When children have vacations, it is time to think about organizing the family to get out of the routines that have existed throughout the school year. Children have three months of vacation and there are not many adults in the world who can have three full months of paid vacation, so these months of rest for children can be a headache for parents, and for grandparents.
Many parents work and who have their parents (and children's grandparents) close by, see in the figure of grandparents an opportunity to save money and for children to be cared for by the most trusted people in this world.. Grandparents are the second people behind the parents who love your children the most And you know that by their side they will always be well cared for, but is it a good idea to take care of your children during all the summer months because you have no choice but to work?
It is not your obligation
Your parents can do you a favor when your babysitter fails, one day you have discovered or even several of them. But If you create the obligation to take care of your children because you and your partner work, you will be intoxicating the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren. The grandparent-grandchild relationship should be full of love and respect, but not obligation.
Your parents, who are probably older people, have already raised you and most likely also found themselves in the same situation as you when they had to work at some point. Being older than you do not have the same energy to take care of your children and your children have a lot of vitality to spend three months with their grandparents.
Your parents are not going to tell you that they are not going to take care of them if they have time and they also feel that that way you will be better ... you are still their child and they want you to be well above all, but you should not take advantage of that. You are an adult and you need to look for resources that they go well with you and your children, without the need to abuse the figure of grandparents. There are more options besides spending time with their grandparents as well, and if you're short on ideas, read on.
The importance of organizing ahead of time
So that you do not get overwhelmed thinking about what you can do with your children when they give them summer vacation and that you have to go out to work every morning like every day, it is important that you organize yourself in advance. This does not mean that you should leave grandparents out of your child's life during the three months of vacation., Far from it!
Strengthening their bond is very important, but you must have a good organization so that you do not have to overload them in caring for the children but at the same time empower them to spend quality time together.
Grandparents as leisure time
Neither grandparents nor children should feel that the time they spend together is mandatory time because grandparents can get overwhelmed and children can too. Ask your parents what options are best for them to be with your children while you are away, do not pretend that they are all day, try to be only part of it.
For example, if you take your child to summer school but you don't have time to pick him up to go to eat, the grandparents can take care of that if they are well and want to do it, so when you get home from work you pick them up and you can pass time with your children.
As well, promoting leisure time with grandparents is a way of strengthening the bond between the two, so ideal times for them to be together can be times when they can go to the park, watch a movie together at home, learn to cook, play board games ... they are fun activities and sure that everyone will have a great time .
Do not force grandparents
It is essential that you do not force your parents to take care of your children, do not emotionally manipulate them to do so. Remember that your children are yours, not yours. They are their grandchildren and they love them more than anything in this world, but they are your responsibility. and you must not make them bear the responsibility that corresponds to you.
Therefore, look for care options for your children that you can combine with the care that your parents accept and want to do for and for your children, but do not force them to do it at any time because it could cloud your relationship with them And that your children notice that tension and that the time spent with grandparents ceases to be magical, it is not a valid option!
You can take into account the following points:
- Do activities all together. If your parents take care of your children on a certain day, later you could reward them by planning some activity to do all as a family and that in this way, they could feel protagonists and as important as they are. If they only take care of your children, you pick them up and leave it seems that you only want their presence for that. Plan family time like lunches, dinners, or outings together.
- Summer schools. Summer schools are a great opportunity for your children to spend the whole morning having fun and having a great time in the company of instructors who will prepare activities for them to play every day. This way you will have time to work and your parents to make the plans they need before spending time with the family.
- Take turns with your partner. If possible, you can also take turns with your partner to babysit while one works and the other doesn't, so you don't overburden the grandparents.
- Kangaroos are also a good option. If you don't have the possibility for your parents to take care of your children, you can save during the year so that a babysitter takes care of your children while you and your partner are working.