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Parenting advice... Travelling with Children
Josephine Downs is a specialist when it comes to children's counselling. practising play Therapy since 2004 and working
successfully with many children, adolescents and parents in that time. Josephine's qualifications include A Bachelor of Arts in
Psychology (APS approved) and Sociology, two advanced Diploma's, one in Family Therapy and one in Counselling. Josephine will be
one of the first to undertake a masters in Play Therapy in Australia, when the course begins in approx 2013.
Josephine is the current President of the Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association and is a member of APT (American Play Therapy
Association), VAFT (Victorian Association for Family Therapy) and the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors.
Josephine's life experience includes having two of her own children 4.5 and 2 years, a foster carer and a residential youth worker for
children in departmental care and having worked in child protection for many years.
IT is the middle of the year and the dry season does
come about so fast. It's a great time of year to go away
on a family holiday but can also be a daunting time of
year for parents as children are on school break for a
lengthy period of time.
Generally my articles are about how to manage the
holiday season while being in Darwin, however, a great
question has been put to me about taking children away
on holiday’s - national or international. how young is too
young?
Many Darwinite’s take their children interstate often
to visit family, however, the idea of a family holiday
somewhere else is a great experience for every one.
Family holidays for children can start from a very young
age. Of course young babies and toddlers are not
essentially going to remember these but that does not
mean it's not worth taking the time out and experiencing
something different. Clearly it's important for your
children to see a different side of life and to be supported
in that with you as parents.
Something's to note: Children aren't necessarily going
to want to change out of their general routines to
accommodate your holiday. Young children thrive on
routine so if you’re going to a place where there is a time
zone change try and keep to a manageable routine. It
may mean that in accordance to where you are your
children are up really late, wake really early and go to
bed really early.
If it’s just yourself and your partner going on holiday,
with the children at home under arranged care, keep in
mind that you’re still going to need to manage sleep,
meals and night bedtimes for your children to eliminate
further disruptions.
In saying this there are many places where you can
go on holidays where they have 'kid’s clubs' and very
inexpensive nannies. Some people prefer not to use
these services as they want their children to be with
them, however, there are options. A good tip is for
parents to also have that midday nap so that you can all
Contact: Josephine Downs
www.playtherapy.com.au
The Top Ender Tri-Services Magazine Incorporated
stay up that bit later.
Clearly one child in a pram sleeping is very easy to
manage but once they get to that 3 to 5 age range
keeping them occupied can be a challenge. Ensure you
have entertainment options to assist when you are in a
restaurant or on a bus ride to a tourist spot etc. Some
of the helpful gadgets for young children include sticker
books, colouring in books, personal DVD, iPad - where
there are short movies or TV shows. These are also great
tools to take away for consequences if need be.
Once you get up to two or more children the challenge
can be greater but with good preparation and research
it's manageable. I can highlight that myself and my
husband have two children under two and have travelled
internationally a number of times with them and they
appear to enjoy it. International and national travel can
be daunting but it can also be very pleasurable.
No matter if it's national or international family holidays
are what create good and long lasting memories for
children. Starting them young gets them to understand
and enjoy the different things the world has to offer.
Enjoy and happy holidays.
Josephine Downs
Specialist Children’s Counselling
Phone: 0411 118 620
jomartin@playtherapy.com.au
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