Its the school holidays, its red hot outside,
the kids are winging to go the seaside and you've
got to meet a deadline in two days and you haven't
even started. Don't panic. Remember the kids
need your time also and all work and no play
makes mammy a dull person. Take an hour off,
ask for help from friends and family. There
are lots of ways to keep the kids happy during
the holidays. Here are some great ideas to help
you out.
Remember, these suggestions depend on the age(s)
of your child(ren.)
Work late when they go to bed or rise early
while they are still sleeping.
Designate one day, e.g. Monday’s as play day”
and spend the day with them no work and no interuptions.
So switch the phone off, get your bathers on
and head down to your local pool. Tell the children
that you will need the rest of the week to get
some work done but that the play day will be
for them and that it is a day of pure fun and
games.
If
you have relatives close, send them there for
short periods of time. Be careful not to take
advantage of their generosity.
Schedule certain days that your child(ren) can
have friends over and alternate with days your
child(ren) may go to their friends' homes.
Check your local area for clubs and activities
where you can leave the kids there for a few
hours a day.
Invest in some great outdoor toys and garden
equipment. Swings and slides will keep them
happy for a few hours (or at least half an hour),
water guns are great they can get each other
wet and get muddy (make sure they put old clothes
on then you won`t have to worry about their
clothes getting to dirty).
Buy or make a sand pit. Play sand is cheap enough
to buy. Buy them some plants to have their own
little garden but you will need to supervise
them but that is easy enough just take your
work outside with you.
Buy them their own tent and tell them that it
is their own little house you could even let
them stay in it over night with their friends.
Get to know other at home mothers in your area
and you could alternate looking after the kids
every other day.
Let them write, sing, play instruments, and
draw to encourage their creativity.
You may just have to pay them off (if they are
older), send them to the, park, or wherever
for a little bit of time.
Lastly, remember why you work at home. Isn’t
it because you want to spend more time with
your family while earning money?
