My eldest is on her first ever school summer holiday – and I’m experiencing a parenting first…. what am I going to do for her all month? Right away I’m thinking about enrichment programs – maybe ballet or drama, museums, the zoo… I’m making lists of activities and at the same time – wondering how I’ll manage work and house duties and play-dough making sessions all in one day – everyday – for a month..
I was freaking out a little, I can’t lie. Then something happened and it really helped to break this internal stress I was creating.
We spent the first day of her holiday doing nothing special – we cycled to a cafe where I did some work, I always have a notebook in my purse and gave it to her to color in. We picked up some groceries, and cycled home – the whole time talking about this and that…
Later that day, when I looked in the notebook, I saw she had written “I love you mum” Those four words put everything back into perspective. Yes, I’ll plan a few fun activities – but really, my daughter let me know that even a simple day with her mom, is an enrichment program in itself.
That little kid teaches me so much! Parents, I’d love to know how you manage school holidays – what works for you?
We subscribe to the National Geographic Kids magazine, and they give us great inspirations to connect with nature (Yes, even in Singapore) amongst loads of other fun ideas.
They have recently launched a Lego city arctic young explorer competition and we gave our kids tasks everyday to do some research and brainstorming. It gives them such a sense of ownership and an incentive to win the competition. (A paid trip to the Arctic!) They also learnt to organize their day productively too.
All 3 of my kids enrolled in the (really fun) summer reading progams at our library and when they were a little older they volunteered to help out. Mom’s get to have some down time at the library with the company of other literate adults and browse the bookshelves.
Hi Elaine! Great idea! Happily, my girls love going to the library right now – so I think it’s smart to continue encouraging that!
thanks for the tip :)
I try to plan an activity with my daughters in the morning, be it grocery shopping, or just taking a walk in the park. Took both the girls out to Kranji Countryside this morning, just for a look around and some lunch.
Filling their mornings tires them out enough for them to want to stay home in the afternoons. That way, I get to catch up on chores and work.
Stunning photo!
she’s a stunning girl! :)