School's Out! How to Enjoy the Summer Holidays a through a Pandemic

School is out! Normally this brings joy and relief, as we drink in the feeling of turning off alarm clocks and putting away the lunch boxes for six weeks. But this summer is a whole new challenge! After 4 months of being at home already, you're not alone if you're feeling a little apprehensive about how to enjoy the next six weeks, entertain the kids and socially distance. It's a totally new task, so we can be excused for feeling a little anxious. 

We've come up with some ideas for staying sane whilst enjoying the challenge of Summer 2020. 

1. First and foremost, reframe the summer. If you're like us, you've probably decided to say goodbye to your beach holiday this year, or perhaps your holiday company cancelled flights. Reframe it and accept this pandemic means some things are not under your control. Focus on the things that are. What does this time give you?
   
2. Plan some day trips. Personally, I like to aim for one day trip a week. It doesn't have to be far, and doesn't necessarily mean the whole day either, but a change of scenery and a sense of adventure will stimulate the kids. Choose places that have wide open spaces and restrictions/Covid Policies in place, so you can reduce any anxiety surrounding that issue. This means planning ahead as you may have to book in advance. If you'd like to take the kids to the beach, perhaps go for a week day, or a day where the weather isn't baking hot so there's less people around.
3. Plan a week at a time. Just generally, not down to the minute. A general plan of what you're going to do each day means the kids are less likely to be hanging around 'vegging' and getting irritated. This can happen in my house when they're waiting for me to give a direction to the day. Even just letting them know its an indoor activity kinda day, can help set the pace and focus.
4. Talking about indoor activities ... if you're planning a day pottering around the house, decide the night before what items/toys you might get out as invitation for the kids to play and explore. Or if you'd like to, plan an activity that you'd like to immerse yourself in too, such as craft. 
5. But don't plan your kids time to the point where every minute is accounted for. Boredom can lead to creativity and imagination in children that they can't access through structured play. Allow boredom to occur here and there, but be prepared to push through the boredom barrier! By that, I mean the complaining that will happen until their imagination kicks in. Don't be tempted to give in to the complaining and 'solve' their boredom.
6. Keep some routine to the day (if it hasn't already gone out the window during lockdown). General routine such as bedtimes, meal times etc can help children stay grounded. 
7. Set yourself realistic expectations. How much time can you give each day for playing with your children or facilitating activities? Communicate this with your child so that if you're also still working or have other commitments, they understand when your quality time will take place with them. 
8. Set social expectations for your family and ensure your children know what the family is comfortable with. If you're not ready to meet up with lots of friends through summer, despite the lighter restrictions, that's OK. For the sake of social contact for your children, perhaps you could select a friend or two that you are happy for them to meet up and play with. Let your children know what you're comfortable with ahead of visiting the park etc. Some places may be busier than you're comfortable with, so let your child know beforehand that there may be a chance you'd need to leave. This help reduce any resistance from younger children that will struggle to understand the magnitude of a navigating a COVID Summer!
9. Assign time for yourself. Remember, you've just taken your children through several months of a pandemic which may have been challenging for you. 
10. Enlist some support if you can. If you're able to do so safely and your circumstances or extended bubble allows for it, let the grandparents look after the kids so you can take some time out. Everyone will get a lot out of this! It's our wedding anniversary in August and whilst we can't do what we would normally do, we'll be heading out for a child free long walk and picnic, courtesy of my parents. 
11. Finally, make the most of the summer weather. Who knows what the rest of the year holds, so if the sun shines head outside and make local memories on bikes or walks. Explore places you've never discovered before. And if you still get 'one of those days', then shrug off the guilt and hand over the iPad.