I never thought I’d be so excited about getting back to work, but three weeks of school holidays with two very young, very needy children had me packing school bags
two days in.
But this week brought with it the welcome relief of early morning lunch packing and far too vigorous goodbye waves at the door before sneaking back to bed for some more sleep.
Unfortunately, for some parents, the holidays are not yet over.
And, just like with pregnancy, it’s those last few days that are the absolute worst.
Fear not! Because I am here to assist you in getting to that happy place, where teachers wait with open arms to welcome your children.
Here are the top six-holiday survival techniques:
1. Hide-and-seek
Nobody ever said there was a time limit in the game of hide-and-seek.
While the children count to 100 and search far and wide for you, use this time wisely to make business calls, reply to emails and have a quick power nap.
2. The trade-off
If you’re going to be entertaining children, you might as well go full tilt and invite the neighbourhood kids over and do it properly.
You will get absolutely nothing done, but the kids will have a blast, and – here’s the clincher – the next day, you dump them all on the neighbours.
And so it goes, around the neighbourhood until it’s your turn again.
Hopefully, by then the term has started.
3. Bath time
Have you noticed how much kids enjoy bath time?
Well, there is no need for bath time to be limited to the evenings.
When you’re reaching the end of your tether, throw them in the tub with some bubbles, bath toys, mud, leaves… whatever you can find.
When they’re done, just hose them down and off you go!
4. Treasure hunt
Kids love finding things, which is why this is such a win and will buy you quite a bit of time – if you do it properly.
Take 20 of your kids’ toys and hide them around the house.
Then take a nap, and wake up two hours later to help them find the teddy bear you put on the top of the cupboard in the garage.
5. Grandparents
Just because the grandparents babysat yesterday, doesn’t mean they’re not looking forward to babysitting again today, and maybe even tomorrow.
They love their grandkids!
Who wouldn’t want to spend time with your children?
6. He Who Must Not Be Named
Look. They say screen time is bad, sure. But sometimes it’s a case of survival.
Bring this out when all else has failed and you need to curl up on the floor and cry a little.
Don’t worry, you’re almost there. I’ll get back to you with more tips when the big one comes… summer holidays.
