19/07/2024
Summer Holiday survival guide for parents
Summer holidays can be both exciting and challenging for parents. The lack of routine, and childcare can be anxiety inducing when trying to plan what to do for what seems like a huge stretch of time.
Your first morning of summer holidays, usual nutritious breakfasts are out the window, no urgency to get up and leave the house by 8.00am and the kids are already arguing over what to watch on TV... Never fear we're here to give you a few tips to help you navigate the 6-8 weeks of school free madness and make the most of your summer (without counting down to September!)
Plan and Prepare
Start by creating a schedule or a rough plan for the summer holidays. Identify key activities, events, and outings you'd like to do with your children around work. This will help you stay organized and make the most of your time together.
Mix up your childcare
If possible, try to mix up your childcare arrangements. Consider involving family members, friends, trying out holiday activity camps or hiring a babysitter for a few days during the summer. This will provide you with enough time to work and maybe even some much-needed breaks and allow your children to have different experiences.
Embrace the boredom
Encourage your children to embrace boredom and use their creativity to find activities to do. Boredom can often lead to imaginative play and discovery. Provide them with open-ended toys, art supplies, or encourage them to explore nature in your backyard or local parks.
Get creative
Plan fun and engaging activities for your children. This could include arts and crafts projects, science experiments, cooking or baking together, building forts, or having a backyard picnic. Engaging in creative activities will keep your children entertained and create lasting memories.
Have time for yourself
It's important to prioritize self-care during the summer holidays. Take breaks when you can and use this time to recharge. (This may sound impossible but even a 30-minute time out will help on some days!)
Summer camps for the win!
Activity camps provide a structured environment with plenty of engaging activities, social interaction, and learning opportunities, giving you a break and a chance to work while your children have a great time.
They’ll come back tired from a jam-packed day trying out new activities and making new friends. Take a look at a holiday camp near you.
Embrace the rainy days
Plan activities that can be enjoyed regardless of the weather. Indoor play areas, museums, libraries, or movie days at home can be great options for rainy days. OR get out and embrace the wet weather. Make sure everyone is kitted out, get the wellies and out and on a lovely wet weather adventure. (Kids don’t care about it nearly as much as we adults do!). Just to mention, Barracudas always has lots of indoor activities kids will love!
Relax those routines
Summer holidays are a time to relax routines and let go of some of the strict schedules. For those at home days, allow children to sleep in a bit later, have a more relaxed mealtime, and enjoy the freedom that comes with the season. This will help create a more laid-back atmosphere for the whole family. We are blessed with long light evenings here so make the most of it!
Make long car journeys fun!
If you're planning a road trip or have long car journeys ahead, make them enjoyable for everyone. Pack snacks, games, audiobooks, and sing-along playlists to keep the kids entertained. Plan for regular breaks to stretch and explore new places along the way.
Embrace your inner 'big kid'
Get involved in activities with your children. Whether it's building sandcastles at the beach, playing sports, or going on nature walks, embrace your inner child and have fun together. These shared experiences will strengthen your bond and create lasting memories.
The summer holiday is a time to make memories, of course it's not all going to be peachy, but kids are way more flexible and forgiving that we are. It’s tough, as working parents to find logistical solutions to such a long holiday, to ensure they are entertained, and well looked after, and having fun!
Holiday activity camps are a great way to tick those boxes and put your mind at ease. Barracudas offers holiday childcare you can trust (Ofsted registered, excellent Trustpilot rating, staff with enhance DBS, high staff:child ratios) and your children will want to come back to (unrivalled activities, a choice for every session, confidence boosting, supportive environment, excellent facilities). That's peace of mind for parents, and maximum fun for kids!