Parent’s guide to surviving the rest of summer break

Helen O’Callaghan on ways of surviving the summer holidays.

MIDWAY through the school holidays, you’re realising this is more of a marathon than a sprint. You’re wondering how you’re going to survive the next month.

It’s a perfectly normal parental sentiment, says clinical psychotherapist Joanna Fortune (solamh.com), who points out that when children start school — and with many now in day-care — parents can feel ill-equipped at keeping them busy during long breaks. Frustration and impatience can set in but it’s not too late to turn things around.