The much-dreaded long school holidays is lurking its mischievous head again! While our school-going children loves it, home managers aka you and me, the housewives (and in some cases, the house husbands), cringe at the thought of spending the next one month or so, with all the kids at home 24/7.
Whatsapp jokes will start popping up, of mommies turning into monsters during the school holidays. While all mothers totally adore and love their kids unconditionally, the ones amongst us who have opted to be full-time dedicated home managers are getting stressed up just remembering the chaos, loud noises and forever hungry children, and higher electric bills, that come with the school holiday season.
Alas, it’s not a hopeless scenario after all. There are simple ways to help us manage through those crazy days. Here are ten of them.
1. Plan, plan, plan
The year end school holidays usually last more or less five weeks. Living day-by-day trying to get through each day is a bad idea. Work out a weekly plan, each around a certain key programme (or ‘theme’). Here’s an example of the plan:
Week 1: Enrol the kids in a suitable School Holiday Programme
Week 2: Family holiday trip, or a visit to Grandma’s house
Week 3: Kids play dates with friends
Week 4: Kids room deco project
Week 5: School prep
2. Have time for yourself
This is crucial to keep your sanity! Tell the kids that there are time-outs for mommy too. Set it up earlier on the day so that they are aware and respect that hour. Use it to read a good book with a hot cuppa on the side, or dance your hearts out in the privacy of your bedroom, or soak yourself in a hot tub. Get the elder kids to help take care of their younger sibling during the hour, if possible.
3. Play dates
Arrange for play dates with other kids; take turns to have it at your home and the homes of other parents. A sleepover is a super great idea; kids love this!
4.Off for the holidays and to the grannies!
What’s a holiday without a holiday trip! Plan a 3-day getaway, where everyone gets to enjoy the vacation – a beach holiday, a backpacking trip on the train perhaps, or just a time out at a hotel within the city. You can also send the kids over to the Grannies. They love having their grandchildren over for a few days, and will spoil them rotten!
5. School holiday programmes
Consider sending your kids for a school holiday programme, suited to their hobbies. It could be a short term coding programme, a public speaking or vocal singing class, a cooking class for kids, or a leadership camp!
6. Where’s the other spouse?
Remind your spouse that you’ll need time for yourself as well. He or she has to take turns taking care of the kids too. When your spouse is at home, go out for a short coffee break, catching up with friends, or perhaps consider having your facial or manicure done.
7. Switch roles
Switch roles with the children sometimes. Get them to ‘manage’ the house for the day – things to do, meals to prepare, clean the kitchen , throw the rubbish out, wash the clothes and hang them out to dry – clean the house up! This help the kids to see things from a different perspective, plus, it’ll allow them to take on responsibilities! Empowerment!
8. Give them responsibilities
The holiday is really a good time to instil good habits in the children. If you have more than one child, you could get them to work out some chores between them. For example, they can take turns at washing the dishes, or throwing the rubbish out. Children should always, always be trained to tidy up their room themselves; brooms and mops are not just for adults!
9. Room reno project (home project)
Get the kids to re-decorate their room. It doesn’t have to be a total change with new wardrobe and such (which will cost quite a bit); it can be as simple as placing the study table to another section of the room, for example. If the kids are sharing a room, they can switch beds and redecorate their ‘new’ space to their preference. Repainting one section of the bedroom wall according to the colour of their choice is also a great idea. Get them involved in doing a little bit of research on the net; find examples of bedroom styles that they like and then choose the colour from colour palates. It’s a do-able idea that doesn’t necessarily cost a bomb.
10. Sweat it out!
Get the children involved in physical activities. Start the day, everyday, with exercise, jogging around the park together. Involve them in football or badminton games, or zumba fitness routines throughout the holiday. Keep them off the gadgets as much as you can.
There you go, ten great ideas to help you go through the upcoming school holidays. The idea is to tell your children the rules at the start of the holiday. A house manager is a full time job, just like any other vocation. Mommies deserve a break too, but remember, Mom always Rule!
Mayday, mayday, come what may
I am your super-mummy,
I’m ready for the school holiday, yeay!
Photo Credit: Pixabay