I AM suddenly very aware of the fact that the six-week holidays are looming ahead for my five-year-old, Charlie.
I know this because in the past few weeks he has whipped himself up into a frenzy with the endless rounds of sports days, school barbecues and fairs, a mini-beast zoo lab workshop, and as a front seat spectator for the 'big boys and girls' performing Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
So, he is at the end of his reception year and he is exhausted, as are we (and his amazing and extremely patient teachers who must be ready to hit the gin by now).
By the time we get to the end of July, the main focus in his life will be 1) Can we go to Legoland, 2) Can we go to Ceebeebies land at Alton Towers, 3) Can we go to Disneyland – not necessarily in that order.
Call me cynical, but the thought of queuing up with the other 3,000 parents and overexcited five and six-year-olds to push and shove our way onto the In the Night Garden Magical Boat Ride fills me with dread and horror. Instead, my wife Karen and I have been gently brainwashing him into agreeing with us that relaxed picnics in the sun at Belton House, near Grantham, are far more fun (and better value) than going anywhere near the Little Explorers toy shop.
There is also a part of me that thinks our children are overindulged these days.
What's wrong with letting them spend the summer playing in the garden with just a small bike and scooter for company, a sandpit (empty at the moment, as two-year-old Archie took approximately two days to scoop 15 large bags of play sand out of it with a bucket and deposit it round the garden), and the sprinkler running on very hot days?
They can dip in and out of the freezer for icepops, instead of spending £3.50 on a rather jaded looking Magnum from an ice-cream van.
So, we brace ourselves for the next six weeks of madness, knowing that by the time we get to the beginning of September the main focus in Charlie's life will be 1) when is it Hallowe'en? 2) are we going to a bonfire party? and 3) can I send off my Christmas list of Santa yet – again?... not necessarily in that order!
Stop the world, I want to get off.