But wait… the kids have 6 weeks, yep SIX WEEKS, off school! How quickly the anticipation of the fun of summer is lost in the pressured rush of figuring out child care, camps, and whether or not a vacation is financially possible this year. But it’s important to think, for a moment, about what opportunities summer does bring, so let’s focus on the positive for the time being…

There are chances to play more fully.

As one child psychologist, Patty Wipfler, once said “… for children, the chance to play all day, every day is a wonderful thing”. In our household, the need for a protracted period of time with no pressure of school is abundantly clear! Our little one looks like she is in dire need of some free time, where she has nothing to perform for, except by her own choosing.

Personally I’m looking forward to those water fights in the garden, playing hide and seek, building cubbies and staying at the park or the beach until it’s dark (or too cold to stay in the water!). As far as I’m concerned, these are the things I look forward to; the kinds of play that don’t require electricity, or expensive purchases and that just need a bit of imagination and playful attitude to make a success.

There are chances to learn in unusual ways.

When you have a toddler nearly ready to use the toilet, you can allow him or her to roam the back yard naked, learning to master bodily functions in a place where there can be no “accident.” If your child is afraid of the dark, you can set up a tent in the garden and sleep outside, to see what it’s like to spend the night under the light of the moon. And what better time than these Summer holidays to address fears of the water. Summer means that fresh new things can happen, usual boundaries can flex, and parents can relax a bit more around play that one wouldn’t allow when life has to be more structured.

What happens when you run out of ideas?

OK, some summer days can lose their sparkle. There are always going to be occasions when you aren’t feeling as enthused as usual or when your child feels listless, and says they are bored. You’ll notice that there actually are things they could do, and people they could play with, but they are missing that sense of adventure that can turn a simple piece of paper and a scissors into an experiment with hat making, or airplane crafting, or cut out design. The feeling inside of them is actually the problem, not any lack of things to do.

So rather than become irritated that they don’t appreciate all the things they have, or all the time you’ve spent trying to make them happy, move in close. Lie down with them, or next to them. Don’t try to solve the problem of what to do, but instead be happy that you can just stay at home and enjoy each other’s company for a while. If you want, after just being with them for a while, you can begin suggesting things that you could do. Any idea (silly or serious) will do. You’re not trying to solve the problem of what to do. You’re trying to get a bit of laughter going, and then a bit more, and then even more. Your silly ideas, and the release of laughter, will hopefully jump-start your minds and soon you’ll stumble across an idea that sticks. And if you still can’t think of anything, have a look at our fun stuff archives… there’s lot of neat ideas in there!

Staying on good terms.

If you (like me) are a parent that also holds down a job, then you have to remember that these few weeks off work are cramming in a lot of home and family time. Such intensity is unusual and takes getting used to. It’s therefore quite normal for you and the kids to become irate with each other at times. Don’t let that concern you. Your aim is to not let the pressure of the situation be reflected in your actions. Even if you are feeling hot and bothered, smile nicely and put your frustrations to the side. Remember that you can take a “time out” if you have to.

If it’s your child that’s acting up, let them. A good cry is the way many children clear their minds of emotional sludge, and regain their enthusiasm for life. Stay with them, listen to what a dumb day they are having, and don’t get offended if they tell you how stupid you are for whatever reason! To really get the awful feelings out, they need a safe person to serve as their target… and hopefully that’s you! Don’t worry, I promise that this is not their full and final evaluation of your parenting! It’s not. It’s just what they need to do to get the tears going strong, so they can come back to you and feel their love for you again when they have finished.

Vacations provide the chance to get connected.

The Summer holiday for us means vacation time. Whilst we can’t take annual leave for the full 6 weeks holiday period, we religiously try and get several weeks off when we can have prolonged contact with our daughter. Be aware though that this prolonged contact can sometimes result in a few insecurities coming to the fore. For example, when the family comes together and spends extended time with each other, a child’s limbic system, the seat of his or her emotions, gets the signal that life is better than usual. Feelings that don’t correspond to the closeness, the ease, or the sense of relaxation pop up, ready to be released. Those feelings, which can be held in storage for days or months or years, don’t necessarily match the present circumstances, so don’t be put out. If you’re not ready for your children’s emotional cleansing sessions, you’ll be irritated for sure. But just remember that your child’s upsets are the beginning of a summer growth spurt, and are a healthy sign that they love you and trust you to care.

