Fasten your seatbelts and…help!
Sorry for the slight hiatus. I’ve just come back from two wonderful weeks in Umbria and, a holiday being a change after all, my husband and I agreed a social media fast as well. Anyway, now that’s over,I can get on with gorging myself again – phew!
So holidays with children…can they really be called holidays? Certainly, the travelling part with my children can sometimes be…..well, challenging.
Before I went, the journalist Rosie Millard published a book called ‘Bonne Vacances: A Crazy Family Adventure in the French Territories’. Although I packed it in suitcase, I confess that I have still yet to read it (strangely the flight was not as good an good opportunity as I hoped…..) but I did see her interviewed about her trip and she struck me as a very brave woman! Her idea was to set out on a tour of the French Overseas Departments and Territories (the Dom-Toms ) with her husband and four young children to show the children it is possible to survive twelve weeks without Hannah Montana. During the interview she explained how they took very little with them, and her advice for in flight entertainment? Just a pad of paper and a pencil! I wish. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure my two little ones would not be kept entertained for a flight with so little.
I really love the idea of travelling light though I always seem weighed down with bags, duty free, books and magazines. So this time I was determined to pack smart but also be prepared with everything required to deal with whinges from the kids. Even if you’re only doing a short 2 1/2 hour flight, there’s still the journey to the airport, hanging around at the airport and possible delays, so I always feel much better if I am armed with various activities and little tricks up my sleeve. Read more »
Rainy days and Mondays
With half term approaching and the British weather being what it is, it’s always a good idea to be prepared and plan some activities to avoid finding yourself with a house full of grumpy bored faces.
So here are my top favourite ‘rainy day’ activities purloined from the Perform Book Of Brilliant Things To Do. Some of them might seem a bit sketchy but they’ve all been tried and tested and anyway the simplest ideas are often the best. Quite a few involve music so have an ipod/ CD player and a few different CDs to hand.
Potion Play
All children love playing with water and I’m sure that yours are no exception. This activity needs close supervision but can be a lot of fun and great for stimulating imaginations.
Tell your children that you are all going to be magicians who have to make up some magic potions. Get together some clear plastic tumblers, put them in a washing up bowl and put them on a table your children can sit at. First of all, you have to make sure that all the equipment is really clean so show them how to wash and dry everything up beautifully (also useful for the future!).
Now part-fill the tumblers with water and put a drop of different coloured food colouring (the stuff you use for icing cakes) in each. Now challenge them to make up different potions according to their own recipes. It’s amazing how much they love adding the different colours to see what happens. For every potion they create, they must give it a name and say what it is for. Read more »
How to Cheat at Bedtime Stories
I spend a lot of my day making up games for children, playing games with children and undertaking other fun and creative tasks in my work with Perform.
The trouble is that sometimes, after a long day at work, it’s hard to keep it up when entertaining my own children, Tom and Elizabeth (3 and 1).
Bad Mummy alert!
But I’m sure I’m not the only parent who struggles sometimes – right?
Take bedtime stories, for example. Now, I’m a big believer in these – they are a key part of the bedtime routine for my two; and while they love books , when it comes to bedtime, what they really want is a made-up story.
I know, I know – I’ve made something of a rod for my own back with that one! But, if all creativity has been used up at work, I often feel short on inspiration… So, rather than disappoint, I cheat :)
Things to Do this Half Term
It’s half term next week – seriously, this year is just flying by!
As parents, it’s often a bit daunting to figure out what to do with the children during half term – particularly in February when the weather can so often work against you. So, I’ve pulled together some ideas for things to do over the half term week – hopefully, you’ll find them useful!
A Winter Picnic - Obviously this is somewhat weather permitting! Fingers crossed we manage a few dry days – as long as it’s dry (and not absolutely freezing) in my book, you can wrap up warm and picnic. I take hot soup (well it is a winter picnic) in addition to the usual fare and we head to the park. Of course, if the weather’s really bad and going out is a complete no-no, then I have also been known to picnic at home on a blanket on the living room floor; the children love it!
Visit the Library - check out what’s going on at your local library – over half term, you’ll often find libraries have various events on, story time sessions and visiting authors. Even better, sessions are normally free!
The Eyes Have It
I’ve been watching Rebecca Ferguson’s journey through X Factor with interest. Remember her first audition?
Beautiful girl; wonderful voice – and yet as she admitted herself, she’s lost confidence. As Simon said “you’ve got to start looking people back in the eye again” – possibly one of the only sensible things he’s ever said :)
Fast forward to the first live show and you’ll see a real improvement:
Guest Post on Baby Budgeting
Becky from Baby Budgeting was kind enough to offer me a guest posting slot this month, so please do pop over to take a look and let me know what you think via the following link - Imaginative Play for Children
Whilst you’re there do check out her other posts – the blog acts as a fantastic resource for parents who are watching the pennies - erm that’ll be all of us then!
In her own words:
“Becky has 2 ambitions in life
1. To stay off work to raise her children
2. To be happy and fulfilled in her family life
Should be simple but these 2 ideals are becoming increasingly difficult for modern day parents to achieve. To this end Becky has been very creative over the last few years making and saving the money she needs to stay off work. She has run an extremely part- time take your baby along baby signing business, she has done many car boot sales, she has learned the wonders of eBay and Amazon, she has budgeted wisely and so much more. Writing her book is her chance to share all she has learnt with others and hopefully help build a whole community of sharing, smart thinking parents who can free up time to be with their children.”
It’s fab – I can’t recommend it enough… Just remember to come back and see me here sometimes too :)
Lucy x
Image credit Paul Swansen
Five Fabulous Things to Do This Half Term
I know we’re now half-way through Half-Term but, if you’re struggling with inspirational ideas to fill up the last few days, here are a few thoughts that will keep you clear of the theme parks, museums etc.
Whilst doing virtually any kind of activity will involve you in parting with some cash, I’ve tried to pick some which hopefully won’t break the bank! Well… here goes:
1. Get Arty!
Great whatever the weather (if it’s looking gloomy, it’s a great rainy day activity – or, if it’s a day like today, bring the paints outside). Painting pictures is always fun, whether they’re finger-painting, using brushes or sponges or trying out potato printing and of course you’re not limited to paper either. With child-friendly ceramic paints they can decorate plant pots, mugs or plates; or you might like to try out fabric paints and have them design their own t-shirts.
Going on an Easter Egg Hunt!
In writing this post, I’m hoping to sufficiently distract myself from the Easter Treats which I’ve just purchased for the children… but they are calling my name… just so you know ;)
As a child, my Granny always used to do Easter Egg Hunts for us, and this year, I’m planning to do the same for my two. I clearly remember my Granny’s painstakingly typed clues which led us all around her house and through the garden (weather permitting) collecting teeny tiny foil wrapped eggs leading to a treasure trove of chocolate eggs and simnel cake. Marvellous!
Music & your Child
Most children love music, whether it’s singing nursery rhymes complete with actions (of course), having a little dance or even listening to something more soothing before they go to sleep.
My Mum loves to tell people about how I would make up my own songs when I was little (well perhaps ‘songs’ is pushing it) they were more like stories which I’d sing to myself – e.g.:
I’m certain that they weren’t necessarily particularly tuneful, and I probably never sang the same song twice. I don’t have much recollection of doing it as I was too young really, but apparently I’d keep myself amused for hours. So, suffice to say, music has always been really important to me – perhaps even before I can actually remember!
