The school holidays can be fun and exciting for the children but equally tiring and painful (not to mention expensive) for the parents. For children who have parents who suffer with arthritis and other chronic conditions the school holidays won't be as action packed as those children who have healthy parents.
I constantly worry that I am failing my children because I can't do all the activities an able bodied parent can do and that my children are missing out. In the run up to the school holidays myself and my hubby make a plan of what we are going to do and try to space them out so I have a chance to pace myself.......and recover.
Money is an issue for everyone these days. I have recently had my contract terminated due to my ill health. Its not something that has come as a surprise and I have been on 'no pay' since the summer, however it is still something I have got to get my head around. I'm relieved its all over but the sense of financial uncertainty is ever present however this is something that we will overcome by being smart with money, frugal, hunting for bargains and vouchers etc!
Holidays do not have to cost the earth. I saved up for English Heritage membership for hubby and I, with the joint membership we get 6 children for free.......we only have 3 and we don't plan on adding to that number. However, if we went out with friends who had children we could get them (the children) into an event or place on our membership. So far we have paid for our membership through the now free entry to the places we have been to. There are lot of places near us to see, and they have events that are either free or reduced price such as jousting, egg hunts, falconry displays, star gazing etc....Its well worth looking into.
A lot of people now shop at Tesco and have a Clubcard. We save our points/vouchers and exchange them for days out vouchers and meal out vouchers. We have been to places such as: Diggerland, Colchester Zoo and The Tower of London. We've had meals out at places such as ASK, Zizzi and Pizza Express all on the Tesco Clubcard. technically these are free
Many museums in London are free entry. Pack a packed lunch in a rucsac grab a railcard (kids travel free on public transport including buses, over ground trains and tube) and have a fabulous day out.
The following museums are disabled accessible and we have visited and had a great day out:
* The Science Museum
* The Natural History Museum
* The Imperial War Museum
* The British Museum
* The Museum of Childhood
For days when pain and fatigue are rearing their ugly heads....or the weather is being particularly British there are things you can do at home. The following are my favourites:
* DVD and Duvet day.....pop a DVD/film on. Snuggle with the kids on the sofa under a duvet.....they will love it!
* Make up stories.
* Give the kids blankets and cushions to make a fort or a tent or a castle. They will play away to their hearts content while you rest.
* If the weather is ok and you have a patio....chalk to draw on the paving stones. They will love it and it all washes away in the next rain shower (this is England after all!)
* Plant some seeds and the kids can watch them grow. Vegetable seeds can be bought from the 99p shop.
* Colouring pencils, crayons and a supply of paper. Less messy than paint. The kids will love creating pictures and cards for you.
* Make tidying up/chores fun. Kids like to help. Draw up a points/tally chart. The kids can earn points by helping you out around the house. When they reach a certain about of points they get a prize or a treat.
* Get the kids to keep a diary or log of what they have done over the holidays. This way they keep up with their handwriting/spelling practice and they can see that they have had good fun days too.
To keep costs down, and on your better days, meet up at the local park with other mums/dads and the kids friends. I find the playground a struggle and have to go on my mobility scooter or wheelchair but the kids are now nearly 8, 6&6 so push each other on the swings etc. Meeting up with other mums and dads gives you an outing and someone else to chat to. They will more than likely enjoy the chance to have a ground conversation and adult company while the kids play. If the weather is nice, take a picnic.
The main key to surviving the school holidays is:
* Pace yourself.
* Listen to your body.
* Keep on top of your pain medication.
* Rest when you can....DO NOT OVER DO IT!
Until next time, Use your Spoons wisely and have a relatively pain free day
xxxx
