EDITOR'S COLUMN - As the school holidays draw to an end, I've started the countdown until the new term begins and it feels like there's finally light at the end of this long, dark tunnel.
I believe I speak for many working parents in Graaff-Reinet when I wish for a speedy end to the school holidays.
I mean, there are only so many ways in which to keep children busy for weeks on end, not to mention the financial cost and emotional toll to boot.
At this time during any school holiday - when I realise how severely underpaid teachers are - there are definitive signs in my household and those of most parents I know, that school holidays are drawing to an end.
We are all looking more than a bit frazzled. Worn down by whining, persistent demands and the challenging entertainment schedules, we have nothing left to give. The only thing keeping us plodding on is knowing the end is in sight.
All rules have been thrown out the window. During school terms, a set routine makes it easier to enforce discipline. Cue this time of the holidays, and all rules are pretty much null and void. Screen time is at the order of the day just so you can drink a cup of coffee in peace. Snacks are usually in the form of any pre-packaged convenience foods, and you don't care how late your kids stay up as long as they stay in their room.
Bribes are in full swing - getting anything done with kids is challenging. Simple tasks become bigger, not to mention more stressful. But, as Schabir Shaik knows only too well: never underestimate the power of a bribe... particularly in these last few days of so-called freedom.
'If you behave in the shop, I'll buy you a doughnut, chocolate bar or some random magazine with a plastic toy (that I'm sure we already have)."
Drink consumption is high - caffeine and alcohol. During the last few days of the holiday, every parent needs to adopt a survival technique or two. So, with sleep-ins and peace and quiet off the menu, we all need a little something to calm us down or to provide much-needed energy.
'Back to school' purchasing begins. Nothing screams end of holidays like 'back to school' adverts on TV and radio. It also signals that the buying of new stationery, lunchboxes and other necessities have commenced. And what a joy this is, as we all know shopping with children is SO. MUCH. FUN.
Sibling fighting peaks. My two daughters fight at the best of times, but spending prolonged periods together, takes their battles to a whole new level.
One minute they're sweetly building a city of blocks, the next they're rolling on the floor using the city ruins as weapons of mass destruction.
Whether you relate to some or all of the above, just keep one thing in mind: you are not alone. Knowing land will soon be in sight, we're all trying to keep afloat on this sinking ship.
So let's conquer the remainder of the rough seas in the knowledge that a stretch of smooth sailing starts on Tuesday with the ring of a bell.
Happy end of holidays!
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