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Outings with Kids 101 - Making the Most of your Day!By: Parental Guidance Oh, the joys of raising children in Toronto! There is so much to do right at our doorstep. We can take our little ones to the Toronto Zoo, the CN Tower, the Science Centre, the ROM, Casa Loma, Canada's Wonderland, the C.N.E, countless exciting live shows - the list goes on. All of these destinations have the potential for a day of learning, lasting memories, and heaps of fun. Unfortunately, they can also turn into a day of whining, gluttonous requests, and temper tantrums when things don't work out or it is time to leave.
To avoid the meltdowns on a day which is meant to be wonderful family time, Parental Guidance has compiled this list of tips:
Before the event:
• Do your research. Be sure to plan an outing that is age-appropriate and suited to your child(ren). An amusement park with height restrictions might not be the best outing for a baby/toddler or a child who is very uncomfortable taking risks. Choose places that you know your child will be engaged for the majority of your scheduled visit. It is great to expose children to the various activities this wonderful city has to offer, remembering to balance their current interests as well as attempting to broaden their horizons.
• Discuss the place where you will be going ahead of time, which will vary depending on the ages of your children. Telling a three year old about an exciting activity a month in advance will only cause stress for everyone ("Are we going, today?" twenty times a day) since their concept of time still leaves a bit to be desired. If it is going to be their first time try showing them the website or a brochure so that they can get a feel for what is to come. Try not to hype it up too much in order to avoid a let down. Children often build things up in their own mind so try to keep their expectations realistic.
• Plan the timing of your outing. Think about when they are at their best and try to go at that time. Mornings are often a good time since children are well-rested and full of energy, plus, it is a great chance to beat the crowds!
• Pack drinks and snacks and think about what you are up against when you pack! If you are going to an amusement park loaded with sweet treats, your snacks of carrots and raisins might not look so enticing in comparison. You might want to pack something a bit more appealing for these occasions!
• On the way there is a great time to remind them of what to expect, how long you plan to stay and the rules to be followed when they are out in public i.e. holding your hand, staying close, using a quiet voice in the museum, etc… Have them tell you in their own words what the rules/expectations are - even if you have to not so subtly tell them, have them repeat it back to you so you are sure they are listening.
• Discuss what they can expect with regards to purchases like souvenirs, treats, video games, toys etc. Come up with a plan which works for your values and your budget! If they are old enough, you can give each child an allowance for the day and give them the opportunity to decide how they want to spend it. This can avoid the barrage of requests for you to open up your wallet! No matter how you decide to do it, explain it to the kids and then stick to it!
During the event:
• Strategize - go to the attractions which they are desperate to go first to get it out of the way and ensure that they have enough time to spend there. Involve the kids in planning the route. Remember to include bathroom breaks and snacks in your plan so be sure to know where the restrooms are and where snacks can be consumed and/or purchased.
• Keep your own expectations low! It can be challenging for children to control their emotions in these exciting places. Have fun with them on this special day, feel like a kid again and get into it!
• Don't worry about getting your money's worth at all cost. Staying too long can result in you carrying your screaming, tired toddler back to the car over your shoulder. If your children are best with a 2-hour visit to the zoo, then that is how long you should stay - don't make them stay all day. If your budget allows, consider buying a season's pass so that you can make more frequent but shorter trips.
• Divide and conquer - if sibling conflict is becoming an issue and there are two adults there, split up for awhile and enjoy some time apart! Don't force them to get along! Time away from each other might be just what is needed to get the day back on track.
• Give a few warnings about when it will be time to leave. Show them your watch a few times so that they can get a sense of how much time is left. Sympathize with them - it is hard for them to leave such a fun place! It helps to have something fun to do at home or on the way back home that you can tell them about to ease the transition.
After the event:
• The drive home is a good time to debrief! Try playing "high-low" to talk about all of the things you liked/disliked about your visit. If there was something that was hard about the day, discuss what it was and brainstorm ideas on how it can be worked out the next time.
• Commend them on what they did well, and if they left without a problem give them a lot of praise! Even if they did have a hard time, find something that they did well you can praise them for.
• Think of all of the great memories you have given to your children, give yourself a pat on the back for taking time to enjoy your children and our great city's amenities, and smile - you're almost home.
Parental Guidance offers unique support for parents based on your own values and beliefs. Our professionals come into your home and coach you to develop better strategies to deal with your children’s inappropriate behaviour. Our Parent Guides are highly-trained educators with extensive knowledge of child development. They have numerous years of experience working with families and are able to listen intently, ask key questions and collaborate with you to create effective individualized strategies.
Visit online at: www.parentalguidance.ca |
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