SURVIVING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS

For millions of parents around the world, school has recessed for the Christmas and the Summer Holidays a time dreaded by many Parents working or otherwise.

Working parents in some way have the advantage as they have their children enrolled in Holiday Programs that keep them occupied over the next 6-8 weeks. PCYC Police Citizens Youth Club here is Australia is a great example and I know they have Summer Camps in the USA and Canada as several of our young family members have worked there.

But for full time Mothers and Fathers the next couple of weeks are going to be fine with all the excitement of Santa coming Christmas Presents and all the Family Gatherings but with 6-8 weeks to fill in it will not be long before you start hearing the old cry “There is nothing to do” I’m Bored ” Go play with your Christmas Presents “I am Sick of playing with that”

I remember only too well how after a few days it starts to drive you mad and without you have the advantage of living on a Farm where there is always something happening, or in a small country Town where it is still safe to let you children wander over to friends places and down to the local Park, Cricket Pitch or Footy Field to hang out ( I think the saying is these Days) . It is your responsibility as a parent of arranging safe activities for your child to fill in their time.

Perhaps it is time to enroll them in a part time Holiday Care Club /Group most of these are of a recreational nature but can also include educational and society-oriented lessons. Recreational activities include sports and games, fine arts, painting etc. The main thrust here is to have fun. Of course, groups become more competitive as the child climbs up the ladder in age. Many sport events, competitions, stage performances etc are held to encourage the child. Mixing in these groups also teaches you child valuable Social skills discipline, patience and how to communicate with others.

The other alternative :– My Daughter first thought of this idea 5 year ago when her children were driving her mad one holidays. She approached the Mothers of her children’s closest friends and suggested they took turns looking after each others children one Day each week over the Holiday period giving the Mothers a break to go shopping without the children to Gym or just relax . Although they live in separate town both daughters and my Daughter In-Law now use this idea and enjoy the holidays with there children.

For Example one daughter has 4 Friends in her group and 7 Children in total ranging in age the eldest at this stage is 10. Each Mothers has a day during the week Monday to Friday where she has all the children from 10am to 2 pm. Each child brings its own lunch, this saves additional expense.

On the spare day which can vary from week to week if all the Mothers are Free they sometimes go to the nearest Park or down to the Beach for Lunch and this gives the big girls a chance to catch up. Twice a Year the whole group including the Husbands get together and B.B.Q. at one of the local parks so as you can appreciate they have formed long-lasting relationships and a wonderful support network in good and hard times.

To keep the children entertained the parents have pooled their resources over the Years and bought a few different games each year. This year the Daughter was telling me they have purchased Hasbro Nerf Tech Target Game , Wii Music From Nintendo, Active Life Outdoor Challenge from     Best Online Toy Shop

I am proud to say that my Daughters idea born out of share frustration has been working successfully for her Group for the past 5 years every School Holidays. They now jokingly call themselves “The Time Out Mum’s ” buying lotto and raffle tickets in this name.

Perhaps it is too late to organize a group of your own this holidays but keep it in mind for the next break.

 

Her responce was simple Mum ” We compared prices and all the items we had decided on were a lot more expensive in the Shops than Online”

Just curious I ask the Daughter this year why they shopped Online and did not just go to the local Toy outlet like they did in the past. 

 

This is something I will have to keep that in mind for future purchases for my Grandchildren’s Christmas and Birthdays presents..

 

 

 

 

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Though the Comments Section Share your idea’s from entertaining the children over the Holidays