A Parent’s Guide to Handling Children’s Extended School Breaks
There is no greater feeling of nervousness than waiting for the ticker scrolling at the bottom of the screen during the news to get to your school district to see if school will be closed.
Or staying up late waiting for the text and/or call about a closure or delay because finding out at 6am and trying to immediately pivot the day is not how you want to wake up (listen, IYKYK).
Even when the breaks are planned and you know they are coming, it takes a lot of effort to plan out how you are going to survive that break, and juggle work and all the other things about life that are a part of our mental loads. Not to mention those thoughtfully laid out plans that get derailed the morning of when a kiddo wakes up with a fever.
Sometimes, the cards just do not play us a fair hand.
Extended breaks from school, whether due to holidays, weather closures, spring break, or the long summer vacation, can be both a blessing and a challenge for us parents.
While it offers us plenty of precious moments to bond with our children, it also brings the need for creativity in keeping them engaged while maintaining everyone’s mental health. In this blog, we’ll explore practical tips and strategies to help you not just survive, but thrive, during these extended breaks.
Maintain Perspective
Sometimes as a parent I just assume that my kids would rather be home all the time than go to school, and maybe your kiddos have even said as much.
But something you have to keep in mind is that while our kids enjoy having some time off of school, it’s not always a party for them (despite the house party that sounds like it is happening while you are attempting to be productive).
Our kids are used to a lot of structure, having jam-packed days, and being around their friends socializing. They are being stimulated and utilizing many different parts of their brains all day.
During breaks though, kids lack the structure that they’re used to, which can lead to them becoming emotionally dysregulated or extremely bored (which could increase behaviors they know they shouldn’t be engaging in, or results in some anxiety).
There can also be feelings of isolation due to the lack of socialization on a break.
You can be as prepared as you want to be when it comes to these breaks, but you also have to maintain that perspective, and be ok with days being a little more fluid and flexible.
Identifying Stressors
Before we can really make a plan and make productive use of break time, consider what things cause your family the most stress. These could be:
- Disruptions with bedtimes
- Excessive amounts of unstructured time or screen time
- A lot of family visiting at one time, or
- Your child not being able to socialize with friends
Identifying and knowing the stressors that can manifest into meltdowns or tension for your family can help you develop a plan that puts the power back in your hands, making the management of your kids at home a little easier.
These Breaks aren’t Forever
It may feel like it, but these breaks will be over before you know it. Yes, a couple of weeks can feel like eternity in the parenting world; however, in the grand scheme of things, you can survive (and even thrive) during this time.
Repeat this with me, “this break may feel hard, but even the worst-case scenario is fixable. I will focus on the joy of this break, rather than what could potentially go wrong.”
The Structured (but Flexible) Break Schedule
When creating the framework for your break schedule, lead with intention and flexibility. You can plan activities that you enjoy doing together as a family, but you can also set boundaries for the moments you may need alone away from your kids.
Don’t bog yourself down with a minute-by-minute plan of how the day is going to go. Rather, create routines that can easily be re-used for those unexpected breaks. These can contain some non-negotiable elements, but still maintain an amount of flexibility that allows you to easily shift things around if things get a little chaotic.
Above all else, feel your feelings. These breaks can be mentally taxing for your whole family. Don’t forget to give yourself and your kiddos permission to be upset, angry, or frustrated, and have a good cry.
Establish a Routine and Set Expectations
A key in creating your flexible but structured routine during extended breaks is ensuring a balance between learning, playtime, and relaxation, allowing for predictability without stifling spontaneity.
This may look like one planned activity per day or one playdate a week, depending on the bandwidth you have to handle those things along with a work schedule, which may or may not offer more flexibility during these times.
Another key is to set expectations with your kids. Kids tend to thrive more when they know what’s coming next. If you know that you have to work from home some days over the break, which means you need quiet time, tell your child that.
