Make time for kids, says Jeff
JEFF Brazier has managed to raise two sons while forging a career as a TV presenter and life coach.
He would be the first to admit it’s not been easy – the boys’ mum Jade Goody died when they were very young.
But Jeff, whose sons Bobby and Freddie are now 14 and 13, has handled the ups and downs and he now wants to pass on his tips for spending quality time with your kids. Have a plan Jeff said: “We’re busier than ever as parents and we are forever making up excuses as to why we just about barely scrape through the day.
“Having a plan is always really underestimated, overlooked and often the last thing we like to do.
“I have two teenagers, so they have their own ideas as to what they want to do when they come home from school.
“It would be so easy for everyone to come home and go straight to their rooms and stay there, but if you have a plan in place, you can actually carve out time to spend together.
“If you’ve got a notion of what you’re going to do and you get on it straight away, then it happens and it’s another memory created.” Share the chores Jeff said: “We plan to have at least one of the boys helping me make the food.
“That saves time in the kitchen and means we can spend a little bit more time together. It also means they’re far more likely to enjoy the dinner because they’ve helped prepare it.”
Jeff will also prep ahead with the boys, whether it’s chopping vegetables or making a salad.
He added: “Every minute we can save ourselves on the mundane tasks gives us even just 30 minutes to sit down and play cards or whatever game you and your kids enjoy playing.” Seize opportunities “When they’re older and looking back at their childhood, they’ll remember the times you were sitting down playing with them,” said Jeff.
“I’m all about seizing the opportunity to do things with them.”
Jeff enjoys playing football and going for bike rides together as a family. Have an open house As the kids lost their mum so young, Jeff relies on family and friends to help support them.
He said: “I think they really appreciate time spent around family and friends.
“They always have friends over – we try to make it an open house.
“They don’t always want to hang out with dad. Unfortunately, when they get to the teenage years, you’re toast.” Be consistent Jeff admits he’s found his children’s transition from boyhood to teenagers tricky at times.
He said: “It’s this precarious balance between being too hard, too soft and just getting it right.
“But that’s trial and error and I don’t berate myself for getting it wrong.”
Being consistent when setting boundaries is vital, according to Jeff.
He added: “Kids are almost begging for boundaries so when they see you following through with what you’ve said you’ll do, ultimately they’ll respect that and it will make them feel safe.” ● Jeff has partnered with Beko to launch their new range of 28-minute washing machines and promote the ways families can spend this extra time together.