It’s official: just like the school run, I’ve discovered I hate half term. They call it the ‘half term holiday’, but it’s not a holiday. Not my kind of holiday, anyway. There’s more toys to tidy up, more meals to produce, more washing to be done and more activities to organise.
This week has only been our second experience of half term since BB started school, and we (stupidly) decided to take the week off work since both the kids were off. Which was a decision I regretted by Tuesday.
Here are 5 reasons I hate half term:
1. You shell out money hand over fist. I know I can often be heard bemoaning the cost of childcare, but we seem to have spent the equivalent of Little B’s weekly nursery fees over the course of the week. And we don’t have much to show for it, except a four-year-old who says she’d rather be at school and a depleted bank balance.
2. Washing. Both kids have worn a new set of clothes every day, and I’ve lost count of the number of loads of washing I’ve done. And the dratted basket is still bursting. There’s a lot to be said for school uniform, namely one set of clothes that’s worn all week with only the changing of socks and pants and the odd shirt (admittedly I do spend a lot of time sponging on week nights, another sign I’m turning into my mother).
3. Lunchtime and associated preparation, cleaning & wiping. I’d leave nurseries and schools to deal with this meal of the day 365 days of the year if I could. God I hate wiping.
4. It’s turned us into That Family. That Family who cause a commotion on immediate arrival somewhere (in this case a packed train carriage – ‘Mummy I need a POO. I can feel it trying to get out’ but two seconds later ‘don’t worry, it’s gone back in again’), continues to breach the peace the entire time they’re there and as soon as they’ve left peace is instantaneously restored. And I swore it wouldn’t happen to me.
5. Everyone gets on each other’s nerves. Misery Guts isn’t used to being at home so much, BB and Little B aren’t used to him being at home so much, and I’m not used to all three of them being at home so much. Tempers were fraying by Wednesday, which actually I thought was quite good going.
Frankly, I can’t wait until Monday when normal service will resume. I’m going to do my best to avoid taking a ‘holiday’ during half term again – instead I could take my week off during term time when the others are at school, nursery and work.
Now that would be more like a holiday… How about you? Do you love or hate half term?
Linking up with…
LOL, loving your honesty hun. My little man did the poo trick in the middle of a sofa shop yesterday and then nearly got us kicked out by playing with an electric recliner. The joys of being a parent. x
Oh no how embarrassing! Rather you than me!
I was only saying to the husband last night that I am exhausted! The big one full time is full on. I normally get a break when the little one is having a nap, and you know quiet time to finish an actual thought in my head. When the big one is home I literally do not get a minute to myself. Love that kid, but man he can talk! Thanks for linking up to #FridayFrolics
I’ve got quite used to having just Little B at home in the day which is why half term was quite a shock!
Oh it is all true, especially the amount of money you spend! In Jersey they seem to put up the admission costs over the school holidays, the cheek of that. We have now also run out of things to do! So pj day it is!! #thelist
That sounds like a good idea – I might take a leaf out of your book next holidays!
Oh God…half term is something I already dread, and our baby hasn’t even been born yet! Fingers crossed something improves in the next three years before my little one starts school
Don’t worry about it – you’ve got so many hurdles to overcome first!!
#FridayFrolics!
I currently hate all the school holidays because I have little ones who are not school age, and school holidays is when everything we try to do is packed with big kids! Also, both of mine have birthdays that fall in school holidays, so anything we want to do for birthdays carries a real risk of day long queues & our little birthday toddler being trampled! Irritating! But, yes, I can imagine even when the kids are in school holidays might be a bit stressful. It’s probably like when you’re a stay at home parent & your partner has some leave. Obviously there are nice things about it, but there is also the fact that he is generating four times the usual amount of mess and work and routine has gone out of the window! #fridayfrolics
Both mine have birthdays in the school holidays too – bad planning there!
It is! But on the other hand, entirely accidentally, I have managed to space them so the two birthdays plus Christmas are exactly evenly spaced at 4 month intervals. I’m quite proud of that! #ftmob
Very organised!!
