Kate Says Stuff is all about life with four fabulous children and a Supertrucker husband. Kate writes of family life, recipes and household organisation along with regular product reviews and giveaways. She is also a founding blogger at Autism: In Our Own Words sharing the trials and tribulations of having two children on the autism spectrum.
Why do school holidays suck for so many parents?
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Every school term around this stage I start seeing and hearing people complaining about the upcoming school holidays.
I will be frank. I am exhausted. It has felt like a very long term and the past month or so have been extra challenging with my spectrum boys, so I fully understand that feeling of overwhelm and extreme tiredness.
What I don’t understand, and what makes me feel a bit sad, is the parade of reasons that the school holidays suck for parents.
I am by nature a lazy person. I could not be more excited at the thought of not making school lunches for a couple of weeks. The idea of not even getting dressed some days appeals greatly too. But more than that I am looking forward to spending some extra time with my kids!
Do not get me wrong. My children are far far FAR from angelic. They challenge me in ways I could never have imagined. In point of fact I don’t think I ever felt anger and frustration the like of which I do as a parent, prior to having kids. I’ve not doubt we will get narky with each other, and there will be fighting and name calling and muttered curses. Probably from the children as well.
But this extra time with them… it feels like a gift even with the occasional aggro that goes with it. They are growing up so very fast. In no time at all, hanging out with me will be like the least cool thing ever invented. I feel like I need to soak in these days in all their joy AND sorrow and hold fast to the memories as best I can.
When my big two were my only two, I could not have envisioned the life we live now. In ten years I’m sure I will look back in wonder at where we are today. It seems such a shame to wish it away, even on the days where I struggle to retain equilibrium and there is not enough caffeine in the world to perk me up. Maybe even especially on those days, because that’s what life is. An endless balancing act.
Do you love or loathe the school holidays?
