School holidays arrive with a mix of excitement, pressure, noise, and… more noise. As parents, we often imagine long, relaxed days, happy kids, and slow mornings. In reality, holidays can quickly become a juggling act of boredom, big emotions, shifting routines, and siblings who suddenly forget how to coexist peacefully.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The holiday period can be wonderful, but it also brings unique challenges for kids' brains, their emotional regulation, and the entire family system. Here’s a psychologist’s guide to navigating it with more calm, connection, and confidence.
Lower the Bar (Yes, Really)
Parents often feel pressure to create magical holidays. But while the occasional special day matters, what children truly need is:
predictable rhythms
emotional warmth
time to rest
opportunities to play
Let go of the Pinterest level expectations. A simple day at home, a walk to the park, or building a cubby in the lounge room is more than enough.
Create a Loose Structure
Kids, especially neurodiverse kids thrive with routine. You don’t need to schedule every minute, but a loose daily rhythm helps reduce meltdowns, boredom, and constant “What are we doing now?” questions. It is also key to supporting transition at the end of the school holidays.
Try dividing the day into broad blocks:
Morning: an outing or activity
Midday: lunch + quiet time
Afternoon: free play or screens
Evening: family games or movie night, wind-down routine
Predictable patterns create psychological safety.
Build a “Boredom Plan”
Holiday boredom is normal and even healthy. But kids often need help starting something when they feel bored.
Create a Boredom List together:
Lego challenge
Drawing / craft
Water play
Baking
Backyard scavenger hunt
Dance playlist
Board games
Audiobooks
Put the list somewhere visible. When complaints arise, point them back to the list. This builds independence and problem solving skills.
Expect More Big Feelings
Holidays disrupt routines, which can stir up:
irritability
restlessness
more sibling conflict
emotional spillover from the school term
A good mantra: “Their behaviour is communication.”
When kids act out, try interpreting what’s underneath: hunger, sensory overload, tiredness, boredom, or needing connection. Naming the feeling: “It seems like you’re really frustrated right now” helps the brain regulate.
Protect Quiet Time for Everyone
Kids need chances to reset, and so do adults. Try implementing:
30–60 minutes of quiet play
separate spaces for siblings
a “calm corner” with cushions, books, sensory toys
Quiet time playlists
If your child is neurodiverse or has executive functioning challenges, quiet time may look like:
a single, simple sensory activity
a repetitive task like colouring, water beads, or kinetic sand
screens with headphones under a weighted blanket
It’s not cheating, it’s regulation.
Use Screens Mindfully, Not Fearfully
Screens are part of modern life. You don’t need a “no screens” holiday to be a good parent. Aim for:
clear limits
transitions with warnings
screen breaks that don’t feel like punishment
content that matches your child’s tolerance
Balance with physical activity, outdoor time and movement breaks
Screens can give overstimulated brains a predictable break especially for kids who struggle with self-regulation.
Keep Your Own Cup Filled (or at Least Not Empty)
The holidays are demanding for parents. Your wellbeing matters too.
Small habits that protect your mental health:
one non-negotiable break each day
Tag teaming with a partner/friend where possible
meals that are easy, not impressive
lowering expectations of how much you’ll “get done”
letting go of guilt around rest
A calmer parent = a calmer home.
Don’t Compare Your Holidays to Anyone Else’s
We've all done it, we hear tales of other families' holidays and start the comparisons and very quickly, feelings of not being good enough take over. Other families’ social media posts are highlights, not reality. You’re seeing the two-hour window where everyone was smiling, not the tantrum in the car or the Netflix marathon that saved their sanity earlier in the day.
Your holiday doesn’t need to look a certain way to be meaningful.
Good Enough Is More Than Enough
School holidays can be fun, chaotic, exhausting, and messy, and that’s normal. Kids don’t remember perfectly planned itineraries. They remember feeling safe, laughing together, freedom to play and adults who were present, not perfect.
Go gently. Create structure. Expect chaos. And remember, you’re doing better than you think.