To the mum this summer

To the mum this summer who's scratching her head no not for nits this time but for what to do next, its only the first week of the summer holidays, the kids are already bored out of their brains. They whinge that they are hungry every 5 seconds, offer them a piece of fruit and then suddenly their tummy feels funny. They watch boring YouTube videos, like unboxing toys, and god forbid you hear that dreaded noise, baby shark again its plastered all over your screen, as you think to yourself where else haven't we been. They get all the toys out and make a complete mess, you ask them to tidy up and they get in a stress, you say no more Ipad and they throw a strop, so you bribe them with sweets from the local shop. You go to the park a 100 times a day and you battle with suncream and every time they say "I don't need suncream" the battle goes on, by the time you've done arguing the sun will be gone. They beg you to ride their scooter or bike, you say no as you'll end up carrying it isn't that right? No I promise this time I will ride it all the way there and sure enough your not even a third of the way there when they start to say that dreaded word mum, I don't want my scooter anymore its not fun. Fine then I guess it will stay there, okay they say without a care and you pick up the flipping scooter and start to walk on, as your child skips along singing the dreaded song. They walk down the road to the park they go, complaining their legs hurt and they want to go home, then they see the ice cream man and suddenly smile and you think maybe if you buy them one they'll be quiet just for a little while. You get to the park and they run off, you sit on a bench and think yes thats it off you trot, then 5 seconds later they're back at your side, watch this mum I can climb up the slide, yes well done you say as you watch them climb, you've seen them do it before and its no different this time. You think about the many days ahead you have left, you think how the hell am I going to cope, is it time for bed? You contemplate taking up drinking in the day, a glass a wine in the morning never hurt anyone hey?  You scroll through your phone for 5 minutes peace looking at everyones fabulous holiday pics, you start to feel blue at your boring life, how people are jetting off and your child's out on his bike, riding to the park for the second time today, there's got to be a better way, to spend the summer holidays, to give them some fun in their life for a while. But what you don't realise is your not alone, there are plenty of mums who aren't even at home, with their little ones this summer holidays, working all hours you see, so while your at home watching Paw Patrol again spare a thought for the mum who's out working all godsends just to make ends meet. Everyone may plaster all over social media how great the summer holidays are and they can't wait for their holiday in Ibiza. But behind every post is a stressed out mum, whos worn out from all the time in sun, she is knackered and tired from the constant shouting like get down from the side, and don't jump on the couch please. She's picked up endless toys and wiped several mouths, she tided every single inch of the house. The summer holidays are not as glorious as people make it out to be most of don't even get time for wee, but its only six weeks and it won't last long, soon it'll be back to school and no more of that dreaded song, but you'll miss them so much when they do go back, but i'm sorry to say there are no parent hacks, to cure the summer boredom thats a fact. Just enjoy the time that you have left with your little ones, they won't be small forever and soon they'll be gone, to university or have a house of their own, they won't be there constantly asking for your phone, so take it all in while you still have the time, if you ever feel lost then there's always the park one more time. Whether you go to Butlin's, Hawaii, the park, the library or stay at home, messy play, tv time or out in the garden you go, your children won't care whatever you do they will just be grateful that they get to spend time with you.