I am right there with ya! Here in the States, they call this week Winter break. They get another one in April, called Spring break. When I was a kid Winter break was referred to as Christmas break. We didn’t get a week off in February. I don’t understand why they have a week off now. Anyway, I was all set to have my kids home. I made plans to do stuff with them but my teenager decided he wanted to spend the week at his grandparents, and it was below freezing temperatures for half the week and the car wouldn’t start so I had a very bored 9 year old in the house that I had to constantly entertain. It’s a wonder I got any blogging done this week, LOL! I can’t wait for Monday either! #effitfriday
Being housebound sounds like a nightmare!! Hope you survived…
Hah hah! I always love the thought of having both mine at home in half term but when it gets to about Wednesday I’m pulling my hair out! It’s the arguments that tip me over the edge and then I end up joining in like a screaming fishwife. We had a lovely day out swimming today until it was time to get out and dressed and then it all went horribly wrong so I can identify completely with number 4! #TheList. x
I’d say we had one really nice day at the beginning of the week but the rest was a chore…
Haha! We’re not near this stage yet but I got stuck in a Peppa Pig show traffic jam with a screaming baby so I hate half term too! #FridayFrolics
There’s nothing worse than being stuck in a car with a screaming baby..poor you!
I am totally planning a term time holiday. Three blissful days off work while everyone else is out at work or at school, Can you imagine? Ahhhhh, and relax 🙂
I am definitely going to do this too knowing what I know now!!
I like half term but appear to be in the minority. I find meals fairly easy although must admit the binkering can be wine inducingly annoying. I’ve been lucky & had 2 park days money spent was £3 on parking. #thelist Lifeinthemumslane
You should write a post on half term on a budget!
Ha! This really made me smile, as we’ve been having one of those weeks too!
I’m so glad it’s over now!
I love half term-sorry! I’m a teacher so I was literally counting the days until it arrived. It’s the only time I get to spend with my little one. I am vaguely aware that everything is busier and more expensive-we went to the zoo and it was packed-but I know no different! #fridayfrolics
I bet you were!! Hope you had a good onex
Hmmm I think I’m going to struggle as it is just coping with entertaining my daughter for a full week and yes making meals and cleaning! Unfortunately, I reckon I’ll end up using most of my annual leave for school hols at some point too! LOL xx #justanotherlinky
That’s the other thing – you’re forced to use up your own holiday without getting a holiday at all!!
Ah I haven’t had the joys of half-term yet but do miss the quiet days in the week when it’s usually just pre-schoolers out everywhere. I relate to the washing, it never stops throughout the year! Polly #thelist
Well brace yourself because the washing will get worse at half term!!
This made me laugh! That is exactly what half terms are like, I swear you need another week off to get over it! And by the time you have arranged to see family and friends on most days, the week is over before you know it anyway – just wait until they start getting homework projects to fit into that week too!! #justanotherlinky xx
Oh no – I hadn’t thought of projects!
I actually love half term but that is because i work in a school so this is my holiday too! I have lazy mornings where i get to eat biscuits and drink hot tea yay! Yes my kids argue, i try not to think of this part though lol. Oh i avoid trains at all costs! #picknmix
All the teachers are saying they love half term! I don’t blame you either!
It gets easier when they’re bigger in someways as they can entertain themselves. But they do make more mess …!
I don’t want to wish the time away but I will be glad when they can look after themselves!
Haha, love your description of ‘that’ family, such an accurate description of the feeling of instantaneous peace when they leave – I know some families like that! And the poo on the train scenario – classic comedy! I hope the rest of your half term week improved?!
Let’s just say I’m glad it’s Monday and back to school today!
LOL the poo going back in is hilarious. Ya – there can be some embarrassing moments out with the kids for sure! Teaching them to whisper things about poo or willies is a futile practice. Still I love half term, I prefer having the kids at home. Our school only had thursday & friday off. The disaster for us is that we are passing the flu around to each other for the past two weeks. Today it seems that I am going down with it. So it hasn’t been an exciting half term for us! #justanotherlinky
Oh no – I hope you’re starting to feel better! We seem to have had the lurgy for weeks too…
I feel this although I’m quite lucky! We spent the first half of the “holiday” in Disneyland Paris, my daughter was then with her dad until Saturday morning and yesterday and today shes got Birthday Parties which I’ve not had to pay a fortune for. As much as I dislike the 2 hour daily walk to and from school, I miss my five hours of peace!
The sooner everything gets back to normal in our house the better!
The poo comment made me chuckle. I love half term….but I’m a teacher! ☺️ #sundaystars
I’d love it if I were a teacher too!
My little one’s aren’t at school yet but we still end up spending so much money in the holidays anyway! I think we feel we need to do lots of exciting things because all the other kids are haha. #fartglitter
Yes there’s certainly an element of ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ about it!!
As a teacher I obviously loved half term holidays. It was time to relax for more than one day, time to catch up on paperwork, time to socialise.
Now, as a SAHM to a toddler I dislike half terms. Everywhere is busy. The malls, the pools, the farm, all the places we usually go during the week. I avoid them until we get them back to ourselves again.
