It is hard to believe today is the first day of March! Where have January and February gone? With the beginning of March, spring break is only a few weeks away. For kids, the “I cannot wait until Spring Break is here” has probably already begun. For parents, the “I cannot believe Spring Break is coming” thought is looming. As a father of two kids (ages 13 and 10) who are looking forward to Spring Break, I asked my girls what they would recommend to people about surviving Spring Break. Here’s their suggestions:
· Allow your kids to sleep late.
· Have a pajama and movie day–don’t get dressed, eat snack foods, and watch movies all day.
· Don’t make your kids read or do homework during Spring Break.
· Stay at home all day.
· Invite friends to your house for a sleepover.
· Go on an overnight trip somewhere fun (not to a museum or somewhere you have to learn something).
· Play video games all day.
· Listen to music.
· Don’t make us clean our rooms.
I thought those were some pretty good ideas and know I will have to pick some of them to do during our upcoming break. Knowing that my wife and I both work full time, we have to make plans for our girls. Kim and I decided to try these options to help us survive Spring Break this year.
· Swap childcare responsibilities with friends. We will keep our friends’ kids one weekend if they will keep our girls during Spring Break.
· Have a pajama and movie day (yes, I am looking forward to this one).
· Plan a surprise getaway.
· Have a daddy/daughter and mommy/daughter night. I will take my oldest daughter out one night while Kim takes our younger daughter, then later in the week we will change and take the other one with us.
· Take your child to work with you. My girls like to go to work with me. They enjoy getting to help in my office, then put in movies and watch while I work.
· Go for a walk, bi
ke ride, or enjoy the outdoors.
· Ask your kids what they would like to do. You may be surprised what they say they would enjoy doing.
· Allow your kids to prepare a menu and cook dinner for the family (be ready for mac and cheese, and everything else you consider “unhealthy”).
· Relax and enjoy the time with your kids.
As church leaders, you may have parents looking for childcare during Spring Break. Consider providing day–long activities for the children to enjoy at church. Remember to keep the activities fun, cheap, and easy.
Have a survival tip for Spring Break? Post it for others to read.
· Allow your kids to sleep late.
· Have a pajama and movie day–don’t get dressed, eat snack foods, and watch movies all day.
· Don’t make your kids read or do homework during Spring Break.
· Stay at home all day.
· Invite friends to your house for a sleepover.
· Go on an overnight trip somewhere fun (not to a museum or somewhere you have to learn something).
· Play video games all day.
· Listen to music.
· Don’t make us clean our rooms.
I thought those were some pretty good ideas and know I will have to pick some of them to do during our upcoming break. Knowing that my wife and I both work full time, we have to make plans for our girls. Kim and I decided to try these options to help us survive Spring Break this year.
· Swap childcare responsibilities with friends. We will keep our friends’ kids one weekend if they will keep our girls during Spring Break.
· Have a pajama and movie day (yes, I am looking forward to this one).
· Plan a surprise getaway.
· Have a daddy/daughter and mommy/daughter night. I will take my oldest daughter out one night while Kim takes our younger daughter, then later in the week we will change and take the other one with us.
· Take your child to work with you. My girls like to go to work with me. They enjoy getting to help in my office, then put in movies and watch while I work.
· Go for a walk, bi
ke ride, or enjoy the outdoors.
· Ask your kids what they would like to do. You may be surprised what they say they would enjoy doing.
· Allow your kids to prepare a menu and cook dinner for the family (be ready for mac and cheese, and everything else you consider “unhealthy”).
· Relax and enjoy the time with your kids.
As church leaders, you may have parents looking for childcare during Spring Break. Consider providing day–long activities for the children to enjoy at church. Remember to keep the activities fun, cheap, and easy.
Have a survival tip for Spring Break? Post it for others to read.
