I find it easier when they have friends over as they entertain each other. So it can be better having 4 kids here rather than just my 2! Would something like that work with your DC?

YouG0GlenCoco · 16/04/2025 11:31

You are not alone! Of course there is the obvious benefit of not having to sort out childcare during the holidays but you also need and deserve a break too. I agree with a pp about some days in a holiday club or even taking them to soft play/trampoline park etc or playgrounds if the weather is decent and setting up camp somewhere so they can come back periodically. Even better if you meet up there with other parents so the kids can entertain each other and you get a bit of adult conversation. It's definitely not a perfect solution and not exactly relaxing but I find it definitely improves my mood.

Zippityjumpingbean · 17/04/2025 08:47

Yes this was the biggest shock for me after having DC, the holidays go from being time to decompress, to just more of the same but with your own kids.
what I found helped was to plan quite carefully so we had play dates, days out together, days visiting family and days when they went to activities on their own. The structure helped stop everybody from getting bored and fractious.
The good news is that once they turn into teenagers they vanish into their rooms or off out with their mates and it becomes a lot easier 😆

SlashBeef · 17/04/2025 18:03

Thank god it's not just me!
I find it seriously challenging. I know the fact I never need childcare in the holidays is a privilege but my gosh it's difficult to never ever be alone!
I also absolutely love my job and find myself bored without it.

niclw · 18/04/2025 22:33

I’m so glad that it isn’t just me. I’m a completely solo parent and full time teacher. I’m only just beginning to feel a tiny bit normal and recovered from the last term. My DC is 6 and seems to have spent the last two weeks screaming and has been so clingy. I’m already dreading May half term!

RuleWithAWoodenFoot · 25/04/2025 22:08

Get their dad to take time off work so you can have a day or two yourself. He can then take a couple of days off himself during term times.

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