Confessions of a Summer Parent with Anchor

Next week is the end of school and the start of the summer holidays. I always look forward to when the kids are off, it means I get to spend more time with them , but, it also means more mess, more whining and sibling battles, and more demands.

"I'm bored". "I'm hungry". "I want a drink"....  

I would love to be that parent, the one where I keep the kids perfectly entertained throughout each day of the holidays; reading stories, doing crafts, playing toys etc.  but the reality is that it isn't always like that, I just don't have the time to give them my full attention 24/7. Don't get me wrong, I spend a lot of time with them, doing arts and crafts, down the park and so on, but there are times where they need to keep themselves entertained, or sometimes I will just need 10 minutes on myself.

The biggest challenge I find is the constant demand for something to eat or something to drink.

"There is nothing to eat/drink". "When you going shopping". "I can't wait until dinner"

So through the holidays I always make it as easiest as possible for all.  I do this by making sure there is juice ready and available without me having to go to the kitchen every 10 minutes to make one.  I do this by making sure there is a large jug filled up with juice and stick it in the fridge as it will be nice and cool for them too. And, I always have lots of single juice cartons available in the cupboard.

I stock up on snacks, fruit, lots of cereal and some nice treats too. For the teens and their lunch time I also make sure we have plenty of tinned ravioli and small pizzas in the freezer.

Apart from keeping the kids well feed and juiced, to help keep them entertained throughout the holiday, I stock up on arts and crafts. My kids love doing arty bits and bobs, and play-doh keeps them occupied for hours too.

The garden -the kids love to play in the garden, so I make sure they have water guns, a mini pool and other garden toys.

Finally, for me and hubby, a nice cold glass of wine in the evening. 

“This post is an entry for BritMums Confessions of a Summer Parent Challenge, sponsored by Anchor”.