#fartglitter
Hats off to you – I don’t know how teachers do it!! I wouldn’t be BB’s teacher for all the tea in China!!
Our tot is sooooo bored when he’s not at nursery with all his little buddies. We just had a long weekend and bits were tough. All was expensive. In April I have 3 weeks off and his nursery closes for one. A better mama might organize some great learning and bonding opportunities for those extra two weeks and pull him out of nursery. Instead I’m skipping around punching the air and dreaming of midday naps and time by our pool with a book.
#fartglitter
I’d do exactly the same if I were you! So lucky to have a pool!x
This sounds just like our family. It takes until lunchtime on Day 1 for the boys to have a massive falling out and someone to get hurt, this then continues everyday if they’re stuck inside. It’s finding things to do that don’t cost the earth. #fartglitter
Tell me about it! I’m getting a pack of balloons (see #MySundayPhoto!)
Oh dear, sounds like you’ve had a long, hard week. I do know what you mean and I do agree on some points but I must admit I love the school holidays and not having to get up early and do the dreaded school run! It was back to normal this morning with a hideous damp school drop off… yuck! Thank you so much for linking up to #SundayStars xx
We had a rainy school run too! I enjoyed getting up a little later too but to be honest I’m glad it’s now business as usual!!
I was so looking forward to half term and the hope that at some point I might get a lie in, given that my kids cant get out of bed for nursery/school each morning. But nope, up at 6am every morning without fail and it has rained all week to add to our cabin fever! I am knackered and was super excited to get back to normal today!! #justanotherlinky
Me too – I felt exactly the same! There’s a lot to be said for routine!
Adore your honesty! Usually all I see are FB posts saying how much everyone is loving spending extra time with their little angels lol.
T isn’t in school yet but I can easily imagine why it’s so stressful. I hate half term myself even with a toddler because it means his groups aren’t on and any of our usual haunts (soft play, park etc) are rammed.
Hope you have enjoyed some peace today x #sundaystars
The funny thing is I don’t remember being particularly aware of term time before BB went to school! Today was much better thank you!x
Haha what a great honest post. Our half term wasn’t too bad! so I am counting myself lucky!
Thanks for linking up to #justanotherlinky
Yes very lucky!!
I didnt mind the first week, but now we have chicken pox so the holidays have been extended, Ive resorted to Minecraft and chocolate sandwichs… I know, excellent parenting 😉
You can’t beat a chocolate sandwich. I mean’hazelnut spread’..!
Oh I’m with you on all of these, with the added bonus that I don’t know what day of the week it is.
Great post #ftmob
I was counting down the days!!
“I can feel it trying to get out!” HAHAHHA! I have mixed feelings about half term. I have two school aged kids and one preschooler so half term is a bit of a kid-explosion and it can be quite tiring keeping them all entertained. And if (when) they start bickering it’s knackering! On the other hand – NO SCHOOL RUN! Plus now they’re a little bit older (8, 6 and just turned 3) they’re better at entertaining themselves so some days we just loaf around – ahhhh, lovely! #ftmob
Sounds like there’s pros & cons in your house…and a nice age mix!
Half-term is definitely not a holiday as far as parents are concerned! I quite like half-term but I have to confess to a sense of relief at returning to normal routine too. I’ve yet to have the experience of a child loudly announcing that they can feel a poo coming out (and then going back in again) on a packed train but I’m sure I have it to look forward to (or something similar at least!) Hope you managed to survive it all though and thank you for linking up to #ftmob 🙂
I’ve been glad to get back to normal this week I have to say!
Oh I am sorry I have to confess I rather like the school holidays and having extra time with my little man. Doing fun things and going on adventures. Although there is the washing pile I will agree with that. Mine is at pre-school not yet at school but we still seem to go through more clothes in the holidays #picknmix
It was great having extra time together and doing nice things BUT I found it hard to see beyond the extra chores…
I would normally agree with you but this half term I was ill so I was thankful not to do the school run! Thanks for linking up to #justanotherlinky xx
Oh no! Hope you’re feeling better now…
Oh haha I can vividly remember my now 8 year old saying those exact words in a packed restaurant before, oh the shame. Thanks for linking to #PickNMix x
It happens to me so often now I’m learning to live with it!!
I am CRYING – don’t worry mummy it’s gone back in again. Absolutely crying!!! Half term week has been hair raising, I’m not used to having both of them all of the time so the lovely mornings I have just me and the Baby were crashed by a shouting big brother demanding attention! Thanks for linking up and still crying…..
Hope you’re crying with laughter! I’m not used to having both home in the day either – it really does make a difference…