Maintaining Routines and Discipline During the Holiday Break

As the holiday season approaches, many parents look forward to a break from the usual school routine. For children, it’s a time to relax, celebrate, and enjoy the festive season. However, as a child psychologist, I know that a disruption in routine, especially when it comes to sleep, meals, and responsibilities, can lead to challenges for both kids and parents. While the holiday break provides much-needed downtime, maintaining a sense of routine and discipline is essential to ensure your child’s well-being and prevent unhealthy habits from creeping in.

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Tips on Managing Behavior During Holiday Break

Below are four practical tips to help you keep some structure at home during the holidays, without sacrificing the fun or the holiday spirit.

1. Create a Flexible Daily Schedule

One of the biggest struggles parents face during the holiday season is managing the lack of structure. Without the daily demands of school, it’s easy for children to stay up late, sleep in, and skip regular activities like meals or chores. The key is to create a flexible routine that provides a predictable rhythm without the rigidity of school schedules. Consider flexible start and end times for activities. However, meals, family times, and sleep schedules should remain consistent. Incorporating planned activities, like outdoor play, a holiday craft session, or reading time, can add structure while allowing for creativity and fun.

2. Maintain Healthy Sleep Habits

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (https://aasm.org/), maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, even during vacations, is vital for children’s emotional and cognitive development. During the school year, kids often have early wake-up times and clear bedtime routines. The holiday break, with its late-night movie marathons, holiday parties, and general excitement, can easily lead to disrupted sleep patterns. Unfortunately, inconsistent sleep not only affects mood but can also impact a child’s ability to concentrate and regulate emotions. While it’s fine to have a more relaxed bedtime on occasion, try to keep the overall sleep schedule consistent. Aim for a set wake-up time and bedtime, even if it’s a little later than usual. Avoid screens for at least 30 minutes before bedtime and encourage relaxing pre-sleep activities like reading or listening to calming music.

3. Incorporate Responsibility and Chores

With the holiday break, there’s a temptation to let chores slide and let kids relax fully. While it’s important to give them some downtime, it’s equally important to keep them engaged in family responsibilities. Maintaining responsibilities, even simple ones, helps children feel a sense of purpose and structure. Set small, age-appropriate tasks that kids can take on during the break. These can be related to holiday preparations, like decorating the house, wrapping gifts, or organizing their play area. Alternatively, you can assign regular household chores such as setting the table, feeding pets, or tidying up their rooms. Even if they’re only contributing in small ways, these tasks can help reinforce a sense of discipline and teamwork.

4. Set Limits on Screen Time and Digital Devices

The holiday break often means more screen time—whether it’s watching movies, playing video games, or using devices for online socializing. While technology can be a great way to unwind, too much screen time can disrupt sleep, contribute to sedentary behavior, and interfere with face-to-face interactions. Additionally, data from the American Psychological Association notes excessive use of screens is linked to emotional and behavioral problems in teens. It’s important to set clear boundaries for screen time during the holidays. Encourage outdoor play, creative activities, or family games that don’t involve screens. For example, you could schedule a family walk or create a holiday scavenger hunt. If your children want to use devices, limit their screen time to a specific duration (e.g., 1-2 hours per day) and be sure to have time for other activities, such as reading, crafting, or spending time with family members.

While the holiday break offers a well-deserved respite from the usual school routine, maintaining a sense of discipline and structure is important for your child’s well-being. By creating a flexible schedule, maintaining healthy sleep and eating habits, incorporating responsibilities, and setting limits on screen time, you can help your child stay balanced during this festive season. A little planning can go a long way in ensuring that both kids and parents enjoy a stress-free and happy holiday break.