I get this question from many parents as soon as some holidays come by, and this Christmas holidays are no exception. So, questions did come.

This time, I conducted a quick survey with 10 parents, and 7 of them responded.

Here is the summary of what I got from the quick survey:

Q1. What do you want at the end of the Holidays? Basically, “why” of this whole effort to do something during holidays.
— Enjoy holidays in a constructive way and have fun
— Avoid wasting time on gadgets
— Explore new activities, own thoughts, and ideas
— Bond with family
— Create moments to cherish later
— Invest in learning about oneself
— Learn new things

Q2. Have you checked with the most important stakeholder – your children?
Yes: 3
No : 4
Even “Yes” are not reflecting an active conversation with them. It is coming from either parent knowing them OR parents bouncing ideas with children.
Interestingly, “baking” is in three answers! I am curious, how !!!

Q3. What are your hurdles that you are looking for ideas outside?
— No time as other commitments, e.g. work, another baby/infant,
— Not equipped with knowhow to teach/conduct activities at home

Q4. Do you intend to do this alone or with a group? If with a group, please talk a little more about the group.
Mostly within the close family. Even if with a group, it is either another friend or no idea yet.

Here are some of the thoughts collected.

Points to keep in mind:

1. Available time
— We do not have infinite time at hand. We have about 10-12 days, at max.
— A few days will go in celebrations/travel, and not much control over that.
— We can not engage children in our activities alone as they have their other priorities too.

This effectively leaves us with about 4-6 days, spread over the holidays.

2. Group or alone?
Holidays are opportunities to do group works as children will be available together. There are tons of opportunities throughout the year to spend time with a close group family. The challenge is, you do not have groups existing, something to be concerned about.

So, the suggestion would be to take a short project that involves:
— planning
— calculations
— progressive evaluation
— teamwork – discussions, negotiations, etc.
— going beyond comfort zone and chances of success as 50% only
— parents/adults should be NO MORE THAN resource facilitators to some extent only. Parents MUST NOT help children to do things “right”.

Some of the thoughts coming off the head are:
— A mural artwork e.g. 4′ x 6′ size if not bigger
— A social project – cleaning up the surrounding
— An education project – conducting some camp for children who are not so privileged
— An activity camp for elderly people – Acts of kindness
— An awareness campaign on an environmental issue – saving water in daily usage.

Some smaller things at home:
— Monthly grocery planning
— Analysis of food we eat every day – full nutritional value calculation, etc.

I am pretty sure, if 10 brains think together, many more innovative ideas will pop up. SO, do this within your groups and share your ideas in the comment below.

I would reiterate two main points:

1. Please do include your children in idea generation and execution too.
2. A group of like-minded parents is a great thing to invest time in.

DO share your ideas as to how you are planning to enjoy the vacation with your children.