Enjoy the holidays with the kids

6 April 2015 11:42 am

By Sirohmi Gunesekera

(Teacher, Attorney-at-Law and Researcher into Human Relations and the Family Unit)

Granted you have to cook more but come on, discuss with your kids a possible menu and rope them in to work in the kitchen. You don’t have to give them three course meals. If everyone joins in, you could even give them a cheese sandwich followed by iced coffee!

Hamburger

Face it, if you take your kids out for a meal you would be buying them a hamburger or fried chicken. How about going to the market and buying three legs or thighs of chicken and frying them at home? Forget the big advertisements that say a true mum’s duty is to feed her kids. If the holidays have started, let the children sleep till late. When they get up, call them for a confab. Or find a time when their father is also at home. Ask around for ideas of what to do during the holidays.

Everything

Forget the old idea that the mother as the housewife has to do everything! Perhaps you cannot afford to go on a trip. Anyway, during Avurudu time most holiday resorts are closed. Now is the time to really get to know your kids. Usually, parents know only their children’s eating habits and their food preferences. How about finding out what your child is really thinking? No, I am not talking about a mum or dad telling the child what to do. Take a child out on to the patio and sit down with him/ her on an armchair. Make yourselves comfortable. Or get him or her to snuggle up to you in the bed. Then quietly ask him or her, “What are you thinking about right now?” Your child may be surprised for you have never before wondered about what goes on inside his or her head!

Ask

Then ask your child what he or she would like to do as it is holiday time. Do try to avoid making a list of Things To Be Done. “No, what would you like to do, darling?” Do you have a swing in the garden? Forget breakfast and let your child get some fresh air as you push her with her hair flying! Spending quality time with your child is important. Don’t switch on the TV and let the child entertain himself as you think by watching advertisements. Talk to your kid and ask him about his friends and how they enjoy themselves.

Frank

A parent must be frank when talking to a child and not hesitate even to tell him or her problems in his office. You could simplify so that the child does not simply think of the father as a money-making machine. You could gradually incorporate sex education while talking to your child so that he or she will learn about the birds and the bees. Ideally, mum and dad should share these ideas with the child and tell her not to allow anyone to touch her body which the swimsuit normally covers.

Important

What is important is to enjoy life while your kids are growing up. Share household chores and make family life fun!