Keeping It Simple | How To Stay Sane During School Holidays

1. Set a (flexible) routine for your at home days – of course this will be different to the usual school day routine, but think about setting times for snacks and meals, rests, movies, reading etc.

On those days when we have nothing planned we make sure that the days have a rhythm that the kids can predict. For us this means the morning playing, lunch at midday, followed by read and relax for an hour. These days Toby no longer has a sleep (much to our disappointment), but he has a pile of books that he can look through. Movies or television are for the late afternoon when it is hot, and we are all tired. We try to keep bedtime at 7.30 for Toby, and 8.00 for the girls.

It doesn’t really matter what your routine is, providing it works for you. Having a routine helps prevent the worst melt downs. It makes sure that everyone has time on their own, and that tummys are filled regularly.

2. Avoid too many extra activities – it can be tempting to use the holidays to pack in lots of activities that are fun or need to be done. Shopping trips, dentist appointments, fun days visiting attractions, play dates with friends. These are all great to do (well with the exception of dentist appointments), but too many activities become exhausting for the kids (and adults too). Holidays are all about giving kids down time. School is hard work for kids, and they need time to decompress and just be.

For our family, I try to make sure we have more time at home with nothing planned, than days spent out and about. We pick a few activities that we really want to do, and keep it at that.

An added bonus is that more time spent at home usually means a cheaper holiday too!

3. Focus on plenty of down time for everyone. When you are at home, don’t feel the need to be like an activity director on a cruise ship for your kids. Down time involves doing nothing. Kids often come up with the best ideas when they are “bored”. I’m not saying ignore the kids, but give them plenty of time to do things with out you. Sometimes, I will help get things started by pulling out the lego and the big board they use to play it on, or getting out some drawing or craft, but mostly I try to leave the kids to their own devices.

4. Maintain your standards. This one is the hardest. On holidays it can be easy to just let things slide. A rude word here, A bit of stomping or answering back there. After Christmas and all the new presents, plus the excitement of friends, family, and treats, kids can develop an attitude of entitlement very quickly.  Despite not wanting to cause a stir, it really is easier to insist on the same behaviour standards that normally apply, rather than letting it slip for a few days or weeks. If the kids know what the expectations about their behaviour are, holidays are more pleasant for everyone.

I love school holidays (and not just because I’m a teacher), and the summer slowdown is my favourite time of year. By using these few ideas, it becomes an enjoyable, relaxing time for all of us.

What are your tricks for saying sane during the holidays?