After two weeks off over Easter the kids go back to school and nursery this week. I canโt wait. Having been unable to take any time off over the school holidays apart from the Easter weekend itself Iโm so glad theyโre over.
Every single toy we own has been strewn over the living room floor day in, day out, the dirty laundry basket seems to have turned into Mary Poppinsโ magic bag and I shudder to think how much money weโve spent with absolutely nothing to show for it other than a few discarded CBeebies magazines.
Hereโs what Iโve discovered about school holidays so far:
1. Coming up with different lunch ideas each day is a nightmare. Thereโs a lot to be said for the free school meals BB gets until sheโs seven and the lunches they give Little B at nursery. By week two I resorted to stirring butter through pasta for tea. Which is fine, right?
2. You shell out money hand over fist. As well as the weekly food bill going up because of all the food theyโre eating thereโs the cost of all theย activities and days out to keep them occupied. I know people who actually put their kids inย to childcare during the holidays in order to save money.
3. Thereโs more washing to do. With the luxury of not needing to wear school uniform BB insisted on wearing a different outfit each day. Dresses with a top underneath and a cardigan, hand-wash only tutus, skirts and leggings โ the list goes on.
4. Working from home is a bad idea. We were lucky enough to have granny daycare for three days each week, and I naively thought we could โmake the best of itโ on the remaining two days. To say it was stressful is an understatement: Iโm surprised I didnโt have a nervous breakdown.
5. All the wine you have to drink. I was gasping by bath-time each night. I now understand those people who start right after the school run.
No doubt Iโll discover there are more things they fail to tell you about school holidays in due course, just likeย the things they fail to tell you about toddlers and things they don’t tell you about breastfeeding, but for now Iโm justย glad weโre getting back to normal this week.
How about you? Are you getting back to normal after the holidays this week? Or aren’t you there yet?
Linking up with…
School holidays are great but they have their draw backs, my fridge is constantly empty in the holidays how ever much I shop! #MarvMondays
Now the kids are back at nursery and school my fridge is miraculously full again. I didn’t realise quite how much they eat!!
Ha ha number 5 is so true! My wine bill has gone up so much since I had kids, let alone when I’ve got them on my own all day/week/holiday!
I don’t know how SAHM/home-schoolers do it, I really don’t. I’d be an alcoholic…
Me too! I’ve never drunk so much in my life as I have since becoming a mum!!
This made me giggle. We are still on our school holidays and I must admit I do love having my eldest with me for a couple of weeks and also I do not miss that school run! However we have gone through so much food and I have also discovered my eldest does not have many clothes that fit – enough to get her through the weekend but now two weeks!!!
I didn’t miss the school run either, so it was nice to get a break from that at least!
I am so glad the holidays are over, it seemed to be never ending!
I spent so much money on days out to keep them busy but it just wore me out.
Stirring butter into pasta is perfectly acceptable, my two are likely to eat that than the over priced sausage rolls I’ve been buying on days out!! #passthesauce
I didn’t realise how expensive lunches could be until we had kids! Mine just seem to want to eat and eat all the time too…
oh my goodness, I agree entirely with everything you’ve said. I said to one of the school mums at drop off that that was the best sight I had seen for 2 weeks as they ran into school. Bad mummy I know!! I love my babies but school is wonderful… I will never complain!:)
mainy
#passthesauce
The first day back was a breeze for me after the last two weeks – just one child at home and I managed to get all my work done!
We’re coming up to Passover. The kids’ schools are closed. Their usual snacks are not allowed. There are 2 VERY late Seders. There will be 3 extra children at my home to help me deal with my own 3. Television is our friend. Our best friend. #passthesauce
I honestly couldn’t survive without the TV. Thank goodness kids shows aren’t just on after lunch and for a few hours at 3 o’clock like they used to be!
I’m still on holiday till Monday but i like it because I’m a teacher and my son is only 22mo. The only thing I don’t like is that my son becomes more clingy because he’s used to having me around. #PassThe Sauce
Little B gets clingy after the holidays too – I should have added that one in to my list!
we only get a few days off for Easter, but next week starts a week long “spring vacation”. I feel terrible about how much I am already dreading it
Oh dear, that sounds ominous! Will be interested to hear how it goes!
I LOVE the school holidays. In fact I would go so far as to say I live for them, but then I am a teacher so it is the only time I get to see my own child! #PasstheSauce
If I were a teacher I’d probably say the same too! But as it is I see mine all the time, and then get to see them more while trying to work too. Arghhhh..!
