what do you do in the school summer hols if you DON'T work?

[sansouci]

I never thought that I would dread summer but it was a disaster last year, trying to find enough activities to keep dd away from the telly & out of doors! This summer, ds will be 2, dd 5... any ideas?

Make sure that you go on holiday during the school holidays. Two years ago, we went away for a fortnight just before the holidays started. So we arrived back in time for babygroups to break up for 6 or 7 weeks, and all our friends to start going off on holiday. It was awful.

Last year we went away for a fortnight at the beginning of the holidays, and came back to 4 relaxing weeks, which somehow passed much more quickly.

Find activities that both of your children enjoy- possibly swim lessons? I agree with purpleturtle, try to arrange your holidays so they 'fit' with other families. Make a list of local places your children enjoy along with places you've never been (this is relatively easy- just dedicate an hour a week to cutting out places in magazines or going online. Also, don't forget projects for rainy days) and by the time your children are out of school, you should have a list a couple pages long! There are more things locally than you know, just give it a look.

www.peanutsfan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ Here might be a good place to start!

Remember, the sooner you start a list, the longer it'll be.. and, you can keep it and add to it for years to come. Good luck!

Also, I just found this other site, maybe it will help!

www.allkids.co.uk/kids_pages/Boredom_busters.shtml

Good luck! And have fun! (if you find things you enjoy as well, it won't feel so tedious!)