The end of term is upon us. Robo Boy finished pre-school last week and Super Kid breaks up tomorrow. Six weeks stretch before us.Six whole weeks full of promise. Lazy mornings, adventures, time together and hopefully fun. So why is it then that I’m kinda terrified?
It makes no sense at all. I love my kids, I love being a Mum. I miss them when they’re at school and can’t wait to pick them up. Yet parenting can be such a mixed bag can’t it? Some days are just as you imagined in your pre-baby, idealistic time. You do fun things together, laugh, cuddle, and end the day feeling satisfied and proud. Other days the children are irritable, pressing all your buttons and you just about survive with the help of cartoons and valium (obviously by valium I mean chocolate biscuits). You end the day feeling a bit rubbish.
So the idea of six weeks which will inevitably be a mixed bag of those two types of day, and everything in between, is a little frightening to me. I am not a coper, I get easily stressed and exhausted and I really really want to give my children a good summer.
With this in mind I’ve made a plan. I’ve planned each week, leaving two days a week unplanned so we’re not too hectic and we all get a chance to rest. I’ve booked lots of different activities. Craft sessions at the library, days out with friends, big days out etc. This makes me feel a little more in control, and means we can look forward to the fun things we are going to do together.
So tell me, how are you approaching the summer holidays? Are you a planner, or more of a free spirit? I’d love to hear your ideas for enjoying the long summer and giving the children a summer to remember.
Much like you, lots of things planned, a bit of spare time. Slightly, apprehensive.
Haven’t planned enough me time. I think.
Do shout if there is anything I can do of it all gets a bit much.
Thanks Gemma. Looking forward to Gromit hunting next week.
I met a mum today who has timetables for the summer holidays. It actually makes a lot of sense! I have very few plans, but somehow have a busy summer ahead of us.
It’s amazing how quickly it get’s busy isn’t it. Have a good summer.
I totally understand this. When my children were younger (they are now 11 & 8) I drew up a timetable for the whole 6 weeks split into mornings and afternoons as I found it easier to cope and it helped with the endless “what are we doing today, tomorrow, next week?” questions. Now they are older I can relax a bit more but do still plan a couple of things for each week in advance.
Glad I’m not the only nutter with a timetable! It must be nice when they get a little older and you can all really chill out.
we have such a big age gap between our children – our daughters are 14, 11,9 and the youngest 11 months. so this summer is going to be slightly more difficult to plan!! normally we plan each week in advance and each daughter gets to choose one thing they would like to do together then we choose the rest of the activities together. we tend to do a lot of at home activities such as arts and crafts and home made science experiements- this tends to be a lot cheaper, easier and more relaxed than dashing around every day!!!!!