Number 5. LOL! Straight after the school run. Honestly you see mums here at the local playground cafe guzzling wine BEFORE they’ve got them home! Sorry it was so stressful…I’ve got to say you’re making my case for staying in Malta for me! Because of the amazing weather I just stuck them on the beach with ice cream umpteen times during the hols. Job done. (There again you have loads to do in the UK and we don’t have much here to spend the money one). Thanks for joining #passthesauce
We’re very lucky that we live by the sea in one of the sunniest places in the UK, so I can stick them on the beach too during the summer. Perhaps I could set up a desk by the shore for the summer holidays…
So glad it’s not just me rejoicing when it’s the end for the holidays. I remember talking to one of the mums from school a while ago and saying how good it was they were back at school after a half term break. Her response was “no, I miss her when she’s at school”. Really??!!! 3.15 comes round far to quick for my liking no matter how much I love her!! #effitfridays
I’ve found it such a relief this week – things are so much easier with just Little B at home when he’s not at nursery!
Haha, this made me laugh. It is so expensive during the holidays. We are alright during the summer as we can just go to the beach but this Easter I was running out of money and things to do by the end of the first week – argh!!!! #thelist
We’ve got the beach in the summer too luckily, but better start saving for summer!
Love this post and soooooo spot on! No food in the cupboards – check, overflowing wash basket of dressing up clothes with lunch & dinner down them – check! And a happy smile to myself when walking away from the school gates on first day back as I’ll be able to see the floor in all the rooms again -check.
I’ve only just got to the bottom of our laundry basket…perhaps we should bring in a ‘home’ uniform to avoid so much washing in future!
This made me laugh. My son started a new preschool in January. Before this, his nursery carried on through school holidays so this was my first experience of an Easter Holiday where he was around me all the time. You’re especially right about forking out for a fortune! #thelist
Everyone I know has lamented how much money they spent this week – crazy isn’t it!
Haha, I had to laugh at number 5! And seriously, it’s taken me all this week to put back all the toys that pulled out of every single cupboard and toy box over the Easter holidays! x #TheList
I’m still finding toys where they shouldn’t be too. I did a ‘big clean’ today and it took so much longer than usual because of the mess they made during the holidays!
I can relate to this when the nursery is on holiday!! Trying to think of lunch ideas I find hard as well, I thought it was just me ha ha! #effitfridays
It’s not just you! I’m thinking of looking for a book specifically on lunches!!
Ha ha! Just wait until the things they fail to tell you about teens!! ๐
I am still enjoying my 16 month old who is cheap to entertain and geta very excited with a walk to the post box but having looked after my school age neice and nephew HOW did you work from home with them there? I can only imagine the struggles and the need for ear plugs!! You are a brave woman ๐
Do you know I didn’t think about ear plugs – great idea! Dreading the teen stage!
Oh I hear you about the working from home with little ones, story of my life! I always struggle for lunch ideas, especially something the will ACTUALLY eat! Thanks for linking up to #TheList x
Try butter stirred through pasta – it works a treat for me!
Mine was off for THREE WEEKS and I was almost mental by the time he went back on Wednesday. We spent a fortune in activities and fuels trying to keep him and his little brother occupied! We did have lots of fun, but three weeks is a long time for small people to be out of routine when the weather is crap and money is tight! So glad it wasn’t just me who struggled! #KCACOLS
No it wasn’t just you. I almost went mental too..!
Sorry I have a nine month old and I’m blissfully unaware of what is to come! Keep the wine flowing! #KCACOLS
Wine solves all sorts of woes!
He he! Its funny because you look forward to having all that quality time with the little ones and as a family over the holidays, but then realise a couple of days in just how much hard work it is being together all day, every day! We havent quite got to school days and school holidays yet, but nursery has given us a good taste of it. Oh the fun to come ๐ Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays. Emily
I wouldn’t mind so much if I didn’t need to work at the same time and could have focussed just on them, but trying to do two things at once was virtually impossible!
This made me laugh, and my son isn’t even in school! I like to giggle at all the Facebook posts around the holidays from my fellow parents who are going through this exact thing! I remember how excited my mom used to get when we went back to school :p
Your time will come and you’ll be writing those Facebook posts before you know it!
OMG More washing – as if we don’t do enough as it is! And I bet it does end up costing a fortune!! Thanks for sharing chick xx #KCACOLS
I HATE washing, there’s always lots to do and never enough time!
Haha brilliant! Hope you’ve enjoyed them being back at school this week. My sister is always on the phone during the holidays saying ‘Let’s meet up, the kids are driving me mental.’ And I regret going ANYWHERE during school holidays as places that are usually relatively quiet when I go with the baby (park, restaurants, shops) have suddenly become overrun and loud and terrifying to navigate with a pushchair! Also, a handwash-only tutu sounds like a special kind of hell. #KCACOLS
I usually try to avoid buying hand-wash only anything as it simply languishes at the bottom of the laundry basket, however sometimes there’s no choice…
He he I wrote a very similar themed-post last week! I find the holidays EXHAUSTING. Big fan of free school dinners here too ๐ Fab post #KCACOLS
Exhausting is definitely the word – no wonder teachers need a week off!
