Troublesome children wreaking havoc over summer: Daughter soils floor at Smyth's, diverting from the day's low points for this parent
Beth Hinchliffe, a mum from the UK, has two children who she considers to be very challenging. Her summer has been difficult, with her day at the toy store Smyth's ending in an accident involving her daughter urinating on the floor. This incident, along with the constant cleaning and the stress of juggling work and household tasks, has left Beth feeling overwhelmed and in need of downtime.
Many parents can relate to Beth's experience. Dr. Tamara Bugembe, a child psychologist, suggests sticking to some kind of routine during the holidays to prevent grumpy and challenging behavior in children. Liat, a parenting blogger, advises setting family tech rules to limit screen time and banning screens during certain times, such as dinner or when friends are visiting. Liat warns that tech is a battleground for parents and setting boundaries is necessary.
To help manage the summer holidays effectively, experts recommend planning a diverse set of age-appropriate, affordable, and engaging activities. These activities can be a mix of indoor and outdoor play, fostering creativity, and involving the whole family. Examples include organizing cooking sessions, scavenger hunts, handicrafts like pottery, water balloon dodgeball, campfires, and outdoor explorations like nature hikes or building garden dens.
Water play, such as using paddling pools, sprinklers, or water tables, is excellent for cooling off and entertaining kids outdoors. Creative outdoor activities like sidewalk chalk, spray painting, and rock decoration can stimulate artistic expression while being easy to set up. Hosting simple get-togethers like BBQs or backyard camping also provides enjoyable family bonding experiences.
These activities help develop skills such as motor coordination, teamwork, creativity, and appreciation of nature while keeping children happy and active during the lengthy holiday period. Additionally, small rules or structures, like taking turns filling balloons before throwing in water games, can teach patience and fairness in a fun context. Offering a mix of energetic and calm activities helps balance the children's needs and keeps the caregiver from burnout.
Dr. Bugembe encourages children to try healthy habits such as cycling and walking during the holidays. She recommends letting children get out in the fresh air to tire them out and improve their health. Beth agrees, suggesting that kids benefit from experiencing boredom and learning to make their own fun during the summer holidays.
Beth has gone viral on TikTok with over 1.7 million views and 122k likes for sharing her challenging experience of motherhood. Her account, @bethhinchliffexox, provides a raw and relatable insight into the realities of parenting. Despite the challenges, Beth's story serves as a reminder that even in the most difficult moments, there is humour and resilience to be found.
References: [1] The Independent. (2021). How to keep your kids entertained during the summer holidays. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/family/kids/how-to-keep-your-kids-entertained-during-the-summer-holidays-b1866336.html [2] The Guardian. (2021). 25 fun and free activities to keep the kids entertained during the summer holidays. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/jul/19/25-fun-and-free-activities-to-keep-the-kids-entertained-during-the-summer-holidays [3] BBC Good Food. (2021). 50 fun activities to keep the kids entertained this summer. Retrieved from https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/50-fun-activities-keep-kids-entertained-this-summer [4] Netmums. (2021). 50 cheap and easy summer holiday activities for kids. Retrieved from https://www.netmums.com/toddlers/cheap-and-easy-summer-holiday-activities-for-kids/
- Science can be incorporated into summer activities through organizing cooking sessions or setting up water tables, as these can teach children about measurements and cause-and-effect while fostering creativity.
- For parents who prioritize health-and-wellness, Dr. Tamara Bugembe recommends encouraging children to cycle and walk during the holidays to tire them out and improve their health.
- Personal growth and family dynamics can be enhanced through engaging in lifestyle activities like scavenger hunts, handicrafts, or building garden dens, which can encourage teamwork, creativity, and appreciation of nature.
- In the realm of education-and-self-development, Liat advises setting family tech rules to limit screen time and promote face-to-face interactions and communication, which can contribute to stronger relationships within the family.