So now that you know what to expect in terms of Summer behaviour, your task is to have a stash of fun activities that you and your kids can engage in over the vacation. If you are short of ideas, check out our suggestions of free fun things to do or our ideas of 15 activities for under a dollar.

Have fun!

If your child is anything like ours, then you probably know what I’m talking about when I say that kids seem to have boundless resources of energy… and channeling that into fun activities is just as important for your sanity as it is theirs! Well, never fear, as I’m going to share with you the things we have done or thought of doing to keep the “I’m bored” shouts from entering your household.

Here are some of the free (or nearly free) things that we had fun with:

Have a picnic at the park. This is so easy to do and the options are endless. Find somewhere picturesque (near a lake or a river is always nice), take along some outdoor toys (a football and a Frisbee are our favourites), and some food… and you’ve everything you need for a great day out.

Go to the beach. An obvious one, I guess, but a winner every time for us! Seriously, though, pack a bucket, spade, sandwiches and your swimmers and you can’t help but have fun. A ball, a kite, and a Frisbee are going for company too.

Explore local museums and art galleries. Quite often, these cost nothing to enter and there’s always something of its kind close by. You can be extra inventive and design “fact finding missions” for your kids once you are there.

Go to local fairs or car-boot sales. Do a bit of research on the internet and find out what’s going on near you and spend the morning exploring one. You can make it into a full bargain hunt by giving your child $5-$10 and seeing what they come back with! Most car boots open early in the morning, and they’re a good way for children to spend a couple of hours.

Visit the national parks. Another easy one to do that takes minimal planning and can easily fill a day (or two).

Here are some “stay-at-home” fun activities for the family:

Build a cubby. Our kid adores making a cubby house during the day (and then usually wants to sleep in it at night). It’s like camping, but indoors. You can every doing a sing song (don’t light a fire in the house though!) and toast marshmallows over your cooker.

Plant something together.  Even if you have no garden, you can have so much fun collecting recyclable pots, decorating them, filling them with potting mix and planting seeds.  My advice is to do this at the beginning of the holidays and choose something fast growing so that the kids can water them and watch them grow over the holidays.

Kids Bedroom Make-over. Every kids room needs a sort out once in a while and a new ‘look’. School holidays are the perfect opportunity. Search the op shops and internet for cheap ways to update their room.  www.designdazzle.com is a great starting point for gorgeous ideas and links to other sites but even just moving things around is great fun to do with kids.

Have a house party. Invite some of the friends over and get them to bring one plate/dish of food (unless you don’t mind doing all the catering!). If you are sat at home, at a lose end, wondering what to do… the chances are some of your friends are doing exactly the same! So give them a call and you can all sit around wondering what to do together (whilst the kids trash the house in the background) J

Put on a fashion show. Our little one loves dressing up. And dressing up in mum’s clothes is a dream come true for her! So get them to put on a fashion show for you (and join in if you are game). Remember to take a healthy dose of humour with you.

Build paper mache pieces. Honestly, this is one of the most versatile crafts around! It’s so easy (and cheap to make the paste) and you can create almost anything. The best part is you probably have everything you need to create your paper mache masterpieces laying around your home right now. The kids will love this one. www.papiermache.co.uk

Cook and bake at home. The holiday season may also be the perfect time for you to unleash your inner chef. Plan some recipes that you have always wanted to try and cap it off by daring yourself to bake even just a simple yet yummy chocolate cake.

So there you go, plenty of easy things to plan and do, which aren’t going to cost much (if anything) and that are bound to be fun for everyone. The trick is to keep an open mind and be creative.

A lot of these things can be thought of and done on the day, but sometimes a bit of preparation can always help. For example, I like to get the family involved in the decision making, but it helps if I come to the table with a list of 4 or 5 ideas that everyone can then “buy into”.

