It’s the first Monday in August, and I’m already running on empty.

Like many mums across the UK, I started the summer holidays with grand intentions: lazy mornings, outdoor adventures, time to write my spooky stories while the kids did “independent activities.” The reality? We’re three weeks in, and I’m surrounded by empty snack wrappers, suncream-streaked laundry, and children who alternate between loving hugs and loud bickering.

Late-Night Chats about Ghost Stories

Still, there’s something undeniably magical about the summer holidays with kids in the UK. It’s not just the picnics and ice creams—it’s the spontaneous trips to the woods, the late-night chats about ghost stories, and the freedom from school schedules. I’m constantly exhausted, yes, but also grateful for the time we have together.

This year feels extra special. My younger daughter just turned twelve, and she asked for a professional camera and Heartstopper merchandise for her birthday. She’s growing up fast, discovering her identity, and capturing the world through a creative lens. It’s beautiful and bittersweet—watching your child become themselves is the truest kind of magic.

We marked her birthday with a Lammas celebration, complete with homemade cakes, a garden bonfire, and a quiet family ritual. We even toasted the occasion with traditional mead—don’t worry, just the grown-ups! If you’d like to try something a little different, get £5 off when you buy two bottles of mead at the English Heritage Shop. It’s perfect for your next magical gathering.

Witchy Parenting Journey

I often write about the witchy parenting journey—raising kids while honouring the wheel of the year, embracing the paranormal, and finding moments of spiritual connection in everyday life. The summer holidays give us time to deepen those bonds. We build fairy houses, talk about haunted dolls, and stay up late watching the stars.

But I’m not going to sugar-coat it—parenting in the summer is intense. I don’t get much rest. The house is chaotic. My writing suffers. And sometimes, I just want ten minutes of silence.

So, if you’re a mum out there feeling the same way—torn between gratitude and burnout—please know you’re not alone. You’re doing amazing, and you don’t need to do it all perfectly. You’re creating memories that will last forever, even if the dishes are piling up and the kids won’t stop asking for snacks.

Take a breath. Pour a cup of tea. Maybe light a candle and say a quiet blessing for yourself.

You’ve got this, mama.

💬 What about you?

How are your summer holidays going? Are you managing to find moments of magic amidst the mayhem?

Drop a comment below or find me on Facebook @SpookyMrsGreen – I’d love to hear your stories!

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