22 August 2023 , 18:30
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During the summer holidays, it can be a tricky task trying to keep your kids entertained every day. Especially when the weather isn't on your side, trying to refrain from them getting bored can feel like an endless chore and a lot of parents also worry about the costs of planning lots of activities for the summer.
A mum has shared the "best tip" she's learned in order to keep her little ones entertained. It actually came from her grandma, and she claimed it does them good in the long run - by not planning as much as you may think you have to.
Sharing with other mums on Netmums, she revealed that you have to remember you're a "parent and not a clown" and that you shouldn't have something planned every minute of the day. Replying on a thread of ways to keep children entertained, she wrote: "The best tip I ever had was from my gran, and it was to 'Remember you're a parent, not a clown' and what she meant was that you shouldn't feel that you need to directly entertain your children every waking hour.
"It's fine to expect them to entertain themselves for a few hours a day. It's ok to let them be bored. And it's perfectly acceptable to get them helping with the housework, as that not only teaches them valuable skills, it also gives you, the parent, more quality time to spend doing more important things."
So instead of parents feeling the pressure to keep their children stimulated with planned trips and numerous adventures she suggests to get them involved in the housework. As well as this, she shared that they should get their little ones to make use of what they have and keep costs down too, whilst remembering for adults to take a break too.
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"Most children have toys and books, so encourage them to use what they have. If you have access to a safe outdoor space, let them use it. Let them play with friends in your garden or theirs, or in the local park, and don't feel that you have to hover over them all the time. For older children, get them a bus pass, pack them a lunch, and send them off together somewhere while you relax at home. Not filling their every moment with fun activities will actually do them good in the long run," she further detailed in her post.
Making children come up with their own games and fun helps them become independent too - without parents having to do it all for them during the holiday season. Whilst another mum added her suggestion and wrote: "I love to mix things up. We enjoy exploring local parks, going on nature scavenger hunts, trying out fun DIY crafts, and even having little cooking sessions together. It's all about creating wonderful memories while having a blast."