School holidays are meant to be a break, not another timetable to manage.
Yet it is easy for parents to fill every day with activities, outings, sport, appointments and entertainment.
Before long, everyone is tired, and the holidays can feel like hard work. Too much planning!
This holiday, try less.
Leave some days empty. Yes, empty and don't feel guilty!
Let your child sleep in.
Have breakfast slowly.
Go for a walk.
Play a game.
Visit the park.
Bake something together.
Watch a favourite movie.
Let them be bored. This gives them time to create for themselves.
Not every day needs a plan. Some days just need to be ordinary days.
And not every moment needs to be productive.
Give your children something they often don't get during term time:
time to simply be.
If anxiety or arguments appear, don't feel you have failed. Holidays can be an adjustment too.
Slow things down. Change the plan. Take a breath. Start again tomorrow.
The best holiday memories are often not the expensive outings.
They are the unexpected laugh, the silly game, the lazy morning and the ordinary afternoon spent together.
Don't aim for a perfect holiday.
Aim for a happy one.
When they go back to school, we want them to be rested and feel that spending time with family and slowing down was great respite for all the family.
“School holidays. When parents truly understand how grossly underpaid teachers are.”