| As the next raft of school holidays approaches it | | | | herbs, vegetables or plants can be extremely |
| is important to think about what you are going to | | | | satisfying and absorbing to children. Even playing |
| do with the time. Even a small amount of planning | | | | with leaves, sticks and stones can be fun. Maybe |
| can make the time spent over the holidays much | | | | turn them into a painting or collage. |
| more pleasurable. | | | | - Use your local park. They may have a petting |
| Forward Thinking can Bring Results: | | | | zoo or crazy golf. Even taking several children and |
| - Investigate holiday clubs, football courses, local | | | | having an afternoon playing rounders or football |
| authority fun days. Many areas have got wise to | | | | can be a satisfying way to spend an afternoon. |
| the business opportunities of providing | | | | Share the Responsibility for Planning: |
| entertainment to keep children occupied during | | | | - Let each child take turns in deciding how to |
| long school holidays. | | | | spend a day. Maybe give them a budget so that |
| - Then there are grandparents who may well | | | | they know how much money they have allocated |
| relish the time taking the children out for one or a | | | | for the venture. That in itself can be an exciting |
| few days. | | | | task, finding out costs, arranging where to go, |
| - Consider a swap day with another parent. Have | | | | what they can afford. It can make budgeting |
| her child one day and then she has yours another | | | | more real as it a complex task that they have to |
| day. | | | | manage. |
| - Some university students may want to child | | | | - There is no need to have every day filled with |
| mind on a casual basis over the holidays. Look to | | | | activities. Put a chart up that shows what is |
| your contacts for responsible students, home on | | | | scheduled over the time. This can also show the |
| the break. | | | | quieter days where they can amuse themselves. |
| - If you work, maybe you could work from | | | | - Let the children have some flexibility. Relax |
| home over the holidays. This gives you flexible | | | | some of the rules that they normally have to |
| hours to do your job and allows you daytime to | | | | follow, so let them stay up a little later, watch |
| spend with the children. | | | | more TV at times, take a break from homework. |
| Set a Project: | | | | It is their holiday from work. |
| - Children love being motivated to achieve a goal. | | | | Use the Time to Make Changes: |
| So maybe set a challenge like learning to ride a | | | | - Resolutions can be made at any time, but when |
| bicycle or swim a set distance at the swimming | | | | there is plenty of time available it can be a good |
| pool. Doing exercise means that they expend | | | | opportunity to introduce positive changes, like |
| energy and the competitive edge is a good way | | | | them cleaning their room, having specific jobs |
| to motivate them. | | | | each week, or the family taking time to cook and |
| - A creative project is good for wet weather. | | | | eat healthier meals as a family. |
| Maybe painting or keeping a log or diary of the | | | | - Long school holidays can also be a good time to |
| holidays can be an absorbing way to pass an | | | | think of others and maybe fund raise for a |
| afternoon. | | | | particular charity. Take time to choose an |
| Keep it Simple: | | | | important charity and then set about organising |
| - Children often enjoy simple pleasures more than | | | | money raising activities. |
| elaborate, expensive times. Think of the child | | | | Learn about Quiet Time: |
| happily playing with the cardboard box whilst the | | | | - Children are often being stimulated. TV, |
| special gift is pushed to one side. They value time | | | | computers, music. Many children spend hours |
| spent with them playing games, collecting leaves | | | | watching a TV or computer screen and often end |
| or shells whilst on a walk, making cards, having a | | | | up over stimulated as a result. Spend some time |
| picnic in the garden, making cakes and biscuits. | | | | each day relaxing and being quiet. Learn to turn |
| These are the times recalled with affection by | | | | the lively, excitable switch down a little. |
| both parent and child. The times that money | | | | Entertainment should not be constant. So turn off |
| cannot buy. | | | | the noise and the flashing images and be still for |
| - Sit down with the children and ask them to list | | | | an hour. |
| all the things that they would like to do. Then | | | | All these are ways to plan for a happy time spent |
| discuss the list and find compromises that work | | | | with your children. It does not have to cost a lot |
| for everyone concerned. The fact that it has | | | | of money, but by being organised and having a |
| been discussed will help the children to feel | | | | plan, you can manage stress and ensure that it is |
| important, involved and considered. | | | | a time full of happy memories for all. |
| - Get outside. Planting a corner of the garden with | | | | |