Friday 29 August 2014

I'm a Survivor!!

As the long summer holidays draw to a close - are you relieved? Sad? Or a little of both?

There is a little-voiced secret amongst Mum's around this time of year.... they are at least a little relieved that August is drawing to a close.
Really.
If asked, most will admit to being sad the long summer break is nearly over, but few will ALSO admit that with that sadness comes a liberal dose of relief. A very liberal dose.

Working Mum's often find it traumatic juggling school holidays whether in full time or part time work, and full time mums - despite loving their children dearly find many successive weeks all together draining both emotionally, physically and financially!

Each year I look forward to a couple of months with less racing around, spending a little more time just "being" and less time "doing". Relaxing and enjoying time with those I love. But it never quite works out like that!

Firstly my fabulous four don't actually enjoy each other's company very much.... they would far rather exist as separate children and claim they would probably rather have been only children! All are delightful on their own but I find I take on the role of UN Peace Negotiator for the entire duration of the summer as we vainly struggle to find activities that four very different children can all enjoy.


Except it's unpaid work and continues well after the witching hour rush hour. And without perks or lunch - or even the chance to grab a quiet coffee!

Second, and perhaps more importantly, they all prefer being in school with the routines and activity, to being at home! (Yes, really!!)

As I wrote on one of my other Blogs recently (for children) Summer Holidays are an anachronistic anomaly. Our children are not required to pick hops, thresh the wheat or help with stubble clearing. No, they are far more likely to be found in front of a games console, maybe a piano, or with a vast box of loom bands than helping out with even the most meal chores at home.

The long summer break was never intended as a prolonged time of doing nothing for kids, it was built in to the school year to avoid the considerable absenteeism that would otherwise occur as parents needed their children as additional labour, and meant that families were more supportive of the compulsory schooling Gladstone and his government were seeking to enforce.

Doing "nothing" isn't good for anybody, and the continued week after week pressure to find "something" to do is exhausting and expensive. There is a limit to the number of free activities available, and the length of time to be filled necessitates a large variety. But more importantly, my children miss the social side of school, the mental activity and the routine. My daughter has been asking "how long is left?" since the beginning of August!

For those of you with those mythical easy going, chilled out children who enjoy nothing more than relaxing with family I suppress my envy am thrilled for you and hope you have enjoyed a perfect summer break. But next week cannot come soon enough for us!

Having had one son at home since April on Study Leave then long post-exam leave it seems the normality of the school routine is but a whimsical dream from yesteryear - a reality I look forward to reliving soon. And when the start of term routine (finally) rolls around, I most certainly WILL be singing "I'm  a Survivor" very loudly after drop off, but the people most chuffed to be back will be these:-




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20 comments:

  1. We've not yet had school holidays, as N's not yet in school, and I'm working full time. But being on a farm, the older newphews love it as they can help out with harvest and the animals. The younger cousins can also tag along sometimes, but with children being keen to be on the farm drives me insane as it means less time for us to go out and explore places...although hopefully will mean less summer holiday childcare required! #pocolo

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  2. My daughters finished their first year at uni in June!!! And I know this is going to sound dreadful, but I am so looking forward ot some peace and quiet when they return mid-September! I know that I will miss them both dreadfully after they've gone, but right now I feel as though I'm going completely mad!

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  3. Love that last picture... We have been back at school for 2 weeks now and it's so nice to get our routine back, as much as we had fun! :D

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  4. Love the last photo, butter wouldn't melt and all that ;) x

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  5. The flags are ready to be flown on Wednesday morning. Need I say more?

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  6. This summer has gone far too quick, despite not being able to do much at all because of waiting for Star's final operation. I thought I'd be really looking forward to the Little Man going to school full time for the first time, but in reality I know I'm going to miss his constant pestering me all day long.

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  7. we're looking forward to school starting again - but mainly because it means all our favourite places will be quieter again. We home educate, so when the schools go back we get back to normality a bit more too with less crowded places.

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  8. The school holidays have flown by - but yes we had a lot planned to do. I am not looking forward to the rushing about an extra workload of school.

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  9. I love the school holidays, not because I have children, but because I can get a seat on the tube :o)

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  10. Well done for surviving! It must be difficult that they don't enjoy each others company x

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  11. We have done quite a bit this summer and it has flown by....but part of me is looking forward to the routine that will start again next week

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  12. I have to agree with you! Although the first few weeks were fine - the last two or three weeks have been awful. The Little A's have been fighting constantly and my son has been pretty horrible! He is so ready to get back to school and I for one will be extremely relieved when Thursday rolls around and we can get back to normality!

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  13. I love having my two at home but I also crave a bit of routine and I find that impossible to have that when they're off school.

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  14. I find this week really bittersweet. I love spending time with my boys, but I crave the peace and quiet!

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  15. I have loved the summer hollidays and really enjoyed us all being together...but there is a part of me that will enjoy the calm and the routine of school returning!

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  16. Haha well done on surviving the summer! I hope the new school year goes amazingly. x

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  17. I normally dread the summer holidays but have loved them this year and am actually sad to see them go to school on Wednesday as we have had such fun

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  18. That has made me smile. And I have only one preschooler to contend with!

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  19. I love this post and it's honesty. So thank you for that. EVeryone keeps writing how sad they are and I am sure I will feel a litlte empty nest when Buba starts next year but in all honesty being home 24/7 and trying to be entertaining to all all the time is exhausting, emotionally, physically and definitely financially indeed! You couldn't have said it better. I watch my bbf who is a single mother struggle hard during those months too taking time off work or finding someone to watch them for her. I can't imagine in the states where I am from that we get three whole months off at least its a few weeks here. Those poor parents. hahaha I know it can be so much fun having yoru kids home during the holidays but its good for balance right? lol Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me I hope to see you again tomorrow for another great round! #sharewithme

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  20. You took me back a few years with this post, and had me revisiting all those mixed emotions that summer brings. I've really enjoyed visiting your blog, and reading your wonderfully written ideas!

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Many thanks for taking the time to comment, I really value your responses.

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