It’s school holidays here in Queensland, and although I enjoy the different pace in the mornings, I cannot get into a rhythm when the kids are home. There is always a fight to settle, lunch to make or entertainment to provide. Before living in our Pen Y Llechwedd, we had 6 acres for the kids to roam over, to explore and run wild. Here we have just short of half an acre, which is big by town standards, but a big adjustment for the kids.

Being in the construction industry, it is really difficult for us to take time off at any time other than over Christmas. The site still goes, so the phone keeps ringing, and you can’t just walk away from it all. We have had to come up with some crafty ideas to give the kids the opportunity to have a “holiday” at home.

About 5 Christmases ago, we bought the kids a little $20 Kmart tent each, and while they were younger, we would spend a night camping out with them in the back yard. We would have a little fire and enjoy the opportunity to get back to nature, with all the comforts of home ?

In the last few years, we have let them manage on their own. They are responsible for picking a location, setting up their own tents, organising their sleeping gear, lighting and the essential mozzie spray. This opportunity to fend for themselves has brought about so many positives, I wanted to share them with you.

Teamwork

It is nearly impossible to put up a tent on your own, especially when you are a child. The kids have to work together to put the tents up, OR they sleep under the stars, and none of them are keen enough to do that. We try to schedule the camp out for the end of the holiday week, when they are sick and tired of one another, to give them the opportunity to learn tolerance. I mean have you ever put up a tent with a sibling, especially one your sick to death of?

Communication

You cannot work together without talking. As tired and irritable the kids may be by the time the tents need to be set up, they have to not only talk to one another, but articulate their needs clearly and concisely. Honestly, I try to sneak away to the bedroom deck for a wine while this is happening, it takes a while before they figure out they need each other and need to communicate clearly.

Spirit

Unbelievably, every single time we do this, by the time the tents are up, the kids are getting on like best friends. They will be laughing and sharing jokes and stories of that time Dad’s tent fell down. This is a sure fire way for us to raise our family spirit. Family spirit is even more important when you are a blended family, and this exercise helps center us all.

Self Value

You simply cannot get through the process of putting up a tent, and camping out for the night without finishing the experience feeling better about yourself. It’s a great sense of achievement when the camp is set, and you are able to relax and enjoy what you built for yourself.

Connection

The final positive from this experience, is the opportunity for the kids to connect with nature. We ban technology on this day, and really bring the kids speed down. The result is slower paced, more thoughtful and considerate children. Now if that’s not a massive positive, I don’t know what is ?

Did you camp out in your back yard as a child? Ever had to construct your own home?

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I was really excited last week to have Bee from Honey and Bean, link up her daughters Bedroom Makeover for Under $50. What an awesome bedroom! Unfortunately I couldn’t upload a picture, you will just have to head over to the blog for it all to be revealed!

Alix, The Builderette, linked up with the 5 Things I Learned From My Favourite TV Renovator. An essential read for anyone thinking of renovating, especially if you’d like to make a profit!