Schools Out

School's out for summer and parents are now faced with six long weeks of trying to keep the kids occupied. As anyone who has ever done it knows, it's not an easy task to keep kids busy and siblings free from bickering. For many the next six weeks will drag on and on.

Children need to understand that you cannot be there for them 24/7 structuring their lives and keeping them entertained. It's important for a child's development that they are given time to create their own amusement, develop their own interests and use their imaginations. However it's also a good idea to have some activities or outings arranged, that you could do together as a family or that your child can attend alone.

Many areas have local play schemes that your children could attend for a part of the holidays. There are also sport or craft based activity weeks available in some areas which would give your child some structured time learning a new skill or building on an established skill.

If you are on a tight budget over summer then you may need to be a bit more creative. You could organise a mini sports day for younger children in your local park with some cheap outdoor equipment, take your children on picnics – weather permitting, or use various items from your home to create tents and dens and let their imaginations run wild.

One of the chief complaints from parents over the summer holidays, along with the bickering, is the mess and clutter children create when they are home from school. It's never too early to teach your children how to keep their bedrooms tidy and items such as under bed shoe storage bags and clear shoe boxes can be used not just for keeping your children's shoes in order but can double up as useful under bed storage for small toys and other items children keep in their bedrooms.