Parenting

Peta Todd shares her tips on how to chill out with the kids this summer


“THE sun has got his hat on. Hip hip hip, hooray, the sun has got his hat on and he’s . . . where is that flippin’ fan?!”

Someone has flipped the “on” switch for summer and here we are, getting the season we have all been waiting for – and subsequently sweating in ALL crevices imaginable.

 Peta says the key to a good nights sleep is keeping the kids entertained and calm during the day

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Peta says the key to a good nights sleep is keeping the kids entertained and calm during the dayCredit: Stewart Williams – The Sun

It was lovely for about five minutes and now we’re all moaning it’s too hot and we can’t sleep and having the same conversations on repeat with every friend, cashier or dog we meet.

Of course, the appearance of the yellow ball in the sky is lush and parenting is so much easier when we can be outside, wearing the children out like puppies.

But we’re not used to this level of heat when we still have to go about our everyday lives and aren’t able to just roll into a pool as you would when on holiday.

Even as an adult I feel my tolerance levels lower and my sleep is compromised so our little humans are bound to struggle, without understanding why they feel tired and irritable.

While it’s all fun and games when they can hop in and out of the paddling pool and quench their thirst with ice poles, the real fun starts when they try to get their clammy selves to sleep.

Enjoy hot weather while it lasts

Here are a few tricks I try to roll out to keep the kids entertained and calm during the day and to ensure we all get some quality sleep at night.

Place your kids’ pillow cases in a plastic bag and pop them in a freezer for an hour before bedtime and then put them back on just before they go to bed.

Keep bedroom blinds and curtains closed during the day to keep as cool as possible.

 Peta urges parents to enjoy the summer holidays while they last

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Peta urges parents to enjoy the summer holidays while they lastCredit: Stewart Williams – The Sun

Buckets of water and clean paintbrushes are always a winner to paint on the paving stones for a fun outdoor activity because the pictures disappear as soon as the water dries.

Use cookie cutters to cut out interesting shapes of fruit and make quirky fruit platters to keep the little ones snacking on healthy food throughout the day.

Make forts with bedsheets in the shade so the kids can play outside without being in the sunshine.

Plan your outside activities for earlier or later in the day to avoid midday sun.

If your smaller ones get too warm the most efficient way to cool them down is to expose their nappy area.

I cannot promise how long this lovely weather will stick around – hopefully it’s not just a flash in the pan – so enjoy it.

Wear the summer clothes you usually hide away at the back of the wardrobe and get those pins out.

Eat outside, leave the housework and enjoy the clammy cuddles because before you know it, it will be school run time again and you’ll be screaming “get your shoes on” and “eat your breakfast” at 7am.

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