Hey Taylor - I always look forward to a little extra family time during Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks… and then the reality of having my kids home while I still have to work sets in. Any ideas for ways to keep them busy other than TV and video games? - Kendra
Hey Kendra - These holiday breaks are a mixed bag of blessings and chaos. It’s my favorite time of year, but I’ve also been known to lose my mind trying to work, Christmas shop, and entertain three kids at the same time. Fortunately, kids are brilliant and resourceful, as long as you can set them up for success. Here are a few things you can try during those wonderful yet long days off from school.
Chores with purpose. Obviously, a child won’t be very happy if they’re forced to do chores all vacation. However, a lot of things that need to get done around the house are specific to the holiday festivities your children enjoy. Giving them a little ownership over the preparation (read: cooking and cleaning) that goes into holiday feasts and decorations can be really rewarding for a youngster with time on their hands. Have them get the box of Christmas decorations out of the attic, or help prepare the Thanksgiving stuffing. It checks a task off your list and gives your child an important, holiday-related responsibility.
Crafts. ‘Tis the season for making paper snowflakes and hand-shaped turkeys. Find a YouTube video with some kind of DIY Christmas ornaments and set your kids loose. If it’s a fun project with enough materials, it’ll keep them busy for hours, and you’ll get something to display out of it. You might get a little resistance at first, but if you emphasize that you really want the finished product—not just the time spent drawing, gluing, and cutting—you’re more likely to get some buy-in.
Work. When the Christmas commercials start airing, most kids start thinking about all the things they want to buy for themselves. This can be a great time of year to encourage your kids to find ways to earn their own spending money. Whether it’s odd jobs around the house, shoveling the neighborhood driveways, or picking up shifts with a business that does seasonal work, those hours away from school can be used to make a little cash. When the work commitment isn’t more than a few hours over a few days, it’s a great way for kids to take on extra responsibility without giving up all their free time.
It’s easy to waste holidays staring at screens, and there’s no shame in taking a little relaxation time. However, if you can come up with a few activities or job opportunities, you and your kids will stay sane and productive over the break. Thanks for the question!
