6 parenting hacks for the downtime between Christmas and the New Year
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The period between Christmas and the New Year (or ‘Twixmas’, as it’s become known) is often a bit of a limbo phase when nothing really seems to be going on – which can be boring and frustrating for kids. With the excitement of Christmas over, new toys already losing some of their initial appeal, and no school or nursery to keep little ones occupied, Twixmas can be the most challenging time of the festive holidays for parents.
But Matt Buttery, CEO of the Triple P UK and Ireland parenting programme, says: “Once the presents have been opened and the turkey served, parents can take a deep breath as the Twixmas lull kicks in. But there’s no reason why Twixmas should be a dull time for kids.
“There are steps parents can take to ensure their children don’t slip into boredom, or the risk of too much screen time. With a little imagination, Twixmas can be just as fun as the big day itself.”. Rhiannon Mountain, head of outdoor learning at nursery group Kids Planet, adds “There are some easy ways families can enjoy time with their young ones over Twixmas, while engaging in educational activities too. Try something as simple as collecting sticks for craft projects, naming and tracking animals, or counting different coloured plants.”.
Here are six expert hacks to help families have a terrific Twixmas…. 1. Make a Twixmas activity listBe super-organised by making a specific activity list ahead of time, and if you’re worried about cost, aim to include things you can do together for free.
