Life as a SEN mum

Has anyone else noticed that Easter seems to have become very over commercialised in recent years, and there seems to be an awful lot of pressure put on parents? I suppose this is one of the many problems that come from social media. So many people seem to be treating it very much like Christmas, and I could easily do a whole blog post on my issues surrounding that, and how the Religious background has totally been lost by many. But we’ll leave that for now.

The main issue for many parents is probably the sheer amount of chocolate. However much we try it seems to take over the house. Whether it’s chocolate you’ve bought, chocolate from family and friends or even prizes from the various amount of competitions schools have in the run up to Easter, it can seem impossible to limit the amount. The easiest way to avoid the excess is to simply tell family and friends to not buy any eggs, after all there isn’t really any reason or expectation for them to be buying your kids Easter eggs, and it will also avoid the obligation to return the gesture. I wouldn’t advise not buying any yourself, I used to do that and then back in 2020 with lockdowns etc they ended up with no eggs at all, so that one totally backfired.

If you don’t feel up to telling family not to go out and buy eggs then there are other things you could do to avoid overconsumption. Firstly, and probably the most obvious solution is to hide anything they don’t want straight away, then you’re able to give them some as a treat here and there, much like you would any other chocolate, I’ve also find breaking it up and keeping it in the fridge helps limit the amount they eat, although I know that wouldn’t work for everyone. You could also get busy in the kitchen and use the chocolate to bake some yummy treats that everyone can enjoy. Which nicely leads into the next concern for parents; how to keep kids entertained during the school holidays.

As with all school holidays, parents feel a lot of pressure. Whether you’re celebrating Easter or not, your kids are going to be off school for 2 weeks, and with the joys of British weather it’s not always easy to just get outside. I know the saying “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing” but I beg to differ, and I’m sure any of you who wear glasses will probably agree with me on that one. So then we’re left wondering how to keep them entertained at home or worrying about the cost involved when going out.

First of all don’t worry about keeping them entertained all the time. I heard something recently that said it’s ok for children to not be doing something all the time, not only does it make them realise that it’s not possible to always be out and about, but it also gives them chance to reflect work on their own interests. If you have young children, I know this isn’t always possible, but there are plenty of ways to keep them entertained for minimal costs, whether it’s a rainy day, or just while you get other stuff done, be it work or just household chores. Check online for any free printable colouring sheets and activities. If it comes to it and you don’t have a printer, checkout colouring apps on their tablets, you can find everything from toddler colouring to colouring by numbers for older kids. You can also have a rummage through the cupboards and see what you have to do some craft activities. Again, the Internet can be your friend in this case for easy ideas with everyday household items, you can save recycling such as toilet roll tubes and boxes. If you do need to top up on pens and paints etc then always check your local discount stores first. You might even be lucky enough to pick up large craft bundles. When all else fails get the kids involved in the kitchen, whether it’s a tailored activity such as baking, or just getting them helping with meals. Kids love helping out in the kitchen and it can really help their relationship with food.