How to survive March Break Madness
No matter how hard we try, we'll never
eliminate all of the stressors from our lives. The week-long break in the middle
of the winter school term is a case in point. March Break can cause a big disruption
to daily routine, and that can be a particularly big stressor for parents.
Here are some suggestions to help
you manage March Break madness and keep your stress levels in check.
Hit the road. Plan
your annual vacation to coincide with March Break to minimize the disruption
of both events. Choose a family-friendly destination you'll all enjoy, like
swimming and beachcombing in a southern climate, skiing in the mountains, exploring
our national capital, or enjoying a big city adventure.
Job share. If you
can't take an entire week off work, see if you could "job share" with
another parent. You could each take just one or two days off work instead of
the whole week, so there's always an adult watching over the kids. Be sure to
sort out ahead of time details like where the kids will hang out and what activities
are scheduled.
Hire a child minder.
March Break is a peak time for child-minders, and this can be a big extra expense.
Consider sharing the cost with one or two other families. Make a plan that includes
a common set of instructions, phone numbers and rules for all the kids.
Sign up for camp.
Check with your school, local community centre or municipality for day-camp
programs for kids. Typical offerings range from activities for specific age
groups, to arts camps and computer camps. With a little scheduling adjustment,
you may find it's almost "business as usual" after you drop off the
kids for the day.
Enjoy a stay-at-home vacation.
Chances are you can find enough activities to keep the kids — and yourself
— amused for a week off. Go skating, skiing or snowshoeing. Visit museums
and libraries. Check out an indoor wave pool and climbing wall. Your municipality
or community centre likely hosts March Break activities geared to the whole
family. You may find the break from your usual routine and workplace is a refreshing
pick-me-up for mom and dad, too.