That’s what we are doing this week. Nothing. Yes nothing.
We had no plans, nothing that we had to do, no big journeys in the car. No days out. Nothing. Nada. Rien.
We love school holidays, not only because it is quality family time, but because after a busy term or half term, it is nice to have a break. But we do have a tendency to fill them. Days out, appointments, visits, play dates. It is amazing how quickly a ‘holiday’ can be filled and there have been times when the weekly schedule of activities can seem more daunting than a week at work and school.
Not this week.
We have had a very long half term and so much has happened that I was determined that this week was going to be a break. I deliberately avoided making the usual plan, preferring instead to take each day as it comes and if we feel like doing something, we will. If not, a few chilled out pyjama days sound like heaven to me.
Sunday night I felt guilty. Should I get myself organised? Would it be better to plan a few activities for the week? Was I being unfair on the children by not giving them things to talk about when they go back to school?
I told myself that I was being ridiculous and the rather tired husband fortunately agreed.
So why do we feel this need to keep our children constantly entertained? Is there really any need to spend huge amounts of time and money dragging them to different activities?
We do seem to be a generation of parents that overstimulate our children from birth. We surround them with toys and we feel the need to constantly entertain them. Do we actually play with them though? Do we give them enough time to chill out and relax? Is it so wrong to spend a week together just relaxing rather than running around from one thing to another?
I don’t think so. So the children won’t have anything exciting to answer the ‘what did you do over the holidays question’ but they will be able to go back to school relaxed and refreshed and I am pretty sure that if you asked them if they had a good week, the answer would be yes.
We have played some board games, we have watched a bit too much television and a couple of nice films. There has been reading, chilling, talking and tickling. There have been computer games (of course) and balloon games and Lego building and I haven’t heard anyone say that they are bored.
Maybe we will have to try this ‘doing nothing’ again some time?
We usually do nothing in the holidays! I don’t have the confidence to take the kids out on my own, so the most I usually do is go to the cinema. The kids are happy at home and as long as we get out in the fresh air a bit, so am I.
Sarah MumofThree World recently posted…A house of two halves
We’ve done a bit of this and that but didn’t have anything major planned. Has been one of the best school holidays we’ve had! Really don’t want them to go back now 🙁 glad you’ve been having quality time together too x
Stephs Two Girls recently posted…Siblings {February} and a Purple Party
Sometimes I think we are all in danger of overplanning and this week has shown me that going with the flow can be a good thing too
Doing nothing is the best! As one of five kids we didn’t “do” much when we were growing up, except playing at home, with each other, or with our friends. I have such happy memories of playing Famous Five, or putting on plays, or making dens.
Franglaise Mummy recently posted…Franglaise Mummy does food too
That is good to know and I loved the Famous Five too! I do think that sometimes by backing off and giving them some time to themselves, you do help to inspire their imaginations
The pressure is relentless I sometimes think, with people from all sides telling you everything you should be doing with your kids when sometimes, as you have found out – you just need to chill and spend some time doing “ordinary things”! Sounds like a really god half term and I may well copy you when my boys finally break up in a week.
Rosie @Eco-Gites of Lenault recently posted…How did Tom do? (Part one)
It is pressure you’re right and I know that the kids will go back to school on Monday completely relaxed and raring to go (hopefully)
We’re the opposite – we usually spend the holidays doing ‘nothing’ but this time we were very busy and ended up not doing some of the things we said we would. As a consequence my boys are very tired and glad to be back at school… for the rest! I think we’ll be going back to the ‘nothing’ plan, it’s much more pleasant. Hope you had a great time.
Morgan Prince recently posted…40th Birthday & A Proud Mummy
We did have a lovely time until the kids all went down with a virus! Still we did have a restful week which was lovely
I really loved reading this post. My son was away on holiday with his dad for the week. He is unfortunately starting the new half term very tired and it’s a catch up this week sleep wise. But normally I like half terms to be nice and relaxed with very little planned so that it’s a recharge week. I’m the same in the evenings. My son sometimes stays at school until 5 to do homework club or art club but apart from that evenings are for chilling and enjoying unwinding. I’m not into the mega organized fill every moment with structure life.
Wendy Tomlinson recently posted…Law of attraction parenting course and more
No I agree completely, I often wonder how some families manage to do it as I find that the school day and clubs exhaust my kids and they really need that time in the evenings, weekends and holidays to unwind a bit.