I was having a quick snoop around Twitter the other day and read a tweet from a mum who blogs in the UK. The UK schools were just breaking up for the summer holidays and her tweet said: ‘Very sad listening to all the mums at the school gate today saying ‘roll on September.’ And a bit of a Twitter debate started about how parents approach the onset of the summer holidays – should we be delighted at the prospect of spending eight weeks with our children, or is it acceptable to be a little alarmed at the thought and already be willing the leaves to start turning brown and falling off the trees? I also read an interesting article in The Irish Independent - 'How to be a better parent by mum-of-five with 84 year's experience' which sums up the summer holiday, nay parenting, conundrum perfectly!

I’m sure there are many pros and cons for both sides of the argument but with all the best will in the world, I doubt there are many parents who do not feel just a teensy, weensy bit frazzled at the end of the summer holidays.

Yes, the lie ins are great. Yes, it’s lovely to be able to pack up a picnic and head to the hills (weather permitting). Yes, it’s nice not to be on a strict regime of packed lunches and homework and after school activities. But, for working parents the summer holidays present a childcare nightmare of unimaginable proportions. For stay at home parents, the prospect of keeping the kids entertained 24/7 can present a challenge to creativity and patience and for work at home parents, there is still a job to be squeezed into each 24hr period of PlayDoh, Lego and walks in the park.

So, do you view the summer holidays as eight weeks of pain or pleasure? Be honest now!

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