The Half Term Juggle

For the school mums out there, half term is upon us already. It seems that no sooner do the pumpkins arrive than we are thinking about what to do with our little ones during the school break. For the working mums, the work-life balance seems somewhat harder than carving a smile on a giant orange vegetable!

There are so many local distractions for the children in half term. If you need some specific childcare in the holiday, it seems the local sport and leisure centres provide much needed welcome relief for the kids to let off steam. Google the words - ‛half term' and it will spill out a variety of events over the country. Contact your local sports centre and they will have a calendar of events. The libraries also offer some great reading or computer groups, www.peoplesnet.work.gov.uk will help you find your nearest library.

Thank goodness for Halloween - it's a great distraction during the half term week. Check out your local garden centre for some great variety of pumpkins and displays. It's a good opportunity to decorate the house and if you haven't done so already, there's nothing like a good fairy cake baking session to ease out the days. Have a ‛dressing up' day - you'll be amazed just how long you can keep up being a wicked witch to your children!

At this time of year, the children are often very tired, especially if it's their reception year first term. Depending on your child's energy levels, try not to get carried away with a calendar of events for the week. If you are at home, there is nothing wrong with staying put and playing all day. So often we feel obliged to have to ‛do' something with our children. Left alone, they often find something to ‛do' by themselves - boredom often leads to creativity - not just the switching on of the television.

Working mums whose children may be at a pre-school, will need extra child care if they still have to go to work. www.direct.gov.uk has information on childcare and www.letssharecare.com is a site offering affordable ways of care for children in local communities. Good old grandma can be a wonderful option if she's available toyou and don't rule out feeling cheeky and asking your friends to help with the odd day. Very often extra children in the house can be easier all round - depending of course, on their ages! Mums today are often wary of asking for help as we are supposed to be able to cope with it all - and more. We are all in it together and you'll be surprised at the offers of help if you just let friends know you may need them.

Happy half term and try not to eat too many chocolate pumpkins........