28/9/2021 Summer with the KidsFor various reasons, at short notice I ended up taking August and part of September off, primarily to spend with the kids over their summer holidays and get them both settled back into school. It’s the first time I’ve had the privilege/burden of doing it. So, what did I learn? It’s not like you imagine it’s going to be
No endless time spent on the beach, or in wide open country landscapes, in some Instagram impression of real life. No it’s lots of time spent trying to get them out of bed, off screens and out of the house, as you have every suggestion of what to do shot down in flames It’s bloody hard work If that isn’t enough then there’s sorting out the endless arguing between the kids, and (as you’re the one off work) ensuring all of the house work gets done, and carrying out all of the other household chores. It’s not a holiday! You quickly run out of ideas and can easily get into a rut If there’s something they like doing, will agree to, and gets them out of the house then you repeat it in the hope that it keeps working Screens rule their lives It’s amazing how children who were so satisfied just a few years ago by a little water and sand now want nothing else than to spend their time (and your money!) on on-line games. It’s a constant battle to limit screen time and try to open their horizons, whilst at the same time guiltily allowing it to get some time to get stuff done McDonalds is a really good bribe “Yes I know it isn’t your first choice of what you want to do, but we could come back via the Golden Arches…”. I even pretended to myself that it’s educational, as my daughter once read the book she was given with her Happy Meal (still a bit shocked about that) I’d do it all again in the blink of an eye Yep, having only done it once, I can still see the total privilege of having the summer off to spend time with kids who within a few years will be off doing their own thing. I think I'm closer to them, and hopefully that will pay dividends during the hard times in the school year to come. I’ll really treasure this summer - even if my memories (in time) might erase some of the low points! Comments are closed.
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AuthorRichard Marshall is an Accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator with over 25 years experience as a Litigation Solicitor, as well as being a qualified Solicitor-Advocate. He is the founder of Striving to Settle, through which he works as a mediator and provides negotiation training. www.strivingtosettle.co.uk Archives
August 2022
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