SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Love them, hate them or both!

Six weeks stretch out ahead like a taut elastic band.

How to keep our little darlings occupied and happy before we ourselves descend into crisis mode, counting the days until school starts again.

This reporter was monumentally pleased not to have the 6.30am alarm and the daily battlezone to get my brood out of the door.

The relief can be short-lived though once the squabbles start and the why, why, why can’t I be on my Ipad dawn till dusk?
There’s no easy answer.

I find it easier to plan ahead with a few activities up your sleeve..

Get the kids to write a list of things they’d like to do over the holidays.

In my house, this normally involves striking off half of the list, mainly trips to Disneyland or Space Flights.

Breaking up the holidays can make it all the more bearable.

My kids love the beach.

We come from a town with pebbles and a bracing sea temperature, so sand and warm water is infinitely preferable.
Wear them out!

Climb Tomaree Head.

They’ll be too puffed out and exhausted to squabble; plus it has the bonus of keeping them fit.

Down days are fine too.

Don’t feel pressured to do something every single day. Your sanity is important.

Kids need to learn to amuse themselves and not expect expensive activities every single day.

Take a camping trip.

My children are happiest when convening with nature.

Who wouldn’t feel invigorated listening to a gently flowing river, listening to bird song and no internet connection?

Check Tomaree Library for events happening locally and activities they run too.

For special treats there is Toboggan Hill Park, Go Karts Go, Sand Dune Adventures or Putt-Putt Golf.

There are various walks – Boat Harbour, Big Rocky off Gan Gan Road and the lovely koala habitat walk at Tanilba Bay.

For water fun, Tomaree Pool and water slides plus many glorious beaches are on offer.

Don’t forget to use your Entertainment Book vouchers and Lucky Locals Cards.

When all else fails, put a DVD on and iron the uniforms!