Summer Holidays in Wakefield: Pakistani Parents Share Plans for Children’s Activities
Wakefield, July 2023 — With schools closing for the summer, Pakistani families in Wakefield are preparing for weeks of keeping children engaged, balancing traditions with the realities of life in the UK.
“I want my kids to have fun, but also not forget who they are,” said Farzana, a mother of three. “So yes, they’ll go swimming and football, but they’ll also spend time at the mosque classes. Thodi masti, thoda taleem.”
Balancing Fun and Faith
Parents described the challenge of filling long summer days while ensuring children stay connected to their values. Khalid, a father of two, said: “The pressure is there — children want Xbox and TikTok all day. But I remind them, bachon ka waqt sirf screens pe zaya nahi hona chahiye. So I set times: Quran class in the morning, park in the afternoon.”
For many families, the summer is a chance to strengthen ties. “During the school year, everyone is rushing,” explained Ayesha, who works part-time in retail. “Now we sit for lunch together, go to the park together. It feels closer to how I grew up in Pakistan, when whole families gathered.”
Community Activities
Wakefield’s local mosques and community centres have stepped in with holiday programmes. Small groups of children attend storytelling sessions, sports clubs, and arts workshops. “We can’t afford big trips,” admitted Imran, a taxi driver. “But when the masjid offers football every Thursday, my boys are happy.”
Others emphasised low-cost family outings. “We go to Pugneys Country Park with homemade food,” said Nabila, smiling. “The children run, we sit by the water. Simple cheezon mein bhi sukoon hai.”
Preparing for the Future
For some parents, the holidays are also about setting goals. Older children are encouraged to read ahead for the next school year or help in family businesses. “My daughter helps me at the shop sometimes,” said Arif. “She learns responsibility. Sirf kitaab nahi, zindagi ka sabaq bhi zaroori hai.”
Children, for their part, see things differently. “I just want to play cricket with my cousins and eat ice cream,” laughed 11-year-old Hamza. His sister Amina added: “Mum says I have to read one book every week. So I chose Harry Potter.”
A Season of Togetherness
As the holidays stretch on, parents said the key is balance. “Yes, they need fun. Yes, they need learning. But most of all, they need time with us,” said Farzana. “That is what stays with them.”
اردو خلاصہ:
ویکفیلڈ میں پاکستانی خاندان گرمیوں کی چھٹیوں کے لیے بچوں کے منصوبے بنا رہے ہیں۔ والدین کا کہنا ہے کہ بچوں کو کھیل اور تفریح کے ساتھ دینی تعلیم اور خاندان کے ساتھ وقت گزارنا بھی ضروری ہے۔ کچھ خاندان مقامی مساجد اور کمیونٹی سینٹرز کے پروگراموں میں بچوں کو بھیجتے ہیں جبکہ دیگر پارکوں اور گھریلو سرگرمیوں پر توجہ دیتے ہیں۔ مقصد یہ ہے کہ بچوں کے لیے چھٹیاں خوشی اور سیکھنے کا امتزاج ہوں۔
