The school holidays come around quickly, don’t they? It can feel like you’re just getting over the last one, and the next one comes along. And then there’s the summer holidays, which can feel both welcome and unwelcome at the same time. The break is an excellent opportunity to spend time as a family, but it can feel really long, too! Even your kids can start to feel fed up after a few weeks.
So, how do you survive the school holidays? The good news is that there are some small changes you can make to your home and your routine to help you get through it. Here are some things you can try.
Create a daily routine
One of the biggest challenges about the school holidays is the lack of structure. While the last thing you want to do is recreate a school day, it can help to have some kind of routine to get you through the days. Try setting regular times for meals, activities and bedtime to help keep some consistency.
Even if you have different activities planned, you can try timing them for the same time of day to help days feel a little more organised, while stopping kids from asking “What are we doing today?” constantly.
Come up with a range of indoor and outdoor activities
If you want to survive the school holidays, you’re going to need some variety. Days out are exciting, especially when you’re going somewhere like a theme park. But they’re also expensive, so it’s good to have a list of activities you can do at home too.
Why not create a list with your children at the beginning of the holidays so that you have plenty of go-to ideas you can work from? Keep an eye on the forecast to help you plan trips and outdoor activities during sunny periods, and fun indoor activities when the weather isn’t so great.
Keep your home cool and comfortable
When temperatures go up, the mood in your house can go down. It can become uncomfortable spending time indoors, especially if you have young children. Keeping curtains closed during the hottest part of the day and creating air flow can help your home become cooler.
Hot weather events are becoming more common, so you could invest in an air conditioning unit to help keep your home more comfortable during the summer months. This will make it easier to play and relax, and give everyone a bit of a break from the hot weather.
Stay hydrated and put sleep first
The mix of hot weather, lack of routine and busy days can leave everyone feeling a bit irritable at times. It’s important for all of the family to drink water to stay hydrated and keep energy levels up, so keep topped-up water bottles around at all times.
Sleep can be difficult when the usual bedtime routine goes out the window. Try to maintain a reasonable sleep schedule and avoid later bedtimes to help children get the rest they need. If the heat becomes a problem, check out some tips for how to stay cooler at night.
The school holidays are an exciting time for all the family, but they can be a challenge too. With some routine and a little planning, you can help make the days more enjoyable for everyone. Focusing on a comfortable home can also help keep moods and energy levels up, ensuring everyone gets the rest they need. The ideal summer holidays are all about balance, and some simple changes could be all you need to make memories and enjoy quality time together.
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