Being a parent can be great fun. It's also 24/7, tiring, and stressful! That's why we've got tips from parents across Scotland to help keep them happy.
From dealing with strops at the shops, screentime, getting them to do their chores, and ideas for those "I'm bored" days, we hope you find something to make your life a little easier!
Need more time?
Feel like you never have enough time to get anything done? Here are some hacks to keep them busy while you get on with things:
Tip #1: Tick, tick tick off that checklist
Tip #1: Tick, tick tick off that checklist
Get them to write their own checklist of what they need to do every morning – like have breakfast, brush their teeth, brush their hair, and get dressed. Then get them to tick it off each morning.
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Tip #2: Bunny hops
Tip #2: Bunny hops
In a rush to get somewhere with them? Set your phone timer to 2 minutes. Get them to bunny hop, star jump, and jump. How many can they do? What moves can they make up?
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Tip #3: Jungle adventure
Tip #3: Jungle adventure
Asking them to write a list of everything they'd take to the jungle is a fun way to keep them busy while you get on with things.
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Tip #4: World records
Tip #4: World records
Always late for school? Time them getting dressed - then challenge them to beat it. How much faster are they each day?
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Want to avoid a strops at the shops?
It's happened to all of us - the dreaded "supermarket strop". Here are some fun supermarket games you can play to keep them happy as you go around the aisles:
Tip #1: Carrots and custard
Tip #1: Carrots and custard
Finding everything on your list beginning with 'C' can help keep them busy.
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Tip #2: Bargain hunt
Tip #2: Bargain hunt
Asking them to help find all the items less than £1 on your list is a fun way to keep them entertained.
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Tip #3: Supermarket challenge
Tip #3: Supermarket challenge
Tell your child what you’re looking for, then when they find the item you can read the name and check the price together.
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Want to unstick them from their screens?
Here are some tips to get them off their screens and into the real-world.
Tip #1: Swap the iPad for a play bag
Tip #1: Swap the iPad for a play bag
Tip #2: Toy talk
Tip #2: Toy talk
After they've gone to bed, set up little scenes with some of their toys for them to wake up to. You could write a little message for them from the toys. Try giving them mini missions, like drawing a picture of their toys.
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Tip #3: Poster play
Tip #3: Poster play
Why not try poster play? Getting them to make a poster of their favourite film or book is a fun way to keep them busy.
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Need time fillers before tea?
You're not alone if you drop off a happy kid to school - and a very tired and grumpy one returns home to you! Here are a few tips to keep you both happy before dinner.
Tip #1: Space Travel
Tip #1: Space Travel
To keep them busy, ask them to write a list of everything they’d need to take for a trip to space and how much they’d need.
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Tip #2: Ready, Steady Recipe
Tip #2: Ready, Steady Recipe
If they're hyper after school, channel some of that energy by getting them to give you a hand in the kitchen. Get them to pick a recipe and give it a go together - with them helping to read the recipe and weighing out ingredients.
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Tip #3: Word Wonder
Tip #3: Word Wonder
Just pick a letter, set a timer and see many words they can write or say beginning with that letter in the set time.
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