| Which part of that title did you not understand? It could | | | | - A practical tip is to call for parental time out! Of |
| reveal quite a lot about your personality... | | | | course, there are so many times and situations where |
| "Making?" you say. "There's no need to make the act | | | | this is not possible (e.g. with a very young child), but if |
| of bringing up kids fun... It is fun! My little sunbeam | | | | you can and when you can, find a quiet place for 30 |
| brightens up the house from when I get up at 8:00 to | | | | seconds or so and do some diaphragmatic breathing |
| when I settle him to sleep at 6. I just love seeing his | | | | or whole-body stretching. It should allow you to return |
| cheerfulness throughout the day. And when he has his | | | | to the situation less stressed and in control. Ready to |
| afternoon nap, it allows a little 'me-time' - maybe have | | | | enjoy your children having fun again. |
| a friend over for coffee or write a letter..." | | | | Boredom |
| Perhaps you are more cynical? | | | | The immediacy of your child's needs and her relatively |
| "Fun?" you cry. "What's fun about getting up at 6:00 to | | | | short attention span mean that boredom can settle-in |
| ensure that my little darlings are dressed, fed and | | | | fairly quickly. Car journeys, long-haul flights, visiting |
| watered, allowing myself a mere five minutes before | | | | relatives; all are potential boredom hotspots. And a |
| the school run to sort myself out? What could possibly | | | | bored child equals a stressed parent. |
| be entertaining about having to deal with a temper | | | | - Planning is everything here. Have you a very young |
| tantrum in the baked bean aisle of the local | | | | child? Take a bag from home and fill it with a variety |
| supermarket? Or flopping down on the sofa fit to drop | | | | of objects: toys, soft material, pictures cut from |
| at 8:30, hoping that the night ahead will not involve too | | | | magazines, different textures and sounds. Call it a |
| many interruptions from screaming babies? Huh!" | | | | stimuli sack and dip into it when the going gets tough! |
| This article has been written, you'll be pleased to read, | | | | For older children, remember that nothing works better |
| with the second group in mind. If there are any perfect | | | | than a contest or an imaginative conversation. Look at |
| parents out there who find parenting a doddle, my | | | | number-plates - who can make the funniest phrase |
| advice to you is to write a book on your methods and | | | | from their letters? If Uncle Norm was an animal, what |
| retire early on the proceeds. | | | | do you think he'd be? There are plenty of fun kids' |
| The truth is, parenting can be and should be a whole | | | | games out there - get planning! |
| lot of fun, but several factors can hinder the | | | | Lack of Support |
| enjoyment that should be ours as parents. It is my aim | | | | Parenting can be a lonely business sometimes. When |
| to consider some of the obstacles to the pleasure that | | | | a baby arrives, your social circle can change. Some |
| parenting should bring and suggest strategies to get rid | | | | friendships drop off as you simply don't have the time |
| of these hindrances so that you can enjoy your | | | | to maintain them any more. Conversations revolve |
| children once more. | | | | more and more about your child and you can feel that |
| Time | | | | this parenting lark isn't much fun. - Make sure that you |
| Too much to do, too little time to do it in. Days are | | | | actively think about your support network. Is there a |
| spent rushing from one job to the next, with your child | | | | partner who can take on some of those jobs you |
| tagging along for the ride. And when you finally have | | | | already do? Will friends and family baby-sit, allowing |
| settled him for the night, all you are fit to do is drop. | | | | you a much-needed meal out to arrive back a |
| There is no easy answer here, but something to | | | | refreshed and rejuvenated parent? Do you make |
| remember: | | | | good use of internet websites, parenting forums and |
| - Don't be too busy to sit and watch your child play. | | | | resources? They are available 24-7 and there are |
| Jesse Jackson put it succinctly: "Your children need | | | | many parent-aimed articles related to play and young |
| your presence far more than your presents." | | | | children that you will find helpful. |
| Sometimes we all need to physically make the time to | | | | A final note: Don't lose your senses of perspective and |
| stop. Enjoy your kids' company. | | | | humour. |
| Stress | | | | Perspective will allow you on the most stressful of |
| You know the feeling... You've one screaming baby, a | | | | days to realise that you've been given your child as an |
| car-sick toddler and an argumentative five-year old. | | | | amazing gift to enjoy and cherish. Don't become a |
| Difficult to control? Even more difficult when you're in | | | | cynic. Parenting should be fun. |
| the middle of a complex parking manoeuvre at the | | | | The sense of humour will help you when your baby |
| supermarket, reversing your 4x4 into a space that a | | | | begins to cry for the fifth time tonight... "The quickest |
| shopping trolley would find tight. The idea of your | | | | way for a parent to get a child's attention is to sit |
| children having fun today is a long-forgotten pipe | | | | down and look comfortable! |
| dream. Parenting is no fun when you are stressed. | | | | |