There was a time… not too long ago, when I truly believed I had this parenting thing on lock.
Bedtime routines? Nailed.
Morning routine? Smashed!
Homework routine? Crushed.
Extracurricular activities? On it.
Healthy meals? Prepped.
I was the mum who breezed through term time like a well-oiled machine.
My son was full of energy, my daughter was a curious firecracker, and I thought, “How hard can the holidays be?”
Then summer hit.
And every day began with “Muuuuum, what are we doing today?” before I’d even opened both eyes, let alone had a sip of coffee.
Six weeks always felt like six years, and suddenly, I found myself negotiating with tiny humans like I was working for the United Nations with zero backup.
So here’s a little trip down memory lane, my Honest Holiday Bucket List from those early parenting years: the dreams vs. the absolute reality… and the tricks I used to survive with my sense of humour (mostly) intact.
Bucket List vs. Reality
Educational Outings
Expectation: Museums! Nature reserves! Grow their brains while bonding!
Reality: £48 later, someone’s bored, someone’s lost a shoe, and you still don’t know where the car is parked.
Survival Tip: Local library + snacks = genius-level parenting.
DIY Crafts & Creative Time
Expectation: Beautiful artwork for the fridge. Bonding through creativity.
Reality: Glitter in the carpet, glue in someone’s hair, and you still don’t know how that crayon ended up in the kettle.
Survival Tip: Give them cardboard boxes and call it “creative exploration.” Or give them water and chalk outside; that’s art too. Don’t let Instagram fool you.
Screen Time Limits
Expectation: One hour a day, strictly monitored.
Reality: Mickey and Minnie became the foster parents. Mr. Tumble also helped with co-parenting.
Survival Tip: If they’re quiet, not injuring each other, and you can drink your cuppa hot and in peace, leave it on.
Outdoor Adventures
Expectation: Park picnics, bike rides, chasing butterflies.
Reality: 14 minutes in, “Can we go home now?” Someone’s crying because grass touched them.
Survival Tip: The back garden with a bowl of water = water park.
Sibling Bonding
Expectation: Playing nicely, building memories.
Reality: “Muuuuum, he touched me!” “She looked at me weird!”
Survival Tip: Separate corners. Or matching timeouts. Build character for both of you.
Independent Play
Expectation: Kids entertaining themselves while you get laundry done.
Reality: “Muuuum, can you play with me?” every 3.5 minutes.
Survival Tip: Hide and seek. You hide. They’ll find you eventually… hopefully after you’ve eaten your secret biscuit.
Looking back now with a 17-year-old who eats like a grown man and a 13-year-old who’s as independent as they come. I honestly smile at those chaotic summers.
I used to say, “It’s not that deep. If it won’t scar them, then it’s not a deal-breaker.”
They were messy, hilarious, exhausting, and magical all at once.
You don’t need perfect plans. You don’t need to do it all. Just love your kids, feed them (even if it’s toast three times a day), and laugh when you can.
You’ll survive it.
And one day, you’ll look back and laugh…
…with glitter still mysteriously turning up in your laundry lol!
