Google me: Ways to stop the kids driving you mad

By JULIET ROWAN

Less than a week into school holidays and feeling frazzled? Running out of ways to entertain the kids and wondering how you're going to keep them from driving you mad until school starts on July 19?

While everyone looks forward to school holidays - parents to bond with children, children to do fun stuff with parents - the reality can be far from idyllic.

Holidays disrupt routines and kids, quickly bored at the best of times, may get tired, cranky and more demanding than ever. The result: seriously stressed-out parents.

Take comfort in the fact that it's a common phenomenon - punching "school holiday stress" into Google elicits 338,000 entries.

Also rest assured that, judging by what's on the web, breaks between semesters don't rate anywhere near the stress of Christmas holidays.

Many entries near the top of the Google list talk about the financial strain of the festive season and the obligations people feel to spend large amounts on presents.

The experience, says Indiana University website, "can leave nerves and emotions scattered like so much glitter off a card".

Thankfully, most sites also offer suggestions for dealing with holiday stress.

The tips are not rocket science but, at the same time, it's quite useful to have them spelled out.

John Riddle, author of Family Health for Dummies, reminds parents that limiting TV and video games is important.

During holidays it is easy to let the box become the babysitter, he says, when what parents should be doing is encouraging their kids to let off steam through exercise.

Remembering routines is also important. It is not surprising that kids get grumpy or stressed if dragged along on shopping expeditions or taken to events over which they have no control.

Parents also tend to "treat" children to fast-food meals during the holidays, another no-no in Riddle's book. "All of those sugary holiday treats, and you end up with a stressed-out, hungry family."

The way round it: nutritious meals together and healthy snacks on outings.

Single Parents UK offers practical (though slightly plummy) advice for dealing with holiday boredom.

The "DIY fun" section suggests taking the kids on a picnic, going for a walk somewhere nice, or visiting a part of town you've never been. Encouraging them to collect items along the way to make a scrapbook is also recommended.

"This way a day trip can become a week-long activity."

Old-fashioned options like feeding the ducks and playing hopscotch are also floated.

If they all sound a bit uncool, check out the "Holiday Choices" section in the Herald for ways to amuse your children.