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is no other phrase in the English language able to
produce more of a spine chilling feeling in a parent
than “I’m bored”. It is a phrased used more in the
school holidays than at any other time. Just when
your children should be out there enjoying their
youth while you slog away at work the ungrateful
little brats can’t keep themselves busy. Here are a
few ways to save your sanity and stop your children
dragging themselves round the house like
manic-depressives without their Prozac.
Slather your kids
with sun protection and send them outside into the
sunshine. Allocate each of them a portion of the
garden and get them to design and cultivate their
own area of land. Give prizes for the best work
done. The advantage to this activity is that it can
keep them occupied for days while getting them
outside and away from the PC and television.
Get the kids to use
their creative genius and write and produce plays
for you. Allow them access to certain props
(make-up, clothes and sheets), and let them dress up
and make believe. Even kids up to about twelve will
enjoy this, though the little ones may need more
help from you. While we are being creative try doing
this. Through the year collect eggshells, egg boxes,
polystyrene trays and other odds and ends for the
kids to use. Give them glue, paint and free rein and
see what they create. Try making up different
themes, for example: they must create something to
be used in space or in the desert. Challenging and
fun this will keep them out of your hair for a long
time.
With all the little
mouths around the house lunchtime can be a
nightmare. Let the kids take turns making lunch. You
may be subjected to things like peanut butter and
noodles but hang in there, the kids will enjoy it
and it will help you.
Devise a clean-up
competition, where the children get to clean up
either the house or garden areas and he with the
largest bag (just check it isn’t filled with rocks),
gets a prize of some sort.
A vital addition to
any kind of holiday fun would be mud. In all shapes
and forms. Get the kids to build forts and use mud
as weapons. Stress the importance of no stones to be
contained in the mud and then they can throw mud
pies from the safety of their forts while trying to
infiltrate the enemy camp.
If the children are
going stir crazy try taking them for a stroll
through the neighborhood. With the little kids only
go for a short distance as they will tire easily and
will want to stop every few meters to look at
various objects.
Extend this walk to
include a trip to a local park where they can play
on jungle gyms and interact with other kids.
Should finances
permit, allow the children to go on pottery courses,
art courses, pony camps and other activities. An
afternoon matinee at a local theatre will also amuse
the children no end, and many theatres offer holiday
activities for them as well. Keep your eye on the
local newspaper as many places offer activities and
cheap courses for the kids to attend for a few hours
a day.
Children need the
interaction of other children. Try and organize a
sleep over rotation with other parents your children
are happy to be around. It will keep your child in
touch with his friends, with the added bonus of
allowing mom and dad a much-needed break!
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