It sounds like a busy time! i bet you’re glad they are back and everything is somewhat normal again ๐ thanks for sharing, i’ll remember these for when my time comes ๐ for now its the terrible twos coming! help!!!
Yes normality has resumed thank goodness. The terrible twos will soon be upon us too so I’m not looking forward to that either…
Great post! Holly has just turned 3 so only started nursery just after easter! so she no longer has a childminder. I dread to think what i will need to do now at the Holidays ๐
Lx
http://workingmumy.blogspot.com
#KCACOLS
You better put your thinking cap on!!
I only have a 10 week old, so have not got to the school holiday stage yet! Sounds like a very busy and tired week xx
#KCACOLS
Sorry – I don’t mean to put you off. You’ll love it. Honest…
I couldn’t get any blogging work done through he holidays, my concentration just went right through the door after listening to my 3 kids whinge and whine all day #KCACOLS
I found it so hard to concentrate too. All my blogging was done in the evenings…
This is so funny and I actually laughed out loud at the butter stirred through pasta – inspired. Really funny read #KCACOL
Don’t knock the butter stirred through pasta – they love it!
Back to school tomorrow!!! *air punch* #KCACOLS
I enjoyed every minute of the first week back!
YES!! The money thing is soooo true! My twelve year old doesn’t just want to hang out with his mates, they want to go to the cinema (ยฃ10) or the indoor skate park (ยฃ12) or bowling (ยฃ10) or one of the parents will take them to a theme park (ยฃ40) and it gets to a point where I feel like a cash dispenser and have to lay down the law!!! Saying that, it costs me a small fortune to take the younger three to soft play!! #KCACOLS
Soft play is ridiculously expensive, but I suppose it’s all that insurance. That said, I’m not looking forward to when mine are wanting to go to the cinema/bowling/skate park etcetera!
Despite the school run has been tough this last week getting my daughter back to school and everything back to normality has been great! #kcacols
Yes – I don’t mind the school run as long as everything’s getting back to normal!
I mostly love school holidays although the summer break can be tough!!! I love no school runs, staying in pj’s until 10 o’clock, no rushing. The drawback is the inevitable bickering and empty fridge. Kids eat a lot. #kcacols lifeinthemumslane
I had no IDEA how much kids could eat. I swear BB eats more than me in a day, and I’ve no idea where she puts it!!
The grocery bill alone is enough to make me dread every long school break! The nice part is the sleeping in and relaxing, until you realize they don’t really sleep in. #KCACOLS
I’m bracing myself for the summer food bill already and trying to work out ways we can cut down!
Mine are still pre-school age so I have this too come! We’re just getting back to normality after a week away, and whilst holiday was good, I look forward to getting some normality back
Ps via #KCACOLS
Thanks so much for popping by!x
It’s funny how much we thrive on routine isn’t it! I’m totally thrown when the routine goes out of the window for whatever reason!
I actually prefer the school holidays as I hate the school run and prefer having more freedom rather than structured days. I agree that it can be quite stressful though and definitely more expensive! #KCACOLS
I’m finding people either love term time or the holidays, but not both! Is there anyone out there who likes both?!
Oh yes… Although having said that our two weeks holiday wasn’t to bad as we spent most of it outdoors at the park. Haha mealtimes in out household are always stressful lol.xx #KCACOLS
Being outdoors does make a lot of difference – crumbs miraculously disappear and the kids instantly amuse themselves!
My wife works at a very full holiday club for some of these very reasons. #KCACOLS
I’m not surprised it’s full!!
The school holidays sound pretty stressful! Well done for surviving them and I bet you’re glad that they’re over and the kids are back in school. I’m not at this stage yet, as I only have a 8 month old but some of the points you make ring so true to may daily life being on maternity leave – Point 1 and 5 especially ๐ I don’t blame you for drinking all the wine, sometimes I would love a wine at 11am! I hope that you’ve recovered from the school break, and have all your washing nearly sorted ๐ Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday. Claire x
I’m almost at the bottom of the dirty laundry basket thank goodness – I need a holiday before the summer holidays kick in!
YES! The money went on everything because the big one was bored. The big one wanted to see his friends. I don’t want to eat this again. Ooh shopping, all gone within days….
And the thing about paying for carrier bags now is that the online shop comes without them, so the kids can see what I’ve ordered when it arrives and start pestering immediately!
haha this is so true before I’ve even finished breakfast I’m like wheres the wine lol. School holidays are chaos in this house and theres only the 2 of us #kcacols
I do find myself reaching for the wine earlier and earlier these days – I’m not sure where it will end!
[…] with ice creams, drinks and whatever else they’re begging you for I feel like I shell out money hand over fist as soon as the sun comes […]