Second episode of our series "How to occupy your children on vacation": turn off the televisions and computers and push them outside for their greater good.
Atlantico: While the weather is (finally) fine, getting the children to play outside is sometimes complicated. How to explain this phenomenon ?
Edith Tartar-Goddet: It all depends on the children, some love to play outside, they are great athletes. Children need sun, physically speaking, they must be outside and be a bit uncovered to receive vitamin D which they particularly need because they are growing. There is a physiological need to go out.
In France we are quite focused on technological objects and it is a problem, even in summer when the weather is nice, when you can enjoy the screens all year round. It's up to the parents to set boundaries, and push the kids out. Parents have a role of transmission, training with their children. This training involves diversity: not doing the same thing all the time.
How to find the right balance between outdoor games and indoor leisure? Should time limits be set in front of TV, computer or console screens? Which ones? And how to go about it?
An association in Pas-de-Calais has worked out, based on research, the time needed in front of a screen by age group. Toddlers, from 0 to 3 years old, must not be exposed, then the time must be determined in advance between parents and children. Screen time should be kept to a minimum for children.They need physical meetings, to exchange, to diversify their practices and their activities.
In summer, it is absolutely necessary that children take advantage of the outdoors, especially to do physical activities., French children lack physical activity. This has implications for growth and development. When the weather is nice, it is an opportunity to go out, but even if the weather is not good, the child needs to experience the rain, the mud...
Parents are not moderate enough with screens, there are things that cannot be negotiated. And even if the child groans, cries, it's learning, frustration is part of life. Gradually the child will become aware of the need to moderate.
Holidays should also be a time of relaxation for children. Is forcing them to do things they don't want to do always a good idea?
It's an illusion to believe that holidays should only be fun. The pleasure principle is not possible all the time, it must clash with reality. The parents have played a role of "agent of frustration" and to assume it. They have to be comfortable with it, if it satisfies all their children's wishes, they'll turn them into asocials, children in difficulty. It is in childhood and early childhood that we learn to limit ourselves. The holidays are not letting the children do everything all the time. You have to give them a time slot where they are free. It is to register your children in reality and not only in pleasure.
The management of teenagers on vacation can quickly escalate. How to handle these particular situations?
You have to accept that it is conflicting. A teenager who grumbles is a teenager who is doing well, you have to accept it, and be flexible without giving in. Parents can legitimately decide to do activities together, even if the teenager comes dragging their feet. Afterwards when he grows up, we can leave him moments with his friends without the parents so that he can flourish socially. You have to play on the parent/boyfriend balance, but it's not one or the other. Parents may require moments of family sharing such as dinner for example. Conflicts are part of adolescence you have to deal with.
source: Atlantico.fr
Additional information :
Crashdebug.fr: What to occupy children on vacation: 1) Do not abuse summer homework
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