So it is Friday and almost the weekend and even though my son spends a lot of time with his dad I do still get to see him on some days and I like to spend time with my boy without too much fuss. I don't mind if he wants a bit of chocolate as I do think of him when I do my weekly shop and it is in moderation, I don't mind him watching his favourite show, tipping point and I don't mind him watching his tablet for a bit.
What is important to me is that my son is content and this blog is about parenting without a fuss:
If you know you are going to see your son or daughter in advance plan the day ahead
I like to take Henry up London, swimming (in the school holiday's) and so I do plan, and I also like playing football, going on walks along our local river and just getting out. My son has become a homebody, but staying indoors all the time is not good, so I plan ahead and make sure there are toilets near boy or he goes before we leave, and take changes of clothes, wipes and a few snacks depending how far and where we are going and items should the weather be sceptical.
Do a chart and go over with them of the different things you have planned and let them have a choice of what they would like to do
Kids love it when they can decide what to play, so have some set activities and then have a choice hour of different items you have pre-listed that they would like to do.
Also if you have autistic children they often like a routine and know what is going to happen so go through it with them.
Do a list of activities on a list or a chart and have them tick and choose which one they would like to do and you can do these when asking children to help with home tasks
So if you have a load of kids around your ankles because they are bored with what to do, create a list for each child whether by hand or by computer and have them tick which task or activity they would like to do, or another way is have them pick out of a hat and a hack you could do this with some paper and an empty tissue box.
Have your kids draw a schedule out for themselves for the week and again have them tick of items they want to do and make homeschooling fun by using games like toy bricks or wall charts to help with learning letters and numbers for example.
Teaching kids time management is brilliant for their independence and doesn't have to be strict learning, but if they have drawn a schedule for themselves there is a more of a chance they will follow it through.
Parenting can often feel like a hard task but it doesn't have to be, and I believe allowing kids to be free is a better way to support them and encourage pretend play like shops. This is a good game that teaches them about money and one of my nieces would use a mat and pretend it was a boat.
Kids love games where they can use their imagination and so why not,
Have them put on a show for you and relatives and film it to send to all their Aunties and Uncles. A great way for them to see that you are okay in the Pandemic and thinking of them at the same time.
Me and my Friend who I grew up with did this when she stayed with me at my Aunties house as kids and was going to do this for my Nan and Grandad, to say thank you for looking after us, and it is great for them to wear different costumes and be comical, sing and even do a dance routine, and even read a poem.
Let kids be kids and be as creative as they like.
I loved dressing up as a kid and would be entered into many Fancy Dress competitions, when we would go to a holiday camp or there was a school fete.
Have a kids Fancy Dress party and have a competition and you can make party food and play games like pass the parcel it doesn't necessarily have to be a birthday just having fun and making the most of the time you have together.
Kids want interaction and this pandemic can effect them in the fact they aren't seeing their friends but you could do a Zoom Kids Fancy dress party and they then still get to have that interaction.
Put out all the stops as they say, and have as much fun as possible.
See you in the next post.
Many thanks for reading,
Carrie X
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