Keep smiling, even when you're stuck indoors, with Supernanny Jo Frost's parental guidance and tried-and-tested indoor activities
Posted: 16 October 2009
by Jo Frost
My five golden rules to stop you driving each other mad indoors
1 Cut children some slack
When we're stuck indoors it’s easy to forget how much time we’ve spent at the park or in the garden. Suddenly the house seems like a small, restrictive place. Remember that the children need to adapt to their new play zone. They don’t know they’ve been keeping the mess outdoors, so try to be patient while they learn that autumn’s an indoor time.
2 Give tots boundaries
It takes time for your little ones to relearn where they can play indoors. They’ve probably forgotten just how many toys are in their bedroom – or that last autumn you played camping under the clothes airer in the lounge. It’s up to you to show them where’s ok to play, where they can let loose a little bit. And equally, where they shouldn’t be. If the dining room is out of bounds, for example, make the lounge inviting by moving the sofa back or making a camp in one corner. They’ll soon learn again.
3 Respect everyone’s personal space
Everyone indoors all day long equals tempers flaring, especially if you sit on top
of each other all the time. You’ve had the great outdoors and now you’re restricted to a few rooms. But that’s ok – just remember that you all have different places you can be. One of your little ones might want time in his room, while the other wants to play a game with you. As long as you come together for main sharing times like meals, everyone’s happy.
4 Think as a team
Remember, you’re in this together. It’s not a case of the children getting ‘cabin fever’ and you having to solve it. See yourselves as a team and work together to make your day a success. A plan goes a long way. Check the weather forecast. If the afternoon’s going to be dryer, let the kids know that after lunch you’re going out for a walk to the park.
5 Be imaginative
Think about everything you do and how it could be more exciting to offset the fact that you’re indoors. For example, help your little ones act out storytime rather than making them sit down if they’re full of energy.
