The happiest holidays can be homespun

Published on Tuesday 30 June 2009 09:44

WE'RE all going on a summer holiday . . . no more worries for a week or two. So the jaunty song goes, but with no money in our pockets and summer holidays looming, it all starts to sound just a little bit off key.

On Thursday the doors to Edinburgh's schools will close behind our little darlings for eight long, expensive and probably challenging weeks.

A slump in foreign holiday bookings reflects the fact that many families have ditched the idea of a break in the sun in favour of a credit-crunching fortnight nowhere more exotic than our own back gardens.

If we could be guaranteed a sliver of sun through the dark clouds, it might not be so bad. But who would be brave enough to bet on the prospects of roasting hot school summer holidays if recent years are anything to go by?

No wonder 65 per cent of parents in a recent survey said they found being on holiday with the children more stressful than being at work.

Research commissioned by recruitment agency www.hirescores.com also found 90 per cent of parents spent their entire time on holiday trying to keep the kids happy.

According to Edinburgh-based parent coach Trudi Butler, summer holidays can be a flashpoint for stressed families – even more so when money is tight.

"Depending on your children, summer holidays can become stressful," she agrees. "But they are a time when everyone should be able to relax a bit. Parents shouldn't worry too much about filling every day with stuff to do – children have to chill out too, so give them time to watch television or do something less busy."

Trudi, whose role as "The Parent Guru" means she often helps parents through the stresses of family life, adds: "There are places to go, like the Botanic Garden, that don't cost a thing. Use friends and family who can take the kids and give the parents a break."

Morningside mum-of-four Colleen McCrone understands the challenges of keeping children entertained over long periods. With three boys, Sean, eight, Connall, six, Finlay, four, and baby daughter Niamh, one, she has opted to book some of the Edinburgh Leisure sports camps to keep them busy.

She says: "I've learned to plan ahead, so I've booked things like football and swimming. Three or four weeks of the holidays are already organised."

The boys, all pupils at St Peter's Primary School, and baby Niamh particularly enjoy a cost-free trip to the Meadows swing park or to Vogrie Country Park near Dalkeith. And Colleen, 39, recommends Morningside Library for its child-friendly approach. "It's easy to feel you've always got to have something to do," she says. "But all most kids want is a big space to run around in with their friends, which doesn't cost anything."

Working mum-of-two Fiona Brownlee has a clear summer holiday strategy – plan well ahead. "If you structure it out, then you can get through it much easier," she says.

So her six-year-old daughter Scarlett will shuttle between her grandmother's home in England, three weeks at holiday club at Wardie Primary School, a family holiday in Islay and a week at an activity club at the Royal High.

"There's a few days at the end of the holidays that are tricky, so I've organised to work at home those days," says Fiona, who works in marketing for publishers Mainstream and also contributes to new parenting website Mumsrock.com. "We'll spend some time at the Book Festival too. There's an activities centre behind the children's tent that's free and has lots to keep the kids busy."

Mum-of-three Anja-Maaike Green, 40, has organised an e-mail group with other mums from her daughter's primary school – so they can all keep in touch throughout the summer break.

"We'll create calendars so we each know what the others are doing and when. It should mean that if someone is stuck, they know if there's someone else free who can help them out."

She regularly takes daughters Marjolein, five, Anneliese, four, and two-year-old Sofiane to the Gallery of Modern Art where they can run around the grounds in safety. "The caf there is child-friendly too," adds Anja-Maaike, who lives near the Meadows. "It opens out into a walled garden, so you can eat or drink without having to get up and check on the kids all the time."

But most fun for the girls is probably the simplest day to organise of them all. "We have pyjama days at home, where we don't bother to get dressed all day and just cuddle up, chilling out, reading and messing about the house."

Trudi Butler runs The Parent Guru, advice and support for parents, on www.ask-the-nanny.com or 0131-476 0004

YOU DON'T HAVE TO SPEND A PACKET TO HAVE A GREAT TIME

SO, you're skint and stressed-out by the prospect of a summer holiday crisis with the little darlings.

Don't fret, there are scores of free events and places to visit right on your doorstep.

Edinburgh's libraries have a variety of free events running in the summer.

Look out for Tales of the City, aimed at ten to 19-year-olds, a chance to express how they feel about the capital through any medium they choose: animation, drama, poetry, film-making, music, comics, photography or dance.

Their efforts will be uploaded on to the website and shown in an exhibition and booklet later in the year. Details from www.talesofthecity.info.

Another option is Micro Tales - free short text message versions of classic tales. Simply text TALES to 80081 with name and age to receive a story back.

Some library events require tickets, but are still free. What boy could resist learning how to draw superheroes with Kev F, whose cartoon characters have graced the Beano, and graphic comics 2000AD and Spider-Man?

His comic master class will be at various libraries throughout August.

And libraries aren't all just about books – keep kids entertained with a spell on the library PC, loaded with special Comic Life software that allows users to upload images and make them into comics.

Of course if you want to use the library for reading, Quest Seekers will encourage even reluctant bibliophiles to pick up a tome.

Grab a membership card and poster from the library, read through the six books on the quest to receive prizes and the chance to win days out, book tokens and American Football match tickets. Go to www.edinburgh.gov.uk/questseekers for details.

Summer is all about the outdoors and with the world's greatest arts festival on the doorstep, there's no excuse not to wander down the Royal Mile taking in the free entertainment – but beware, it can be very busy.

Head for the less manic atmosphere of the International Book Festival – daily Story Time and Rhyme Time events are free, but book places in advance.

Book shops often host events with children's authors or fun events for children. Try branches of Waterstones and Borders at Fort Kinnaird – head there on Saturday, 4 July for CeilidhKids, a free music and dance session.

Introduce them to nature at the Water of Leith Visitor Centre, they can watch river life unfold through the bioscope. If you can bear to part with some cash, there is a string of child-friendly ranger-led sessions throughout the summer, cost 3.50 (www.waterofleith.org.uk)

Don't forget Gorgie City Farm, below. Kids can volunteer to work at the farm, check out summer workshops or head for the free family fun day on Sunday, 19 July.

The International Year of Astronomy brings child-friendly science events to the Museum of Scotland and Royal Observatory, left, and look out for the Super Science shows, dance and weapons displays.

The People's Story in the Canongate brings history to life with interactive displays, sights and sounds. The nearby Museum of Childhood is packed with treasures from the past, and check out the new children's learning space at the Museum of Edinburgh in the Royal Mile, where they can handle replica objects, dress up in clothes from the 18th and 19th centuries, join the family activity trail and take part in art activities.

At the Botanics, the new John Hope Gateway visitors centre will open soon, and try Lauriston Castle in Davidson's Mains. The grounds are free (castle entry 3), and there is a varied arts and crafts programme (from 4). Head to Newhaven Heritage Museum to find out what it was like to live in the fishing community.

Get value for money by looking out for two-for-one meal deals at tourist attractions and restaurants in pamphlets.

Try the Royal Edinburgh Ticket from Edinburgh Bus Tours. For 38.50 for adults and 18 for kids, the ticket includes two days worth of travel on City Sightseeing Edinburgh, Edinburgh Tour, MacTours City Tour and The Majestic Tour and offers free admission to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Royal Yacht Britannia and Edinburgh Castle.