What the School Holidays Taught Me
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1. Its okay to leave your children in their PJS ..all day. If it means they won’t have a screaming tantrum every time you get them dressed then so be it. It will make bedtime routine easier too. Or in my sons case, leave him naked. It will only be a matter of time before he starts to undress again.
2. Throw out all notions of beauty and physical maintenance. Greasy un-groomed hair with 2 months of regrowth WILL become a fashion statement.
3. Cbeebies is your best friend. Peppa Pig on repeat is your second best friend.
4. One must
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be creative in finding activities for them. If you don’t think you can manage another exhausting day out, then the simple pleasures of watching the garbage trucks go down the street should entertain your children for at least 10 minutes.
5. Be nice to your in-laws. They may just offer to take the kids off your hands for a couple of hours. BE EXTRA NICE for an overnight stay.
6. Find a reliable babysitter and be extra nice to him or her too.. Hopefully she/he will decide to stay on with you even though your children can be little horrors.
7.
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Your house may look like its been burgled, but let them make as much mess as possible. That way when your husband finally notices – he might feel a bit sorry for you and tidy it all up.
8. Invite yourself over to anyones house. That way your kids can make a mess there. Bring cake and treats and you may be invited over again.
9. USE BRIBERY – EVERY DAY! create a cupboard of delightful sugar-filled treats, stickers, kinder eggs, whatever works. Keep some in your handbag too. Whatever stops your child from having another meltdown.
10. Keep snacks
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and drinks spread around the house at child level, that way when your child asks you for a drink for the 50th time that morning, he or she can get it herself.
11. Order your shopping online! If I have to do another shopping trip with my monsters in tow, I fear I may leave them in the carpark.
12. Forget feeding your children healthy nutritious home cooked lunches and dinners. Bring on fish fingers, peas and chips, plain pasta, cheese sandwiches, pizzas, or even those cookies you baked at an attempt to be a wholesome mother. Anything that can be
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made in under 10 mins is just perfect. They will survive.
13. Make sure you order lots of wine. This is to be enjoyed every evening. And as an Australian would say : scull it down if you have to.
14. Keep a calendar and tick off each day. Just think you are one day closer to freedom.
15. Pat yourself on the back. Every day. Your kids are still alive and none of them have come to serious bodily harm.
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Christabel Saul - 24 Sep 15
1. Its okay to leave your children in their PJS ..all day. If it means they won’t have a screaming tantrum every time you get them dressed then so be it. It will make bedtime routine easier too. Or in my sons case, leave him naked. It will only be a matter of time before he starts to undress again.
2. Throw out all notions of beauty and physical maintenance. Greasy un-groomed hair with 2 months of regrowth WILL become a fashion statement.
3. Cbeebies is your best friend. Peppa Pig on repeat is your second best friend.
4. One must be creative in finding activities for them. If you don’t think you can manage another exhausting day out, then the simple pleasures of watching the garbage trucks go down the street should entertain your children for at least 10 minutes.
5. Be nice to your in-laws. They may just offer to take the kids off your hands for a couple of hours. BE EXTRA NICE for an overnight stay.
6. Find a reliable babysitter and be extra nice to him or her too.. Hopefully she/he will decide to stay on with you even though your children can be little horrors.
7. Your house may look like its been burgled, but let them make as much mess as possible. That way when your husband finally notices – he might feel a bit sorry for you and tidy it all up.
8. Invite yourself over to anyones house. That way your kids can make a mess there. Bring cake and treats and you may be invited over again.
9. USE BRIBERY – EVERY DAY! create a cupboard of delightful sugar-filled treats, stickers, kinder eggs, whatever works. Keep some in your handbag too. Whatever stops your child from having another meltdown.
10. Keep snacks and drinks spread around the house at child level, that way when your child asks you for a drink for the 50th time that morning, he or she can get it herself.
11. Order your shopping online! If I have to do another shopping trip with my monsters in tow, I fear I may leave them in the carpark.
12. Forget feeding your children healthy nutritious home cooked lunches and dinners. Bring on fish fingers, peas and chips, plain pasta, cheese sandwiches, pizzas, or even those cookies you baked at an attempt to be a wholesome mother. Anything that can be made in under 10 mins is just perfect. They will survive.
13. Make sure you order lots of wine. This is to be enjoyed every evening. And as an Australian would say : scull it down if you have to.
14. Keep a calendar and tick off each day. Just think you are one day closer to freedom.
15. Pat yourself on the back. Every day. Your kids are still alive and none of them have come to serious bodily harm.
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Devoted Mummy to two boys. Freelance Stylist + Costume Designer. Obsessive Hoarder. Shopping Addict. DIY Obsessed. Blogger at The Secret Hoarder. Professional Kid Wrangler the rest of the time.
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