Living well
Eleanor shares some tips on how to survive the school holidays – and enjoy them, too
Eleanor offers six easy tips for a fun and happy school holidays – for kids and parents
School holidays. Do you look forward to them? Or do you find yourself feeling nervous and wondering how you’ll keep the kids happy and occupied for weeks on end? Here are some simple tips to help everyone have a peaceful, fun summer, including the parents.
1 CREATE A RHYTHM
I think it’s important to be conscious of where time and energy is spent during the day. Personally, I’m someone who prefers structure and I know that the lack of a plan can often cause stress or frustration for my little ones. We love to sit down together at the beginning of the holidays and brainstorm some ideas and activities to do together. Then we write them down and pop them in a jar.
Each day, we’ll choose an activity, and also put aside some quiet time when everyone does something by themselves – including me. Ensuring there’s a focal point for each day helps to establish a predictable rhythm that makes everyone feel calmer and happier.
2 SET BOUNDARIES AROUND SCREEN TIME
I love watching movies as much as my kids do; however, I also know that too much time watching a screen can cause grumpiness and irritability. Creating clear boundaries right from the beginning of the holidays can give your children a wonderful opportunity to break away from the lure of the screen and actually enjoy the chance to be bored, and search out fun.
I believe that boredom is good for young minds, as it cultivates the imagination. You may find you need to remind your kids it’s their choice to be bored – just as it’s their choice to find something else to do.
3 SPEND PLENTY OF TIME OUTDOORS
If there’s one thing I’ve learned since becoming a mum, it’s that kids need plenty of fresh air and the freedom to run, build and play. Whenever things seem a little tense, I’ll open the doors and send them outside. This always sets them straight!
4 BECOME A TOURIST
A few times a week, we’ll spend a day exploring a new area that’s reasonably close to our home in Piha, West Auckland. Your hometown can be a source of adventure and inspiration – you just have to explore it! Spend some time studying a map of your area as if you were a visitor, or read up on it on travel websites. You may be surprised at what you find.
5 PRIORITISE SELF-CARE
I do love the slower pace that the holidays bring, without school lunches to pack and that hurried rush out the door in the mornings.
However, as a working mum, I find that everything else gets put on hold, particularly my self-care. For this reason, I always schedule in time to look after myself, whether that’s simply a walk on the beach, or getting up earlier each morning to enjoy a moment of quiet time. When I’m feeling calm and happy, it sets the tone for everyone else.
6 SAVOUR THESE MOMENTS
Having the kids home during the holidays can be tough, and there will definitely be times when it’s a struggle to remain patient and present. When I experience moments of stress or frustration I try to remind myself that childhood is fleeting. Most of us only get about 18 summers with our kids, if we’re lucky, so take a deep breath, look at their lovely young faces and savour all of it – even the messy bits. eleanorozich.com @eleanorozich