Troublesome children causing summer distress - incident of urination on store floor at Smyth's, which pales in comparison to the rest of the day's hardships.
Surviving the Summer Holidays: Parenting Tips from Beth Hinchliffe
Mum-of-two Beth Hinchliffe, from the UK, has shared her experience of a challenging summer with her children, offering valuable insights for other parents navigating the six-week break.
Beth's TikTok clip about her summer experiences has gone viral, with over 1.7 million views and 122k likes. However, the summer hasn't been without its hiccups. Beth had to pick up her daughter who urinated on the floor and also smelled of urine. Another incident involved her youngest child giving her a black eye by throwing her head back while being put to bed.
Despite these challenges, Beth's summer experiences have received comments such as "Now this is motherhood." She's not alone in feeling overwhelmed. Many parents have agreed, stating that motherhood isn't always fairies and rainbows. Some people find the summer holidays challenging and have expressed feelings of being overwhelmed.
To survive and thrive during the summer holidays, parents can use a combination of structure, child involvement, and positive behavior reinforcement.
Establishing a Daily Schedule
Posting a visible daily schedule with tasks before screen time can help children understand what is expected of them. This schedule should balance chores, play, creativity, and limited screen time.
Co-creating Summer Plans
Involving kids in planning activities, such as making a summer bucket list, can give them ownership and reduce complaints. This practice can make the holidays more enjoyable for both parents and children.
Positive Communication
Using positive language and choices can help limit power struggles. Clear, positive communication can encourage good behavior and cooperation.
Maintaining Safety
Adding routines for hydration, sun protection, and outdoor safety is essential for health and wellbeing during hot summer days. Sunshine during the summer holidays helps improve children's bone strength and energy levels by topping up vitamin D levels. It's also crucial to never leave kids in cars and always ensure they wear helmets when cycling or playing outdoors.
Managing Screen Time
Setting family tech rules can help manage screen time during the summer holidays. Kids aren't allowed any screen time until they've done set chores, some exercise, or a board game can be a rule to encourage non-screen activities.
Seeking Help
For working parents, seeking reliable childcare options or camps can reduce stress and allow for productivity. Beth is considering seeking help from a doctor due to the stress of the summer holidays.
Taking a Break
It's normal to feel overwhelmed or jaded during the summer holidays, and taking a break is necessary for maintaining positivity. Encouraging children to try healthy habits such as cycling and walking can help them stay active and healthy.
In conclusion, sticking to some kind of routine during the holidays can help children stay happier and less challenging. By following these practices, parents can build consistency and fun, help mitigate summer boredom, and support parent and child wellbeing throughout long school breaks.
- To further ensure the health and wellness of children during the summer holidays, incorporating routines for hydration, sun protection, and outdoor safety is essential.
- In addition to establishing a daily schedule, co-creating summer plans with children can give them a sense of ownership and reduce complaints, promoting a more enjoyable lifestyle for the whole family.
- In the spirit of personal growth and education-and-self-development, it's essential for parents to remember that seeking help when feeling overwhelmed is a sign of strength, like Beth Hinchliffe is considering by seeing a doctor.
- Home-and-garden activities, such as encouraging children to try cycling and walking, can not only promote physical activity but also contribute to the overall wellbeing of the family dynamics by fostering a positive and healthy relationships among its members.
