Five things I’ve learnt about the school summer holidays

Corporate to Kids - 4 Sep 19

I have stumbled my way through the school summer holidays, and I’m pleased it’s the final week. It’s been tiring, I miss the routine and I’m scraping the barrel with ways to entertain the boys that don’t involve remortgaging the house. I’m no expert, this was only our second school summer holiday schlep, but I’m ready to shed my novice coat and shock, horror, offer a little advice about what to expect for those parents yet to experience the colossal break.

1 – High expectations

I remember as a child, a trip to the park was considered a big outing. Theme parks were the ultimate (and very rare) treat, and the cinema a big deal. These days it seems that we do so much with our children. If I told them all we were doing in a day was a picnic in the park, I guarantee there would be chants of ‘That’s soooooo boring.’ And I don’t think my children are spoilt; it just seems to be the way of their generation. Be prepared folks; these children want a lot.

2 – School summer holidays cost money

You WILL spend money on entertainment. Near us, there are some nature reserves with a few animals. I can just about get away with still taking the boys, but I think they will outgrow them soon. However, even a pretty basic walk with a few ducks and fish to holler at costs over a tenner. And that’s without the demands for ice cream. I am pretty adept at making packed lunches to save pennies, but it’s hard to avoid spending every day.

3 – Weather DOES make a difference

There have been days this summer when I have dragged myself about of bed, pulled the curtains and nearly cried at the hammering rain and grey skies. It equates to a despondency of not only a long day ahead but a day of trying to find things to do. The rain makes it so much harder. Soft play places will be rammed. Swimming pools the same (plus, I still find it hard taking two on my own). It generally means a last-minute playdate or a day of games and films inside. It’s doable of course, but I swear just one of those rainy days feels like a month.

4 – Parents come last

I have worked from home writing and looked after the boys this summer. However, my exercise routine is dead and buried, and any semblance of healthy eating is lukewarm at best. I can make packed lunches for the boys, but I struggle with my own culinary delights. I always have a picture of some healthy Tupperware meal for one, but invariably end up eating a sandwich and leftover crisps. As for exercise? I find it hard to drag myself to a class after a long day with the boys. I want to sit down and drink wine. Coffee and wine go hand in hand with school summer holidays.

5 – Quality time

Every cloud, though. For all my whinging about the summer hols, there is one massive win. Quality time with my boys. We have laughed a lot (I’m not smug, there is plenty of crying too). No clock watching, no rush for the school bell and no pressure of clubs. I feel like we have got closer and I know these days of them wanting to spend time with me won’t last forever. Their relationship has changed too as they are thick as thieves and I think they will miss each other when school starts.

What I have learnt is that as a parent, working or not, you have to be prepared for six weeks of a change in routine. Life will be different, you will have to think of ways to entertain them, and you will have to spend some money. Luckily, there is safety in numbers, and there are loads of us in the same boat. Combine seeing your friends and their children so that you have adult chats. Force yourself to get out of the house some evenings, whether it’s for exercise or wine.

Scrap that last sentence. Just force yourself out for wine.

Corporate to Kids

Who: Sarah - Queen of self-deprecation Job: from corporate HR career to Mum, Writer and Blogger Children: two boys with a 13 month age gap!! Obsessions: writing, Haribos, rainbows, coffee, fizz

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