For parents staring down the barrel of six weeks’ childcare: take a tip from orangutans | Helen Pilcher
With the news that the ginger giants arrange playdates for their offspring, scientists say messing about has health benefits for humans of all ages The school summer holidays are upon us. Cue the annual expectation that parents will conjure up six weeks of affordable, memory-making fun while holding down a job and hanging on to their sanity. Baking, picnics and den building may be wholesome, but…
As school summer holidays approach, parents face the daunting task of finding affordable and engaging childcare for their children. While activities like baking, picnics, and den building have their merits, they can quickly become tiresome, with the den transforming into a place of confinement rather than adventure by the fourth day.
The solution, of course, is the playdate, a socially accepted way to take a break and focus on personal tasks such as enjoying a warm cup of tea. Interestingly, it appears that orangutans have discovered the same benefits for their offspring, arranging playdates to promote their well-being. A recent study highlights that humans, too, can reap the health advantages of parental outsourcing, making playdates a valuable practice for individuals of all ages.
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