u/Downtown-Orchid-2257

The summer holidays start in the next 3 weeks and I'm a little worried. This is the first time that both my partner and I will be working full time with our kids (9, 6) at home. I was a SAHP until the start of this year.

So far, we have a shared week on a family holiday then my partner and I currently have one additional each booked off work. That leaves 3 weeks where we need to find alternatives. Grandparents are available but they'll likely take them 1 day a week each.

I listened to a really helpful podcast recently where the concept of A and B days were outlined. A days are where my partner will work in the morning and then be with them in the afternoon, probably for an activity. B days are when they will be expected to take a bit more responsibility of entertaining themselves. We will always be around at lunchtimes for a pocket of family time.

I am also keen to instill some fun activities on A days/days where my partner or myself are off work. Unfortunately, any discussions with the kids on what they would like to do descend into demands to go on holiday to Spain or Japan (definitely not within our budget).

So, my questions:

1. Which activities would you recommend for both kids on days/mornings where we both have to work?

I had thought of a joint Lego project but in the past the 9yo has gotten impatient with their sibling and it has descended into fighting.

2. Can you recommend fun activities/summer traditions we can start doing on A days/days where both my partner or myself are off work?

I have thought of taking them to the local bookshop and buying a family book we can all ready together. Our local booksellers are really good at recommending books for our kids plus I like the idea of us all coming together at night to read a story.

Thank you if you got this far and solidarity to those of us treading the balance of summer holidays and childcare!

Hi all, looking for cost effective party bag ideas that aren't the usual bags of tat from Amazon. Got 10 9/10 year old boys going to a local games arcade for my eldest's birthday party. What would you give them as party bag favours that won't break the bank?

Did think about World Cup football stickers but at least 2 are not into football 🙈

Hi all, very new to the cozy game genre. I have tried searching for a game on this sub Reddit but nothing seems to match it.

Months ago I watched a Reel recommending cozy games. One was for clearing out/decluttering someone's home after their death. The family gives you instructions and I believe they can rate you on how well a job you've done.

It's definitely not Unpacking as the graphics were quite a bit darker than that design.

I'm beginning to think I made up this game or dreamed it as I watched the reel really close to bed time, haha. My gamer husband is delighted I'm finally showing an interest in gaming after 6 years of marriage. Any help to track down this game would be greatly appreciated.

Background:

M (f, 41) and my partner (M, 42) have two kids (both boys, 6 and 10). Both of the adults are permanently exhausted. I started working full time last summer when my youngest started school. Partner is a contractor who has dropped back to 4 days a week. He picks up a lot of errands/school picks as he has more flexibility than me.

Mon-Wed both kids are rarely in bed before 8 because of sports/Scouts. I go to bed at 9.30 otherwise I'm a grumpy sod. Both kids are up and about by 6am most days. Thurs-Fri evenings are intense as we're trying to clean up and spend time with the kids. We've barely had time to compress once finishing work, probably because we both WFH.

The house is a mess. We desperately need to declutter. Having a logistics conversation is a nightmare as both kids are butting in constantly. I'm just coming out of a year of being unwell requiring a day or two of bed rest. My energy levels are gently recovering.

Any advice would be welcome but would also love to hear that it's just not us that are constantly exhausted pigeons.

I might be over 40 with young kids but by golly I love me a weird girl summer read.

I'm looking for your weird girl summer read recommendations. Ideally, they should be set during the summer months or have the summer as a leading topic or theme. Beach reads are welcome too but I'm also looking for books that are set during the summer if you know what I mean 😊

The Girls by Emma Cline and Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney popped into my head. But I'm struggling to think of more.

ETA: oh my gosh, so many recommendations. I will do my best to wade through them. A lot will be determined by the availability of my local library (not amazing....) and my budget for Kindle books. Thank you all so much!

Hey all, I discovered this sub Reddit after leaving yet another disappointing book group. I have found my people!

I recently read New Animal by Ella Baxter and thought it fit into the Weird Girl Lit category. The MC works as a MAU in her family's funeral business. Her mother dies very suddenly in a freak accident. Her grief is funnelled into exploring the BDSM community.

It's such an interesting read and approach to grief I haven't seen before. No spoilers but there are moments that made me properly belly laugh.

Has anyone else read this?

Ants are coming into my house via a gap in the front door. I've sprayed the area with a generous dose of white vinegar which helps but isn't keeping them at bay overnight. There were definitely more of the wee buggers when I came down this morning.

All the methods I've found online are pretty grim. Are there any more humane barriers/deterrents I can use to get them to leave?

ETA Appreciate this isn't food related but it is vegan related.