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As the school holidays
approach and children across the nation get increasingly excited
it can be a very different story for their stressed parents.
Complicated childcare
arrangements, financial pressures and trying to keep bored children
occupied during the long summer break can lead to many parents dreading
the holidays. Every summer, national charity Parentline Plus receives
calls to its helpline from parents in need of help and support during
the vacation. In fact, last year more calls were made to our helpline
during this quarter of the year than at any other time.
“It’s important to acknowledge that the summer holidays can be a
stressful time for all families” says Dorit Braun, Chief Executive
of Parentline Plus. “Parents may need to talk over their options,
to realise that they aren’t alone in these dilemmas and that there
is help at hand. Often just talking to someone about your worries
can help, which is why we encourage parents to call our 24-hour,
free, confidential helpline on 0808 800 2222”
Parents bringing up their
children alone and separated families in disagreement over where
children will spend their time, can also find the holidays stressful
and depressing.
Parents may also feel
guilty about the limited amount of time they have available with
their children, or feel under pressure to take their children on
holidays or days out during the summer that they cannot afford.
In order to support
parents in the run up to and over the summer holidays, Parentline
Plus has produced a list of tips and hints.
- Don’t try and fill
every minute of everyday, it will only exhaust you and the
kids don’t need that much stimulation. If you work or have other
commitments remember quality is more important than quantity.
- Look for what childcare
options are available in your area. Some parents share childcare
with friends, relatives and each other, whilst others balance
it with kids’ clubs and family centres. A variety of options makes
child care more flexible for you.
- Just relax and
try and enjoy it yourself, it’s your holiday too. Don’t feel
guilty if you pack the kids off for the day, or get a sitter in
for a night out. Other adults can bring in fresh entertainment
for the kids too and it gives everyone a break.
- Give your kids
a chance to get bored. How many times do you hear kids whining,
“I’m bored”? It’s okay for them to get bored! Give their imaginations
a chance to come up with ideas to fill in those long hours. If
you are trying to balance the needs of a range of ages get them
to come up with ideas – have a family meeting to decide.
- Make sure that
young people get unstructured chill-out time. They need it as
much as adults. They aren’t being aimless or lazy if they
spend their free time hanging around, watching TV, playing on
the computer, listening to music – or even not getting out of
bed until lunchtime!
- Don’t expect your
teenager to want to spend the whole holidays playing happy families.
They may well want to spend time doing their own thing, but may
be happy enough to spend a day or two with the family.
- If you have to
leave your older children alone for any period give them clear
instructions about what to do if there is a problem. Leave
a list of people you trust who they can go to.
- Plan contact arrangements,
ensure regular contact or just simply take time out to talk.
For separated parents and their children the lack of routine,
separate holidays, or not seeing a parent at all can be difficult.
- Try to get back
into a routine.
Late nights and long lazy days are what holidays are all about
but try and ease them back into routine as the holiday comes to
an end. That way, bedtimes won’t be such a struggle when they
do go back to school.
If you are a parent
or carer and would like more information and/or support you can
call Parentline Plus’ 24-hour free, confidential helpline on 0808
800 2222, or go to the website www.parentlineplus.org.uk.
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