What if you can’t take a break over the kids’ spring break
Ah, yes, Spring Break. Another time of year when kids are out of school and parents are pulling out their hair trying to figure what the kids will do all day.
When you can’t take a break from work, the kids go nuts with screen time – and you’re not mad at that. The problem is, the little time you have to spend with the kids gets soured by how hard it is to drag them into some IRL activities.
Well, fear not. As a fellow parent who has to work through spring break, I’m here with some tips to make this year’s Spring Break be relatively battle free. Yes – we can get the kids to happily do IRL activities.
1. Location, Location, Tantrum Prevention
Let’s be real, atmosphere and location can make all the difference in any activity. Eating a peanut butter sandwich in your kitchen versus on a picnic blanket under the sun—which one suddenly tastes like a 3-star Michelin creation? .
Say you want to get your kids up and moving (with their own legs instead of controlling an avatar). You could suggest they play a game of tag in the backyard, but let’s face it—you’ll likely get an eye roll in response. Instead, propose venturing out to a new location, like a park or hiking trail they’ve never been to before. They’ll be too busy exploring and having fun to even notice they didn’t complain. Plus, the FOMO of a new location and on a new adventure will do the job of motivating them to get up and go. So, walk or drive a little further and let the excitement of the unknown work in your favor!
2. Give Yourself a Break by Enlisting the Help of Friends and Family
Playing hide and seek with new people is always more thrilling than playing with your boring old family. Plus, seeing friends from school over Spring Break is an added bonus.
But wait, it gets better. If you want to get even more peace and quiet, you can organize day-long playdates with other trusted parents. You can trade off days, so each of you gets a full day of child care. Plus, you can set conditions like a two-hour screen time limit, and your kids will still be happy because they’re with friends. It’s a win-win-win; your kids have fun, you get a break, and the other parents get to enjoy uninterrupted time as well.
3. You there – Join the Fun!
Yes, I’m talking to you. 🙂 Your kids might complain about playing yet another board game or building another pillow fort on their own, but add a silly parent to the mix, and suddenly it’s a party. It’s true, as much as your kids are becoming more independent, you are still the center of their world. Sometimes, the draw to an activity is simply that you’re doing it with them.
Whether it’s roller skating, hopscotch, or having a movie marathon, you being a part of it gives it a whole new allure. So come on, dust off those board games and show off your dance moves. Your kids (and your inner child) will thank you for it!
Well, there you have it, fellow Spring Break parents. With these three tips up your sleeve, you can finally give those screens a run for their money. From exploring new locations to enlisting the help of friends and family, to joining in on the fun with your kids, you’re armed with everything you need for some IRL fun – without pushback.
Happy Spring Breaking!
