Tuesday 10 July 2012

Pondering the 'summer' hols.


We are into the second week of the summer hols here folks and I may or not be giving a lovely long list of activities that my Biscuits and I have been up to but alas not.  For one they are of an age now (11 and  8 1/2) where they tend to have their own plans for the day and don't need me to interfere with them. Things like crafting or baking together are rare and only to be enjoyed when they are 'in the mood'.  I remember when they were small and there was a rotation of things to keep them busy all day.  They choose their own these days.  They have been glued to the PS3 as we got them a treat of a new game for the end of the year, good reports etc.  I don't know about you but on one income, new computer games are a rarity in our house. I don't have a problem [in the main] with them playing them either. I monitor, force breaks and think what a great thing they are for rainy days at the beginning of a long holiday from school.  Feeling the freedom of being able to play computer games all day because you don't have to go to school is a wonderful feeling.  Besides the novelty wears off and they naturally look to other things to entertain themselves soon enough.  Going out is not fun at the mo.  They have tried going out to play but it didn't take much to put them off and bring themselves home again.  This kind of constant rain does interfere with playing out as it puts them off from stepping out of doors in the first place.
I have to say too we don't believe in providing constant stimulation for them in the form of lots of days out either. Well of the costly variety anyways.  Rain is a problem regarding the free sort as long walks, picnics etc are simply not as fun in the [this incessant] rain. I suppose we want them to learn to find ways of entertaining themselves without having to pay for entertainment and honestly we cannot afford it and it wouldn't be right to show them that you do it anyway.  Don't I sound cheap??  I suppose it's finding the balance between letting them play/live life using their imagination etc and all the external things available to entertain. I suppose to we want [expensive] trips to things like the cinema to be a treat too.
I always think too that as parents we worry over whether they are out or in and what they do.  Lots of 'shouldn't they be' when really you can see when your kiddies are content and you are just worrying about what 'happy' is brought on by.  As grown ups I think we obsess about 'happiness' but kiddies just get on with living, don't you think? I think that is the biggest thing I have learned since my Biscuits arrived, to take a leaf out of their book and just get on with living each day as it comes, rain or shine etc etc.  I don't always manage it but you know us grown ups have a lot more things to scunner those plans. 

I do love the summer hols, I love seeing so much of my boys and yes my routine goes to pot and the house always feels a mess but you know I get to do a lot more things for me compared to when they were small and needed constant attention and supervision. For example I am just about to disappear for  more than an hour upstairs on my bike and they will happily play away, read or whatever with each other and not even notice I'm gone to be honest.
It's nice not to plan too.  Holidays are for not having things you must do after all.
Oh but please, a bit of sunshine would be heaven!!


X

12 comments:

  1. I totally agree. My kiddies are all grown up now but when they were younger the only thing I made sure is that if the sun was out, so were they! They played on their X-box etc., when it rained or in the evenings before bed. To go out all the time on organised days out is so expensive and with 3 children I would have needed to sell my body to medical science! (which wouldn't have paid for the bus fare!) Sue x

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    1. Heehee, 'wouldn't have paid the busfare' made me laugh Sue!

      Hope you a keeping well! xx

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  2. I do so agree with your attitude and approach. I think it is so important for children to be happy doing simple things at home and locally and not always expecting big expensive days out. Our approach was the same and now at 17 our daughter is never bored at home, is always happy pottering in or out and can find something to do and is happy just "chilling" with a good book or baking or walking the dog - its not always the computer or tv!
    As I have found as I have got older, it is the simple things in life that give contentment, and to be used to that at an early age will stand them in good stead for the future when constant going out palls!
    Gill xx

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  3. I completely agree with you Ali. I know so many round this part of the country that seem to be taking their children out for endless activities from expensive days out, to constant trips to the cinema, endless swimming activities but these kids have no idea of how to entertain themselves when they are at home. Constant moans of being bored and the parents moaning that their kids don't know how lucky they are to have all this money spent on them. It does my head! It does them the power of good to learn how to be on their own or with friends and just 'live' or play! In my experience it certainly makes for much nicer children who are far more interesting! Kids don't need constant entertaining. I am sometimes considered strange or weird for the letting my girls potter at home instead of booking up endless activities for them over the summer holidays. Aside form it being too expensive it's no substitute for being with Mum & Dad or finding things to do themselves. I'll shut up now!!! I completely, whole heartedly agree with you!!! Lol

    Jo x x x

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    1. So glad to hear you agree Jo!
      When I have uttered such things to people (so happy to not have to go near a playground these days) they look at me like I'm a freak. I make it much worse when I suggest I bake and make. You'd think hand/homemade was illegal.
      I know similar people who see every film that comes out at the cinema and pay for endless hobbies and activities. Luckily my boys don't get too worried about others having/doing more than them. We must be doing something right when getting under a blanket on the sofa or a slice of homemade chocolate cake does the trick.

      Ali xx

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  4. Pretty dang excited that I found your blog! This is Kara (me_ane_elna) from Instagram. :)

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  5. Hope a little sunshine comes your way soon! I think it's great your boys don't need to be entertained, and it's nice they have each other to play with.

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  6. This made me chuckle, Im with you we're a entertain yourself kind of family too....always have been always will be!
    Our older kiddos are amazingly creative & artistic with leadership & negotiating skills that the UN should utilize!! Hoping that the younger ones follow their steps.
    Cries of 'Im bored' are either met with a dip in the 'chore jar'{fab idea and totally recommend it} or they get on and find something to do themselves
    Nicky
    xx

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  7. I know what you mean about letting kids find there own fun, mine has three weeks off in the middle of winter so today we are going to make some things for the up comming school hill harvest then an afternoon of Wii playing.

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  8. I'm right there with you too. Mine are all big and growed up now, but they had a slide, swing and big "paddling" pool in the garden; we took them swimming once a week; to the library whenever they wanted to change books; a week away with the caravan; maybe the cinema if a film came out we all wanted to see; occasional baking; after that they were on their own....... I did get the "I'm bored" but that was usually when they got up in the morning before they'd even thought about what to do! :-D Fingers crossed the weather improves soon for all you parents. Enjoy the holidays. Jude.x

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  9. I'm with you too. I really believe that children have to learn to entertain themselves to some extent and would say that being bored occasionally is actually good for them. I feel sorry for the children that are constantly entertained - they must be exhausted and will end up incapable of just being/daydreaming! School only finished last week, and the sun is shining (for now) which is helping a lot - 3 hours in the park this afternoon and I barely had to move myself from the picnic blanket so we were all happy! Hope you're enjoying some better weather. x

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I love to hear from all you interesting folks out there so don't be shy.
Had to put the annoying word verification back on as the spam was getting silly. Forgive me! Ali

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