I Didn’t Enjoy the Summer Holidays (And That Doesn’t Make Me a Bad Parent)

Her Story & Co.
6 days ago
4 min read

"Roll on Back to School” – An Honest Reflection on My Summer Holidays

Well… we made it. Just about. Another summer holiday ticked off.

And if I’m really honest? I haven’t enjoyed it one bit.

There, I said it.

While social media has been full of smiling families, epic days out, and captions like “Can’t believe the holidays are nearly over, I don’t want them to end!”… I’ve been over here silently whispering, “Thank goodness.”

The Reality Behind My Summer

I love my children—deeply, fiercely, endlessly. But this summer has been hard. Really hard.

My son is autistic with ADHD and PDA. The lack of holiday provision for children like him in my area? Zero. Absolutely nothing. That meant he’s been home, out of his usual routine, and—understandably—demanding.

Meanwhile, my other two have squabbled, told tales, and bickered on repeat (seriously, I could sell tickets).

And me? I’ve had no motivation. None. Normally I’m up for days out, but this summer the thought of packing bags, getting everyone organised, and heading out the door felt overwhelming. Because here’s the truth:

Days out often ended in meltdowns or misbehaviour.

My kids acted like I had an endless money tree.

We cut short more than one “fun day out.”

We even came home from a 7-day holiday on day 4—because I simply couldn’t face managing it all away from home.

At some point, I decided: if I’m going to parent tricky behaviour, I’d rather do it in the comfort of my own home than in a crowded, overpriced attraction where everyone’s watching.

Real life: my living room most days this summer. Who needs soft play when you’ve got a sofa to dismantle?

The Guilt Spiral

Of course, the guilt crept in.

I’ve found myself thinking:

What’s wrong with me?

I used to love spending time with my children.

Why does everyone else seem to find joy in this, while I’m counting the days until school gates reopen?

And then comes the shame. Because the truth is, when we scroll through picture-perfect posts of families on adventures, it’s easy to believe we’re the only ones struggling. But research tells us otherwise—many parents find the summer holidays stressful, overwhelming, and exhausting. We just don’t always talk about it.

The Touch-Out, Overstimulated Parent Club

The reality is that being a parent in the summer means you’re:

Touched out (if one more sticky hand grabs me, I might combust).

Overstimulated (the noise! the chaos! the mess!).

Exhausted (is it bedtime yet?).

Craving some me-time (preferably in a quiet room, with snacks I don’t have to share).

And that doesn’t make us bad parents. It makes us human parents.

Two Things Can Be True

Here’s something we don’t say enough:

👉 It’s wonderful that some families love the holidays, thrive on the chaos, and don’t want them to end.

👉 And it’s also perfectly okay if you didn’t enjoy them at all, if you’re desperate for the routine of school, and if you’re secretly doing a countdown dance until the bell rings.

Neither makes you a better or worse parent. Both are valid. Both are real.

Why We Struggle

A few gentle reminders:

Routine matters. Children—especially neurodivergent children—thrive on structure. When it disappears, so does their sense of calm.

Parenting without support is draining. Many areas have limited (or no) accessible holiday provision, leaving parents to manage 24/7.

You’re not failing if it feels hard. Studies show parental stress levels spike during school holidays. You’re not imagining it.

It’s okay not to love every season. Loving your kids doesn’t mean loving every moment. That’s not realistic.

Finding the Funny

Of course, humour is how we survive, isn’t it? And even in the chaos, there were moments that made me smile (or laugh through the madness):

My 3-year-old decided seagulls were officially called “holiday birds”—and honestly, I might never call them anything else again.

My 7-year-old turned our staircase into a stunt set, surfing down on a giant tray like he was auditioning for Jackass Junior.

And yes, there was even a lovely family walk through a beautiful country park—briefly peaceful, before someone tripped, someone moaned, and someone else demanded snacks.

The Golden Threads

And while most days felt tough, there were a couple of moments that genuinely worked for us too.

Tommy had a brilliant time at Wild City Collective CIC, one of the only holiday clubs around that felt inclusive and supportive for him.

We also found a pocket of calm one morning at Gabriels Wellbeing & Education CIC, which reminded me how much difference the right environment can make.

Those experiences were like exhaling in the middle of a storm—and I’m so grateful for them.

Finding a pocket of calm at Gabriels Wellbeing & Education CIC. Proof that the right environment can make all the difference.

If This Was You Too…

This blog isn’t a pity party. It’s a hand reaching out to anyone who felt the same way this summer. If you didn’t enjoy it? That doesn’t make you a bad mum. It makes you honest. It makes you human. And it makes you part of a very large, very tired club.

So let’s say it out loud: Roll on back to school.

We’ll get our routines back, our sanity back, and maybe even a hot cup of tea back.

And you know what? That doesn’t mean we love our children any less. In fact, I’d argue it means we love them enough to be real about how hard it can be.

👉 If you’ve felt like this, you’re not alone. And if you did love the summer holidays? That’s wonderful too. There’s room for both truths.

💛 Sending love (and solidarity snacks) to every parent riding out the last few days.