It’s a balancing act ...How do we keep our kids entertained until we lose the will and put the TV on?
CELEBRITY PARENTS HARRY AND IZZY JUDD DISCUSS HOW THEY’VE BEEN TRYING TO KEEP THEIR TWO YOUNG CHILDREN HAPPY AND OCCUPIED DURING THE LOCKDOWN, WITH LISA SALMON
Sometimes when it’s raining... you just think, ‘I can’t take this, let’s put Moana on for the 500th time!
Harry Judd says there are times when a TV break is needed
IF you’re searching for an example of how to remain positive during a crisis, look no further than celebrity parents Harry and Izzy Judd. Despite having spent every day of lockdown trying to keep their two lively toddlers entertained and happy, McFly drummer Harry, 34, and violinist and author Izzy, 36, aren’t moaning, in fact, they’ve enjoyed spending more time together, with their children, Lola, aged four, and Kit, two.
We quizzed the pair on how they’ve kept the kids entertained during this strange time, which has included helping to put together a downloadable Imaginative Play Pack (with Soltan) for other parents...
How have you both been coping with lockdown?
“I’VE found it easier since some of the restrictions have been lifted,” says Harry, “being able to go outside a bit more for exercise, and getting the children outside.”
“What I’ve realised through lockdown is just how much the weather affects our mood. When the days are sunny it all seems a little bit easier, and when it’s wet and miserable – especially with young children, and you can’t get them outside – trying to keep them entertained is so much harder,” notes Izzy.
“That’s why we’ve had so much fun putting together activities in the Imaginative Play Pack – we’ve been forced to think of other ways to keep the kids entertained, and go back to natural resources, crazy obstacle games and dad den building – anything we can to keep them smiling and happy.”
What about the kids?
“THEY just love doing things with us, but unfortunately for me, when it comes to playing it’s, ‘I want daddy!’ I spend a lot of time playing,” says Harry. “But then at night it’s, ‘I want mummy!”’ adds Izzy.
How have you kept them busy and active?
“IT’S trying to keep that healthy mixture of keeping them creative and progressing with their learning,” says Harry, “[but] it’s a balancing act of, how do we keep them entertained until we lose the will and put the TV on?!
“It’s forced us to get more creative. Pre-lockdown in our ‘normal’ life there was nursery, play dates and kids’ clubs, and this has really stripped it back. As parents, we’ve had to take a deep breath and go, ‘Right, let’s go back to basics.”’
“It’s also made me really think about my childhood and the things I used to enjoy doing, like water painting with a bucket of water and a paintbrush,” says Izzy.
“I remember spending hours painting flowers and houses and people on the side of my parents’ house – I just loved it! That’s been good for both Lola and Kit, something they can both engage in.
“The other one is the memory tray game, which I used to play with my grandmother all the time.