With school holidays approaching, families may be looking forward to slower mornings and more time together. However, a complete break from routine can sometimes make the holidays difficult for both children and parents.
Rather than trying to maintain a strict timetable, experts suggest keeping a few familiar parts of the school-day routine while allowing greater flexibility during the holidays.
Keep a few things predictable
A useful family routine does not have to mean following the clock throughout the day. Regular wake-up and bedtime patterns, meal times and simple household responsibilities can provide children with a sense of security.
Predictability can be particularly helpful for younger children, who may find sudden changes in their daily rhythm unsettling.
At the same time, holidays are an opportunity for children to rest, play and spend unstructured time with family. Allowing some flexibility can make the routine easier for everyone to maintain.
Let children have a say
The Conversation notes that there is no single routine that works for every family. What matters is that the arrangement is predictable enough for children while remaining realistic and sustainable for parents.
Families can involve children in deciding activities for the day, such as outdoor play, reading, visiting relatives or helping with household tasks. Giving children some responsibility can also make them more willing to follow the routine.
Parents do not need to fill every hour with activities. A simple rhythm of meals, rest, play, family time and sleep may be enough.
Holidays need room for change
A routine should support family life rather than become another source of pressure. Special outings, late nights or unexpected plans can be accommodated without abandoning the broader rhythm.
The aim is not to recreate school at home, but to give children enough structure to feel secure while allowing the family to enjoy the freedom that holidays bring.