Ten Minute Family Goes on Vacation.

Family Activities

The end of the year, when children are on school vacation, is often quite challenging for parents. In some cases, they manage to reconcile their work vacations with those of the children, while in others, the impossibility of being with them causes concern, since the parents don't go on vacation.

Providing security, health, hygiene and food are the most obvious functions of parents, who also play a fundamental role in transmitting norms and values, which act to define the child's reality. The way children are raised emphasizes certain aspects of the world in the detriment of others. This emphasis is not always conscious, but it does have an important impact on our children's development and it is therefore important to evaluate the stimulus given to the child in conjunction with the individual values of each family.

These patterns can be observed from the very beginning of a child's life. There are, for example, babies who remain in their room in a quieter environment, without the company of other people, while others live from an early age in a noisier environment, surrounded by the company of other children and adults, which can help the baby adapt to more hectic situations and environments.

Returning to the idea already proposed in previous articles, of including quality in the relationship between parents and children (in the articles in the “Family 10 minutes” series), let's reflect on the vacation period, thinking about how to adapt the new routine to the constant need for family work. Using creativity in everyday activities, when parents are also on vacation, can become a great program. Cooking, for example, with the child's participation, obviously always taking care of their safety, becomes possible if we have more time to invest, since we don't have the pressures of schedules.

Scheduling outings together with the children, sharing interests, is also a very pleasant way of interacting and learning, especially when the schedule provides opportunities to try out new situations in which the tastes of everyone involved are valued. Remember, you shouldn't pretend to like what you don't, but experimenting is important and demonstrating this to your child is the most effective way of teaching them that you can't dislike what you don't know.

Parents who continue to work during their children's vacations can also get creative and be present with them, even if not physically. Little notes left at home, phone calls during the day and messages on the computer are some suggestions, but you can certainly come up with many more together! Also remember to accept the children's suggestions as to how this presence could take place. As for the weekends, there's nothing to stop you taking advantage of them, even if you continue to work during the week. How about planning “holiday-like” activities for the whole family?