I had a little bit of a panic this morning.
I was doing my work planning for the next few weeks, and despite the fact that it feels like I’ve only just finished picking pine needles out of the carpet and wondering what to do with seven bags full of used wrapping paper, there are only two full weeks to go until half term.
Two frickin’ weeks!
*has another mild panic*
Seriously, when are this Government going to wise up to the plight of working parents and start opening schools all year round? It would make perfect sense. Everyone’s always complaining about teachers having long holidays.
While I wait for national policy change however, I need a plan. A plan that will incorporate forty hours of work with an equal amount of time spent doing tedious things like crabbing and making models out of lollipop sticks or whatever it is that young people like to do nowadays.
What I could really do with, is just taking myself off somewhere nice and quiet and cheap for a couple of days, but are affordable weekend breaks even a thing any more? Petrol is so expensive that you’ve spent a fortune before you even get there, and going on holiday in the next town is hardly a break is it?
February half-term is basically the worst of the half-terms too. It’s cold and wet and everyone is still vaguely depressed at having spent all that money on Christmas presents that nobody plays with anymore, and there just isn’t a lot to do. The summer holidays and Easter aren’t so bad – I’m planning on sending Belle on at least one more summer camp this year – but they don’t tend to run during February. I did find one through a quick google search, but the week it was offering isn’t even our half term week. That’s not very helpful is it??
I am ranting now.
I am tired, and a bit hungry, and it’s putting me in a grump.
I’m going to cheer up now, I promise.
So, where were we? Oh yes, half term. Who doesn’t love half term? A chance to spend quality time with your children, getting stuck into baking and den building and what not.
I think perhaps I am just lacking in imagination. Do you have any suggestions for a family break in the February half term? It doesn’t have to be a whole week away or anything, or even a night – it could just be somewhere unusual to go or interesting to do that will take me away from the worry of work and allow us to spend some time together doing something we will all enjoy.
How about Jersey Jo? It’s a very short plane ride and on the one hand there’s plenty of history, on the other there’s play centres etc. Added attraction of a castle that gets completely surrounded by water too (Elizabeth Castle), we got married on the island, it’s lovely :)
I’m packing my 3 in my car and taking them to visit my sister and her family. Break from routine with cousins to be with + cups of coffee and tea with big sis for me. Perfect
ha ha you make me laugh! In USA schools have three months of vacation in the summer. Yes I said three months. I suppose it is because it is too hot to teach the kids. Plus about five lots of a week holidays throughout the year. So count yourself lucky!!
Could you imagine how much whingeing the teachers would make with year round schooling? Let’s face it they all reckon they’re overworked now!
When I am completely stressed and need a fun time with my little ones I take them to a fun day at the cinema – we also have a place there that’s called “Laser Tag” (the thingy they play at the show How I Met Your Mother) and I love it! It is like paintball but with lasers :D I know, I should probably not teach my kids violence is fun but it does help with blowing off some steam!
Pretty sure some of the PGL family active camps are running, great fun me and the kids have been the has couple of years and we all love them.
This is the second picture of a rainbow cake I’ve seen this morning – the stars are obviously aligning and telling me to Make A Rainbow Cake. Or Eat A Rainbow Cake maybe…