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| | A Gloucestershire charity is offering timely tips for stressed parents who are feeling frazzled with more than a month of the school holidays still to go. Complicated childcare arrangements, financial pressures and trying to keep bored youngsters occupied during the long summer break can lead to many mums and dads dreading this time of year. So Stroud-based Parentline Plus and the BBC Gloucestershire joined forces to stage a 'summer holiday survival' day in Gloucester on Friday July 30. Stressful and depressing Parents bringing up their children alone and separated families in disagreement over where children will spend their time, can also find the holidays stressful and depressing.
Mums, dads and carers may also feel guilty about the limited amount of time they have available with their children, or feel under pressure to take the kids on holidays or days out they cannot really afford.
The charitys parenting experts were at the BBC Learning Centre in Eastgate Street, Gloucester, to offer fresh ideas and top tips on how to make family life less stressful over the summer, plus information on their free support services that are available all year round. Parentline Plus runs a round-the-clock free helpline (0808 800 2222) for parents at the end of their tether, a website and email advice service and courses at venues across Gloucestershire on a range of parenting issues. These include preparing for and coping with teenagers, dealing with tantrums, resolving family conflict, helping youngsters feel good about themselves, bringing up children after splitting up and being a stepparent Lynne Sealey of Parentline Plus said: "The long holiday can be a particularly stressful time for families. Working parents have to sort out childcare while those at home feel under pressure to keep the kids entertained, which can be expensive. More calls are made to our helpline at this time of year than at any other time so we want to highlight the range of support we can offer when family life gets tough." Parentline Plus is organising courses and workshops in Gloucester, Stroud, Newent, Tetbury, Cinderford, Coleford, Mitcheldean, Dursley, Cirencester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury, from August to December. For more information or to book a place call Parentline Plus on 01453 768160. 9 Top Tips Here are top tips from Parentline Plus for summer survival
Top Tip One
Dont try and fill every minute of every day, it will only exhaust you and the kids dont need that much stimulation. If you work or have other commitments remember quality is more important than quantity.
Top Tip Two
Look for what childcare options are available in your area. Some parents share childcare with friends, relatives and each other, whilst others balance it with kids clubs and family centres. A variety of options makes child care more flexible for you.
Top Tip Three
Just relax and try and enjoy it yourself, its your holiday too. Dont feel guilty if you pack the kids off for the day, or get a sitter in for a night out. Other adults can bring in fresh entertainment for the kids too and it gives everyone a break.
Top Tip Four
Give your kids a chance to get bored. How many times do you hear kids whining, Im bored? Its okay for them to get bored! Give their imaginations a chance to come up with ideas to fill in those long hours. If you are trying to balance the needs of a range of ages get them to come up with ideas have a family meeting to decide.
Top Tip Five
Make sure that young people get unstructured chill-out time. They need it as much as adults. They arent being aimless or lazy if they spend their free time hanging around, watching TV, playing on the computer, listening to music or even not getting out of bed until lunchtime!
Top Tip Six
Dont expect your teenager to want to spend the whole holidays playing happy families. They may well want to spend time doing their own thing, but may be happy enough to spend a day or two with the family.
Top Tip Seven
If you have to leave your older children alone for any period give them clear instructions about what to do if there is a problem. Leave a list of people you trust who they can go to.
Top Tip Eight
Plan contact arrangements, ensure regular contact or just simply take time out to talk. For separated parents and their children the lack of routine, separate holidays, or not seeing a parent at all can be difficult.
Top Tip Nine
Try to get back into a routine. Late nights and long lazy days are what holidays are all about but try and ease them back into routine as the holiday comes to an end. That way, bedtimes wont be such a struggle when they do go back to school.
If you are a parent or carer and would like more information and/or support you can call Parentline Plus' 24-hour free, confidential helpline on 0808 800 2222, or go to the website www.parentlineplus.org.uk
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The summer hols can be a demanding time for mums and dads so we have some advice and useful top tips to help them cope...
