3 kids at the Show, minus the stress

Yesterday I took my 3 children ages 11, 10 & 6 to the Royal Melbourne Show. What an overwhelming place the showgrounds can be even for an Adult. So many things to see, the colours, the noises, the smells (some good, some not so good - like the poultry pavilion Phewww). Then there is the rides, how exciting which one to go on???? Why do they need to have their PA systems so loud and distorted that you can't even work out what they are saying? And their music so loud? It's physiologically stressful not enjoyable or enticing to go on the ride at all.

Then there is the main reason for a child to go to the show. THE SHOWBAGS. Yes packed full of all the things us mums deny our children all year. All that nasty environmentally unfriendly packaging. Individual lollies wrapped then put in a bag, which is inside another bag, inside a larger show bag.

Not to mention the cost of the day ........

I actually ended up really enjoying the day. How did I do that you may well ask, it could have been a potential stress "MELT DOWN ZONE"

Here are my tips:

• Preparation is the essential key.
• Buy the newspaper with the show bag guide a few days before the show starts.
• Tell the kids their limit on show bags, mine was one novelty & one lolly bag (they could pick which ever one they wanted)
• Highlight this on the guide AND TAKE IT WITH YOU.
• Do not deviate from this choice or buy extras (the extras will blow your budget)
• Feed the troops to capacity with healthy food at lunch before leaving, then its not so bad if they have some junk food there
• Bring a water bottle, keep well hydrated. Our brains do not function properly when we dehydrate (you need to be alert with 3 kids at the show!)
• Mix the "its all about me" activities up with watching some of the events, viewing & patting the animals, that's what the show is really about, share with your children your amazement in the skill involved with events and displays eg. "wow look at that, or how do they do that, or look at the work in that".
• Don't forget to sit down - take breaks, its OK to rest

Remember the fun and amazement you had back when you were young a the show, re live this through your children's eyes.

Elaine Doyle