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Spending a full day out can be really tiring – and not just for the kids, for you too! But lots of parents feel that they are letting their kids down if they don’t pull out all the stops every time. How many times have you pushed through a long day just to keep your kids happy?
Going on a day out is almost always about spending some quality time together. Your kids might be excited to do a particular activity or go somewhere they really want but ultimately, what they really need most is your attention. And if you feel tired and frustrated about being out, you’re not going to be a 10/10 parent.
So, perhaps a little rethink is in order. Instead of trying to give 110% all the time, try cutting back in a few ways to make life a little easier. You’ll probably find that your days out together are more fun as a result!
Avoid Spending a Long Time in the Car
Your car might have heated seats, TV screens and private reg plates but unfortunately, it still won’t drive itself. Driving is really tiring and kids tend not to like long journeys either – especially at the end of a long day.
By leaving your car at home and getting a train or another form of public transport, you can spend a bit more quality time together on the journey too. In fact, a train journey can easily become a day out in itself and lots of children are excited by taking different forms of transport.
Take Drinks and Snacks With You
You can’t always guarantee that you will find food at the exact moment your kids decide that they are hungry. Taking snacks in your purse everywhere you go is a good idea regardless of whether you are on a day out or not but it is particularly important in this case!
Flapjacks are great because they are compact and can contain hidden fruit. You can also make them together quite easily and even a supervised toddler can have a good time patting down flapjacks for baking.
Choose 1 Toy
Bringing a toy is a good way to keep your kids entertained when there’s nothing else going on. Constantly trying to entertain a bored child is exhausting but when they have something to do, you can follow their lead. A sneaky tip is to ask them to play doctor while you close your eyes. If you are going on a car journey, taking a soft toy is probably the best option – especially if you have very young children who like to show off their throwing skills!
A day out should be fun for everyone. This is an opportunity to do something different and enriching but mostly, a day out is about building your relationships and learning about each other. Try not to get hung up on the idea of perfect or keep trying to outdo your previous trips. Give yourself a break and focus on what’s important!
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