Is there a child that doesn’t look forward to summer? And isn’t there a parent behind every happy child, worrying about sunburn, dehydration, and heatstroke? For kids, staying indoors in summer is virtually impossible, because all they want to do is go outside and play, so it’s up to you to get creative and think of something that will allow them to have fun and stay safe from the heat at the same time. Is it possible to keep your kids happy, active, and safe, and your baby calm during these exhausting summer heats? Of course it is.
Start from the inside
You might get the urge to ‘let the sunshine in’ first thing in the morning, but think again: by opening windows and throwing open curtains and blinds, you allow the hot summer air to get in along with the light. You might want to develop a special technique: open your windows at dusk and leave them open during the night to let the lovely, cool air in. The kids and yourself will sleep peacefully and enjoy the pleasant temperature all night long. At dawn, get up from the bed, close the windows, and draw the curtains and blinds. This will allow you to keep the cold air in and when you block the sun your kids will sleep longer.
Wear the right clothes
When temperature starts climbing, you will wish that you could walk around naked. For older kids, things are not so bad – after all, they can run around in shorts and wet T-shirts as much as they like. It’s the babies that need special attention, since they can’t tell you they’re too hot. Dress them in layers, and make sure they are made from cotton and linen. Bubba Blue cotton cot sheets will ensure that your baby sleeps well, and if you hang a damp muslin sheet by the bed and place a fan nearby, your little one will sleep peacefully without being bothered by the heat.
The joys of water
Older kids love running and messing around, and it’s no wonder they want to spend time in the backyard. Keeping them inside and letting them watch TV can be fun for a couple of days, but they will get bored and wish to get out. The simplest and easiest solution – all kinds of fun sprinkler activities. Even the ordinary games such as Duck, Duck, Goose become ten times more fun when there’s a sprinkler. If you want, you can give them each a plastic cup and have them compete: the first one to fill the cup without touching the sprinkler wins. They will be outside, be active, but at the same time be cool. Just remember to tell them to wear their hats to protect their heads from the sun.
Stay cool and hydrated
You know this already: when it’s too hot, you don’t feel so hungry, even babies are fussy and won’t eat as much as they usually do. Make sure that your children are hydrated and that they eat healthy: fruit salads and plenty of ice cream will keep them happy and full, but you should limit the amount of soda they drink. Together you can prepare flavoured water in the evening: cut fruit and put it in water bottles or mason jars, pour water in, and let it cool in the fridge overnight. The following day they can drink the soda-like water they helped make. This will make them proud and more likely to drink it instead of soda.
Australian summers are so hot that the rest of the world doesn’t really get the jokes: being branded by your seatbelt clasp when you get into the car, or being afraid of metal car door handles sound funny, but they are our reality. Keeping your kids happy and healthy are always top priorities for a parent, and during summer the tasks become a bit more challenging, but not impossible. Stay cool, literally, and enjoy the season with your family.
Emma is a former English teacher, now stay-at-home-mum constantly improving her skills as a parent. She is passionate about writing and learning new things that can help you to lead a quality life. She is a regular contributor to High Style Life. You can follow her on Twitter @EmmahLawson
