Summer Days Out
Put the Kids in Charge! There has been a lot in the press in recent months about ‘helicopter parenting’ and the fact that many parents are doing too much for their children. So how about breaking the cycle and putting the kids in charge for the day? Claire Winter makes some suggestions.
Sometimes when we are busy we can over schedule our child’s school holidays with clubs, activities, play dates and days out. So why not counteract this by taking a step back and putting the kids in charge? Children love independence so let each child in your family set the agenda for one day. Give them a budget and encourage them to start planning! Parent coach Susi Ramroop (www.susieramroop.com) says it’s important to give our kids more independence. “In an attempt to please our kids and keep them busy, we fill their schedules with activities, and run the risk of overwhelming them. Teaching them from a young age to choose a day out based on what brings the most joy exercises their decision-making muscles, and sets them up for a better future – making choices is the foundation for managing time and money effectively.”
Follow these easy steps: Put One Of Your Children in Charge
It May Be Mayhem!
Set the agenda. Let your child know that he or she has to plan an activity that is out of the house for the day, as well as how to get there and back and where and what the family is going to eat for each meal.
Remember things may not all go to plan but you can have fun, relax and enjoy not being in charge. Sometimes kids need to learn from experience that sweets for every meal is not a good idea!
Set a Budget
Keep It Up
Give your child a set cash allocation for the day. They then need to decide what to spend the budget on. The budget needs to cover the day out or activity as well as food. They might decide to buy food for a picnic, treats or eat out. Assist them to actually buy any food required.
If the experiment went well, why not introduce it as a regular feature in family life? You could have a fun day out ideas jar that everyone contributes to. The whole family can throw their ideas into a hat or jar and you pull one out every weekend.
Get Them Researching Get them to research the activity or day out they want as a starting point. Give them some tips on researching travel costs. You can assist them with this if they ask for help but try not to take over. Advise them to pre-buy the tickets or train fares online. Depending on their age they may be able to enter credit or debit card information and manage booking systems. If not, give them some help with this. If they can stretch the budget or find free things to do, they get extra brownie points!
Let Them Navigate Get them to look up the location on Googlemaps or Sat Nav if you are driving or on a map if you are walking or using public transport. They can ask you for help if necessary. Ask them to direct you to your destination. If they make mistakes, it’s all part of the learning.
Canford Summer Fair Bring the family along to Canford Summer Fair from 17 – 18 August in the spectacular grounds of Canford School. You’ll find over 100 fantastic stands selling the best crafts, gourmet food produce, hot street food, beautiful plants, garden furniture and accessories that our amazing region has to offer. With children’s entertainment areas, falconry displays and live music too, it’s the perfect place to spend a summers day. Entry is £3 for adults and under 16s free.
Susi says, “My kids love having a Mexican, Indian or Pizza night. They plan the menu and ingredients required, then we do the shopping and cooking together. When the food is ready, we watch a film. An activity doesn’t have to be expensive or complicate. We often forget that what children actually really want is to be spending time with us, not expensive days our or material things.” Helping our children develop independence is vital. We need to give them the tools to become responsible, emotionally-intelligent adults who are capable of making their own decisions. It’s not always easy to let go but when you do it’s great to see their smiles of satisfaction when they are allowed to do things their way! Please share your kids in charge days out with us on Twitter and Facebook we would love to know how you get on! Use the hashtag #familieskidsincharge.
WIN a family ticket to the New Forest & Hampshire County Show! Families Dorset has teamed up with the New Forest Show to offer one lucky reader a family day ticket for 2 adults & 2 children to this year’s event, which takes place from 30th July to 1st August. To enter the competition, email editor@familiesdorset.co.uk with your full name & address and tell us what new attraction has been added to this year’s show. Or like our Facebook page, Families Dorset Magazine, click on the pinned post at the top of the page and tell us the answer on that post. Good luck! Entries T&Cs apply. No cash or prize alternative. Full details on our website.
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21st July
10 Families Dorset familiesonline.co.uk