Prepare them a boundary to go with that expectation like “when I go into my office, that means it is quiet time for you too in your space.” Maybe during this time is when you allow for some screen time, or special activities that you bring out specifically for quiet time.
Whatever your routine looks like, keep it consistent so it takes the guesswork out of it for your kids.
Childcare and Break Schedules
Sometimes work schedules are too rigid for you to be able to work and parent on your own, or your kids are simply too small to be able to entertain themselves without parental supervision.
If you are using childcare, be sure to communicate with your childcare providers the schedule you’d like them to use and the non-negotiables you have (like nap times, feeding times..etc).
If your childcare is young, like a high-schooler or college student, they may benefit from some activity ideas to help your kids stay engaged and stimulated.
Activity Ideas for School Breaks
While you don’t need to have an activity for every moment of the day, you can still benefit from providing some things that kids can look forward to, and can be a way to spend some quality time together to foster connection throughout the day.
Embrace Educational Activities:
Keep young minds stimulated by incorporating educational activities into the daily routine.
Explore interactive learning apps, educational games, and science experiments that make learning fun. Consider thematic projects or virtual museum tours to keep their curiosity alive.
These activities are less about making sure they don’t fall behind at school, and more about stimulating them to access and use cognitive skills.
Encourage Outdoor Play:
Weather permitting, outdoor activities can be a lifesaver. Whether it’s a simple walk in the park, a bike ride, or some time playing in the yard, fresh air and physical activity are crucial for both physical and mental well-being.
Outdoor play also provides an opportunity for social interaction, helping children develop vital social skills, plus it’s easy and free!
Foster Creativity:
Engage in creative activities that spark imagination! Art projects, storytelling, and crafting can be both entertaining and educational.
Allow your children to express themselves through various mediums, fostering a sense of accomplishment and boosting their self-esteem.
Cultivate a Love for Reading:
Extended breaks are the perfect time to instill a love for reading. Set aside time for shared reading sessions, where you can explore new books together. Libraries often have special programs for children during breaks, providing an opportunity to discover new authors and genres.
Let Them Get Bored
The four words my kids will utter that drive me crazy are “what can we do?”
Our job as parents and providers isn’t to be the professional entertainer and the creator of all play. Rather, we provide opportunities for kids to build and access skills that can encourage their imagination.
I often find that boredom will eventually push my kiddos to explore play that is imaginative, creative, and other worldly, but sometimes getting there can take awhile.
Don’t be quick to make suggestions or pull out all the toys, let them stew in that boredom and see which direction it takes them in. You may find yourself surprised at the ideas and things that they create in their minds, if they are given the space and freedom to do so.
Step Away From Parenting
During these breaks, we often find ourselves so focused on balancing work and parenting, that we forget we have our own needs outside of those two areas of our lives.
Make sure you are giving yourself time to indulge in the things that bring you joy outside of your parental duties.
Prioritize Self-Care:
Parenting during extended breaks can be demanding, so it’s crucial to prioritize self-care. Schedule and take breaks when needed, delegate responsibilities, and communicate openly with your partner or support network.
Whether it is reading a book in a quiet spot, meeting a friend for coffee, or just taking a time-out in your bedroom alone, you deserve and need that time.
Remember that taking care of yourself is key to providing the best care for your children.
Parental Support
Extended breaks from school provide a unique opportunity for parents to connect with their children and create lasting memories, but for some of us it may feel too daunting and overwhelming.
If you find yourself struggling beyond the norm when trying to navigate extended periods of time with your children, we can help. We have providers who can help you understand your family dynamic and can guide you through how to lean into your chaos rather than fight against it. Visit our About tab to read our provider’s bios. Most of our providers see clients in-person and virtually so we can accommodate your busy schedule, allowing you flexibility and comfortability through your journey with us.
Ready to get started? Go to our Contact page to send our support staff some details, so we can begin to put you on your path to mental wellbeing and parental peace.