I hope you too can find as much fun engaging in these activities as we do.

Happy parenting!

Why go green?

let me give you a couple of facts that may surprise you and even spurn you to action.

Did you know:

That Americans alone purchase 5 billion batteries a year
Those batteries will cause 146,000 Tons of waste each year

Many of these batteries come from toys so “how can we – as individual parents – make small decisions that have a positive impact on the environment?” Well, one such decision is about the toys or games you buy your children. It’s a little cliché but true nonetheless, your children and your children’s children will inherit the world that we create today. You know you’re going to give them a toy every now and then anyways, so why not buy your children environmentally friendly toys? Besides, green toys are so “in” this year that they come in all shapes and sizes, without chemicals or additives.

Eco-friendly toys are made from natural, safe materials which do not harm kids or the environment. So other than just benefiting the environment, if your child is at the age when they want to chew on anything and everything, you’ll want to be sure your child’s playthings are green and healthy!

How to go green?

You’re probably thinking that a) you’re not sure where to buy eco-friendly toys, and b) that these toys are going to be expensive. Here’s the good news: going green can actually save you lots of money… and it’s really easy to do when you know how.

Before you ask, here’s a little tick list to help you on the way:

1. The first thing to consider is whether you really need to buy something new

There are many unloved and unused toys and games in homes across Sydney. Rather than collecting dust, these might be donated to charity shops, sold at garage sales or Freecycled. When you next want to treat a child, you might consider collecting a toy from one of these sources.

Freecycling

I’ve only just been introduced to “Freecycling” and I think it’s a brilliant idea… and it’s FREE! Basically, you join an on-line community initiative that allows people to give away items that are no longer being used. Where I live (Sydney) there are many local Freecycle communities, but you don’t have to be in Sydney. You can find the community closest to you at www.freecycle.org. Join up (it’s all free) and then watch the messages arrive in your in-box. People give away everything on these lists, from Harry Potter dolls to bicycles to doll’s houses. If you are interested in an item, email a reply and wait for an answer. The owner looks at all responses and then chooses a recipient. In turn Freecycle offers you a chance to create some more space in your own home and reduce the impact on the environment caused by excessive manufacturing and waste processing.

Toy libraries

Something you may not have even considered, but does your child need to own a toy in order to enjoy it? Probably not. In fact, if I think of the number of “fad” toys that have come and gone I wish I’d thought about borrowing toys first from a toy library (exactly like borrowing books from normal library). Hey, if it turns out your child absolutely loves a particular toy, you can always see if someone is giving one away at your local freecycle community or – failing that – you could even purchase it!

Toy libraries are located in loads of places, google “toy library” in your area and you’re bound to get back a bunch of results.

2. The next thing you should remember is to buy good quality that will last

Hand in hand with the re-use mantra, is a commitment to buying good quality toys and games. A good quality toy will last for generations and can be re-used much more readily than a toy that will break or crack. Use the internet to read parent reviews or manufacturers’ product information. A toy that can be used in a variety of ways – an open ended toy, with no set answer or outcome – will foster imagination and invite more play. An age-appropriate game that requires higher level thinking or the use of strategic skills will engage young people for much longer than a game that is too easy or one dimensional.

3. Consider eco manufacturers

If the time has come to buy something new, there are some toy manufacturers that are seriously considering the environment in all aspects of their business. Look for items that are:
 
•    made with (at least some) recycled material content
•    made with wood that is FSC certified – comes from sustainably managed forests
•    made from materials in abundant supply, like bamboo and post-latex producing rubber wood
•    certified safe for children
•    certifiably organic
•    biodegradable
•    presented with minimal or recycled packaging
•    manufactured by a company with 14001ISO endorsement
•    Fair Trade certified
•    operated without the need for batteries
•    PVC, BPA, lead, Phthalate and petroleum free (including paint and glue used in packaging)
•    good quality – increasing the opportunity for re-use

The internet provides a world of information about eco-friendly toys, and there are several retailers in Australia that offer a range of toys that fulfil this criteria – including second hand and on-line toy shops. Think carefully when you next buy a toy and take a close look at the small print!

