The school holidays are finally here and it's your job to entertain these little darlings 24/7! The panic is real. As are the emails that have been filling up Tina's inbox about what the hell to do when your circus comes to town and you're the chief plate spinner. As always there is 3 big questions on 3 thorny issues and a few big laughs thrown in. There's even a bit of RTE chat thrown in to help you explain to our kids the value of putting your hand up when you screw up.
Great kid, terrible sense of humour? What do you do when your child is a little angel but makes terribly hurtful jokes at your expense? Tina thinks boundaries are the key while I think education comedically will produce an understanding of where the line is and when to cross it. Is a family meeting or a Billy Connolly DVD the answer?
A worrying question or a sign of the times? What do you say to your 3 year old kid when they ask you, "Am I fat?" We hear from a family where a very young child has suddenly become body conscious. Is it best to ignore this? When does this disturbing question from a small child warrant more attention? Tina explains the need to refocus their interest on food and its function as fuel for the body to build, repair and run.
What do you do when your family rejects your child? A parent gets in touch for advice on how to deal with the rejection she suffers at the hands of her relations. Her extended family have zero interest in getting to know her child. Recently her child has become aware of this. The feeling of rejection is deep. How do you guide your child through this? Without a doubt, this is one of the toughest questions we have received to date.
Get in touch with any advice you have or questions for Tina by emailing
- honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. Also what are your summer family-life-hacks? Is there a shortcut to an easier summer we could all use? Let us know.
(Download the Buymie.ie App and take the stress and expense out of stocking your house with groceries this summer.)