Depending on where you are in the world this could have been the longest 6 or 8 weeks ever, or maybe it swished past and you can't wait for it to come round again. Trying to plan how the kids will spend this long vacation without eating you out of house and home, and getting a good balance where they enjoy having a deserved break from school but remain useful to themselves and you can be tricky to figure out.
How many, "I'm so bored"s have you heard as a long drawn out groan from your precious little ones? As I write this my count to date is 17. This is the new fun game I invented last year where I'm keeping score to see how many times my kids utter this highly irritating phrase. Last year's record was 22 so I think this year will be a winner. Mind you, I didn't start the count last year from the beginning l If YOU'RE bored you can play along too.
Who had to make last minute childcare arrangements either because you've been so busy that the holidays suddenly crept up on you, or you made what you thought were solid plans only to have them completely fall apart, with just days to go? This has happened to me twice in a row, I started to wonder what kind of bad luck was following me.
Did you send the kids to holiday camp or holiday club? Was it by choice because you wanted them to do something different or learn a new skill, or you were tired of the "I'm bored" chorus? Or was it for necessity because you had to go to work and couldn't get time off, or the benefit of trusted childcare at home?
How many have had the pleasure and opportunity to go away to a different town, different country on a great family vacation that you just know the kids had so much fun, (and you did at least a little bit too), that you'll all talk about with laughter and happy tears streaming down your face in years to come?
Or better yet, who was lucky enough to have parents, siblings or cousins who willingly took the kids off your hands for a few days or couple of weeks so you could rest? Aaah I'm still dreaming of the day. So family if you're reading this I'm waiting for your kind offer. Please send your application at the end of this post. I'm just joking..... (not really, please apply).
If you were on the receiving end and had nieces and nephews descend on your house, how did you cope? Are you still in one piece? Congratulations, and please accept my e-hug. It is not easy.
So many different scenarios, same places and routines, new adventures and lessons learnt. Whatever you were doing and wherever you are I hope that this year's summer holidays went better than you expected or planned.
Let us know how your summer holiday went. The good, the bad and the ugly.