I was so excited to get the children home for half term. Then they were awful. After a few days, we all got used to each other again. But just as we started to enjoy ourselves as a family, it’s time to go back. Is it just me who sees holidays as a roller coaster?
“No, no, I won’t be booking the children into any holiday camps!” I exclaimed to friends asking me what I was up to for half term. “It’s only a week! I want to spend time with them!”
As I went to pick them up last Friday, I was all excited. I had no particular plans, but I had Fruit Pastille lollies and a feeling that this holiday was going to be GREAT!
Then I picked them up.
All hell broke loose. They were de mob happy. Their excited little brother was an easy target. I was open season. Before we’d even left the school premises, I was wishing them back inside.
The First Cut Is the Deepest
The first day was just miserable. ‘What has school done with my babies?’ I thought, as I watched them fight over an old ricecake they’d found down the crack of the sofa. TV didn’t pacify them, soft play didn’t appease them, the park was a muddy farce, they spat upon my ambitions to build the biggest train track we’d ever done.
Adjust or Combust
Day 2 and I had hopes of a new dawn. Something had to give: none of the local holiday camps had spaces – football, judo, circus skills…Smarter parents than I had already got in on the action.
The lack of structure we’d all craved left us floundering. I decided not to take them anywhere – at least then our disorder would not be in public. I got all their toys out and sprinkled them round the house in the hope that something would take their interest.
It took a couple of days, but we finally started to adjust to each other again. I don’t know about you, but my children seem to change in the few weeks they are away from me. Yes, I see them in the evenings and at weekends, but to have them around all the time is a different matter. And they are different children They know words I didn’t teach them, sums I am amazed they can do, facts that I don’t know myself.
Holiday Equilibrium
On the day before last, we built a train track that went all round the sofa, under the coffee table and had a number of Lego stations. My older two, who’ve stopped playing with Brio of late, were just as excited as my toddler, who’s just learnt to identify Thomas, James and Percy. As I stood watching them play, I felt we’d finally found our holiday equilibrium.
Last Minute Panic
My peace was – predictably – shattered the next day. Why oh why do I always forget to check the book bags till the end of the holiday? Once again we had a horrendous cramming session, trying to do homework, reading books, spelling and phonics in our last day.
Home School Is Where The Heart Is
Tonight, when I kissed their sleeping brows, I was a little sad. School will wrest them from my bosom once more, and by Easter they will have changed again. Maybe I should consider home schooling them? I think, as I begin the crazed hunt for school shoes and PE kit.
As I iron their uniform, I ponder once again the irony of parenthood: one second, we would give anything to have a break from them; the next, we are sobbing into their sports socks.
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This is hilarious! We just finished our vacation from school (creatively called “February Break” here in New England.) And I can relate to every word. Except for maybe the rice cake. My kids don’t go in for healthy fare like that.
Jenny @ Unremarkable Files recently posted…Why I Can’t Keep Up with Current Events
February Break – I like that! Does what it says on the tin! Ha ha, believe me, there was a reason that rice cake had been abandoned!
Heh, I know the feeling. We benefitted from farming the boys off to their grandparents for four days from Tuesday to Saturday, which was a win-win all around as apparently they were on their best behaviour. I was with them on Friday and we were all together in London on Saturday before coming home with them, and the goodwill spilled over into Sunday. And now they’re back at school – hurrah! Now if only we could farm out all three kids next hols … 🙂
That sounds perfect! Yes, good luck with farming them out for three weeks!
Oh all this to look forward to…our weekends are pretty much like this though – excitement, disppointment, anger, peace, happiness…back to Monday. Joys!
Steph (Don’t Buy Her Flowers) recently posted…Sisterhood – one year on
Yes, exactly, hols are just like the feature-length version weekends, aren’t they?
Haha love this. Mine are still off (training day) and I need someone to rescue us. X ps. Love the new blog style
Complicated Gorgeousness recently posted…Things you do when you are on a diet
Thanks my darling, I now have all the gear and no idea 😉 xx
Very similar situation here too Jess. Start of the hols are always a bit tricky but we tend to find our groove a few days in. They are never easy but I’d take holidays over school days any day 😉 xx
Renee @ Mummy Tries recently posted…Taking the Medicine
Yes, sometimes the stress of getting them to school feels like more hassle than having them around all day!xx
Ha ha – yep this all sounds familiar! I had to work on the Tuesday so the 5 year old had a day at the ski centre so I think that helped break the crappy first couple of days cycle.
Mummy to boyz recently posted…Review – Big Scoop John Deere Excavator
Oh yes, good call on the early meltdown-bypass strategy (even if it did mean you had to go to work…).
Ha ha! I have all this to look forward to. Great post huni xx
You Baby Me Mummy recently posted…Fun with Friends
Thanks Aby! x
This. Every time. It took me 10 years to realise that the first day of the holidays is ALWAYS awful – takes a good 24 hours to get them adjusted to one another again and for me to lower my expectations. I usually find the last day is pretty horrendous too – mainly due to the fact that I always think it will be nice to have a quiet day at the end of the hols. WRONG! x x
suzanne3childrenandit recently posted…In Defense of Over-sharing
Oh, totally. We need a quiet day, and think they will too, but absolutely not! They have so much energy, the wee young things! xx
Ha this is amazing. Home schooling would send me running for the hills for sure!!! xx
Potty Mouthed Mummy recently posted…Calling My Son A Girl
I know, I don’t think I could really hack it. For a start I think my kids know more than me! But sometimes I feel like it would be nice to have them around all the time…xx
Wry, this is brilliant. And your new fancy blog – it’s amazing 🙂 xxx
Kerrie recently posted…Safety First When Driving
Ah, thanks babe! I’m well chuffed with me new look xxx