I am a mother of ungrateful boys who fight – they can play in their pants all summer long

MOST parents in the UK are only into the second week of the six-week summer holidays, but many Facebook mums are expressing their dismay at the six-week hell and lamenting the time children had to spend being bored.

A mother’s fear of keeping her children home recently sparked a heated debate in the Facebook group for families called Family Lowdown Tips & Tricks.

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“I can’t be the only parent who’s afraid of the next one “6 weeks?” she began.

“I’ve been so worried all day… My boys do nothing but fight.”

She said she worried every day about what to do with her children and called her sons “ungrateful.”

“I can’t do anything with them every day. Not even when I take them out.

“They fight and are so ungrateful. I can’t be the only one?!”

But while some parents were quick to condemn her, others defended her by sympathizing with her and saying they had faced similar problems with their children.

Someone wrote: “I have six boys, I understand your pain, but I don’t put pressure on myself.

“I just go with every day [and making] no plans at all. If they want to sit in their pants all day long Xbox they can.”

And the traumatized mother called her “a hero” for being so honest.

“No, you’re not the only one. Nothing makes me realize how much more teachers deserve to be paid more than keeping my children at home for an extended period of time,” said a second.

“Mine hate being out of routine. It’s a nightmare, especially the first 2 weeks,” said someone else.

“We have days out and do lots of activities, but 6 weeks, or actually 6 and a half weeks, is a veeeeery long time!” wrote a fourth.

“Nothing can stop them, sometimes I find it scary to take them outside. You are not alone, I think all boy mothers feel your pain!”, another expressed his sympathy.

Some among the supporters also saw it as an opportunity for complacency:

“I can’t wait. We have one child and she behaves like she should in public. I love spending time with her when she’s on vacation.”

Other mothers gave advice, such as, “Are there any holiday clubs they can go to? Football, tennis etc?

Mine hate being out of routine it’s a nightmare especially the first 2 weeks

“I’m not sure where you are, but the councils free sessions are usually held here schools etc. where you can drop off and simply pick up [them] bee [the] end of the day.”

She’s not the only one having trouble this summer, as another mom shared her frustrations about her teens not going to school.

She wrote in a lengthy social media post that her 14-year-old daughter had yelled at her because her phone wouldn’t charge when she came in.

“My two teenagers slipped in through the door and left muddy footprints in the freshly mopped hallway (they refuse to take their shoes off, despite me begging them to do so every day for the past 10 years).

How to Survive Six Weeks of Summer Vacation

IF you’re struggling with the six-week summer vacation, you’ve come to the right place…

AGAINST BOREDOM: Despite hours of activities and playdates, if your kids are already complaining that there’s nothing to do, parenting expert Liat Hughes Joshi says, “You don’t have to plan every second of the holiday. Kids benefit from boredom and learn to make their own fun.

“Boredom can stimulate creative and imaginative play, but you need to encourage children to get used to not being told how to spend their time.

“Away with the pleas of boredom. Respond with comments like, ‘What do you think you could do?’ and maybe put a list of ‘I’m bored’ activity ideas on the fridge.”

SCREEN OVERLOAD: It’s tempting to hire a digital sitter during the holidays, but don’t leave them staring at a screen all summer.

Liat says: “It’s unfair to expect older children to withdraw, but it’s important to set some ground rules.

“Create rules together for technology in the family. If you find yourself getting distracted by your phone, follow the rules. Maybe tell your kids that they can’t have screen time until they’ve done chores, done some sports, or played a board game.

“Are there times when you want to ban screens altogether? Maybe during dinner or when they have friends over.

“Technology is a battlefield for parents, but you have to set boundaries. Be firm and prepare to be unpopular.”

TOO MUCH COHERENCE: You love your kids, but being with them 24/7 can be exhausting. Don’t feel guilty if you need some downtime.

Liat says: “When you’re juggling work, household chores and the kids, it’s normal to start feeling overwhelmed or exhausted and in need of some rest.

“If you can’t afford or don’t want your kids to go to day camp, see if there are free workshops for kids so you can keep doing your work or take a break for a few hours.

“Taking a moment of peace and quiet every now and then doesn’t make you a bad parent. In fact, it probably makes you more positive and enthusiastic when you’re with your kids.”

CONFLICT OVER PLANNING: During the holidays, your schedule can get messed up, but if you go to bed late or wake up early, your kids are often tired and unhappy.

Dr Tamara Bugembe, paediatrician and founder of Helperbees.co.uk says: “Children become grumpy, test boundaries and become defiant when routines are broken.

“It’s a good idea to maintain some sort of routine during the holidays.

“We release hormones at different times of the day and when our regular meal and bedtimes are disrupted, it causes mood swings.

“The holidays are all about having fun, but going to bed early once or twice a week makes everyone happier.”

EXCESS ENERGY: Make sure children get outside in the fresh air to tire them out, and to make them healthier and happier.

Dr Bugembe says: “Sunshine also replenishes essential vitamin D levels, which helps improve bone strength and energy levels in children. Our levels are low in winter, so get children stocking up in warmer weather.

“Letting them run around in shorts and a T-shirt is the best way to get them pumped up. Make sure they wear sunscreen, get outside and have fun.

“Encourage them to try healthy habits like biking and walking. Hopefully they’ll get hooked and want to continue when the weather gets colder.”

“Apparently it’s MY fault because I washed her power pack (she doesn’t bother to empty her jacket pockets before putting it in the washer despite me asking her 10 times to bring her laundry downstairs),” she wrote.

Her 15-year-old son also had trouble with the dinner and vegetables she had chosen and stormed off to his room to order pizza.

She added that they were getting an allowance every two weeks but were constantly asking for it money.

“They are spoiled brats that I never spoiled as a child.

“They both expect me to clean up after them, and if I catch them doing it, they just throw tantrums,” she said.