We made our first boredom jar a couple of school holidays ago. I was tired of being asked what there was to do before I’d even had a coffee, so I figured it was worth trying properly instead of just saying “I’ll think of something” for the tenth time that morning. A boredom jar is […]
How to Survive School Holidays on One Income
You know that feeling in the last week of term when you glance at the calendar and your stomach drops a little? Not because you don’t love having the kids around. Because you’ve just done the maths and the numbers don’t love you back. I’ve been the one-income household for a while now, and school […]
How Much Does the Average Family Spend on School Holidays in Australia?
Every school holidays I sit down with the bank app and try to work out where the money went. A vacation care booking here, a Movie World ticket there, three days of “can we just get Maccas” — and somehow four weeks off school has cost more than the mortgage. If that sounds familiar, you’re […]
Vacation Care Costs: How Much You’ll Pay By State
Vacation care covers supervised full-day childcare for school-age children during term breaks, and it’s one of the least-understood costs in the Australian childcare system — the price varies significantly by state, and the Child Care Subsidy doesn’t reduce the bill as much as most families expect. This article breaks down current vacation care costs across […]
Free Things to Do in Sydney with Kids
Half these “free things to do in Sydney” lists are clearly written by someone who’s never actually had to drag a toddler round the places on them. Not this one. Everywhere here is somewhere we’ve actually taken the kids, more than once, so you’re getting real prices where there are any, where you’ll actually get […]
Why Boredom Is Good for Kids and Their Grades
School holidays mean constant refrains of “I’m bored” and “play with me.” We respond by scheduling activities or handing over a screen, guilty either way. But what if boredom itself were the point? Modern parenting has confused enrichment with constant stimulation. As a mum of two boys, 5 and 7, I know their week is […]
Why Boredom Might Be One of the Best Parts of the School Holidays
Every school holidays, parents put pressure on themselves to keep the children entertained. We book the activities, organise outings and try to fill every day so no one is ever stuck for something to do. Then we reach the last week worn out, the children are tired too, and the break has not really given […]
How to Create a School Holiday Routine That Actually Works
School holidays are coming up soon! I have already arranged my older kid’s school transition holiday plan set, so now I’m shifting my attention to the little one. He hasn’t started preschool yet, but that doesn’t mean we cannot make the most of these weeks. Each day offers opportunities to help us learn and grow […]
Top Tips for Working from Home during the School Holidays
Balancing work and parenting over the school holidays requires a lot of determination, without a doubt. Ever since our daughter turned two, we’ve developed a routine that allows us to stay balanced. While I go through emails or sit in meetings, she drifts from one activity to another. Some days she will watch a short […]