Please remember that this is just a guide. The important thing here is to be active and engaged with your toddler; interacting with them in a variety of interesting ways. At the end of the day, you are the best example when it comes to getting your child moving. Even just talking to your toddler about activities plants a seed. It’s positive reinforcement every time a toddler hears you talk about exercise (both physical and mental). If you’re not very active then chances are your toddler won’t be either. Lead by example and let your toddler see you engaged in activity.

So when you are reading this, please don’t take it as gospel! These are “rules of thumb” and you shouldn’t be concerned if your child isn’t hitting these milestones like clockwork. However, by the age of 2, differences should have evened out so if by then your toddler is extremely irritable, seldom smiles or makes few gestures or sounds then there is reason to be concerned. I imagine, though, that regular visits to the paediatrician will have already spotted early developmental problems by this stage anyway.

Back to these milestones. Once your toddler reaches the age of two, as hand-eye coordination improves, most toddlers enjoy activities such as puzzles, building bricks, scribbling and colouring. By the age of three, language skills develop rapidly. Reciting nursery rhymes, singing songs and reading books are especially suited to and exciting for a child of this age. Now let’s break it down a little further.

By the end of month 14 a child typically:

• Takes two or three steps unassisted or may walk
• If walking, may be learning to run
• Stands alone well
• Puts an object into a container
• Stacks two bricks
• Responds to one-step spoken commands without gestures
• Speaks one to six words other than ‘ma-ma’ and ‘da-da’
• Uses jargoning (sounds like a foreign language)

By the end of month 16 a child typically:

• Walks well
• Drinks from a cup
• Scribbles
• Points to items wanted
• Communicates affection, pleasure and excitement
• Begins to understand limits
• Imitates activities

By the end of month 18 a child typically:

• Runs
• Enjoys climbing
• Understands some sentences
• Points to nose, eyes and mouth
• Walks while carrying toys
• Says at least a dozen words besides ‘ma-ma’ and ‘da-da’
• Feeds self with a spoon or fork
• Begins to join words
• Bends over easily to pick up toys
• Gains some control over bowel and bladder
• Enjoys small riding toys
• Shows a preference for certain toys
• Finds it difficult to share
• Explores away from parents and carers

By the end of month 20 a child typically:

• Walks up steps
• Speaks between six and 50 words
• Refers to him/herself by name
• Shows interest in caring for him/herself
• Builds a tower of two to four bricks
• Points to one or more body parts when asked
• Points out pictures in a book
• Removes some clothing

By the end of month 24 a child typically:

• Jumps and runs well
• Kicks and throws a ball
• Goes up and down stairs by him/herself
• Builds tower using six bricks
• Identifies two to four pictures in a book by pointing
• Identifies one item in a book with words
• Speaks around 50 words (some variation is normal)
• Can be understood half the time when speaking
• Uses some two-word combinations
• ’Feeds’ dolls
• Identifies some body parts
• May brush teeth (with help)
• Puts on a piece of clothing

By the end of month 30 a child typically:

• Points to four identified pictures
• Uses more than 50 single words
• Combines words often
• Follows a two-step verbal command
• Names six body parts
• Identifies one to four pictures verbally

By the end of 36 months a child typically:

• Alternates feet when walking up and down steps
• Dresses and undresses self (with marginal success)
• Uses a pedal tricycle
• Follows a two- or three-part command
• Communicates with four- or five-word sentences
• Uses pronouns
• Most spoken words are comprehensible to others
• Understands most speech
• Interested in ‘pretend’ play
• Socialises well with others
• Is often ready to begin toilet training

Remember that your toddler is developing at an incredible rate. During these months and years you will watch him go from a tentative toddler to a confident kid with a growing awareness of his/her environment. He/she will gain new cognitive, emotional and physical skills as they transition from a dependent baby to an independent child. It’s an exciting time filled with new adventure… above all else, make sure you enjoy it as much as your toddler will!