Handling the holidays
Experts share their tips for navigating the holidays with your children.
Between school breaks, travel plans and family gatherings, holidays can bring as much pressure as joy. We know it can be an exhausting time, particularly for parents and caregivers. We asked experts for their tips on navigating some of the challenges that holidays can bring for many families.
Jump to:
- How do I prepare young children for the change in routine during the holidays?
- What precautions can we take to stay healthy during holiday travel?
- I find the holidays overwhelming trying to balance everything. What can I do?
- How do I best navigate co-parenting during the holiday?
- How can I avoid excessive screentime with my little one during the holidays?
- How do I talk to family members about not posting photos of my children online?
- How can I help my kids prepare for the return to school?
1. How do I prepare young children for the change in routine during the holidays?
Pam Tudin-Buchalter is a mother, psychologist, author and co-founder of teen ed-tech company KLIKD.
Holidays can sound dreamy on paper – no school runs, no lunchboxes, no “where’s your other shoe?” But for kids, routine isn’t just structure – it’s psychological scaffolding. When that scaffolding suddenly disappears, some kids float happily… and others feel a bit lost without their usual rhythm. Here’s how to help support them.
3-6 years: Little ones thrive on predictability. When school stops, their bodies and brains still expect the rhythm.
Try this: Create a mini-holiday rhythm. For example: Breakfast – play – outing – quiet time – activity – dinner – bath – bed.
Use visuals: A little picture chart on the fridge can work wonders (even stick figures count).
Give micro-choices: “Should we do bike riding or go for a walk after breakfast?”. This keeps them feeling in control, not adrift.
7-10 years: This age group needs structure… but the fun kind.
Try this: A weekly plan that feels like freedom. For example: “Make something Monday” and “Friend Friday”.
Plan tech time in predictable pockets: Not all day, not none – just anchored.
Build-in responsibilities in simple, empowering ways. Even one small daily task can help them feel capable and connected – “holiday helper” badges work surprisingly well!
Keep it flexible enough to match what your family and situation can realistically manage.
2. What precautions can we take to stay healthy during holiday travel?
Dr. Alok Patel is a father, paediatrician at Stanford Children's hospital and ABC News correspondent.
Your holiday “to-do” list should definitely include precautions to keep yourself and your family healthy. Prevention is the name of the game, and that starts with vaccines. Make sure everyone is up to date and remember that vaccines like influenza can take up to two weeks to reach their full protective effect, so plan ahead before big trips or gatherings.
Prevention is the name of the game, and that starts with vaccines.
Next, always practice good hygiene. Wash your hands often, clean high-touch surfaces and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. If you’re travelling, remember how many germs can linger on door handles, tray tables, headrests and seatbelt buckles so always wash your hands before eating or drinking.
If you’re feeling sick, do the selfless thing and skip gatherings. If you must go out, consider wearing a mask to reduce spreading illness. I know it’s difficult to miss out on holiday fun but think of others, especially those who are high risk.
Finally, set yourself up to heal well if you do get sick. Prioritize sleep, hydration, nutrition and stress management. The holidays can get busy, but listen to your body, slow down when you can and give your immune system the support it needs. Kids watch everything you do! Model these preventive habits for them, and you’ll keep the holidays healthier for everyone.
3. I find the holidays overwhelming trying to balance everything. What can I do?
Lucie Cluver is a mother and Professor of Child and Family Social Work at Oxford University.
With the joys and stresses of the holidays, don’t forget to take care of yourself too! Do something each day that helps you to feel calm like listening to a song that makes you happy, speaking to a friend or simply taking time to sit and breathe.
And remember that none of us are perfect.
And remember that none of us are perfect. Try to take a moment each day to praise yourself for one good thing you have done for your children. We all have moments we’d like to do differently, and each day is a new chance. You’re doing your best, and that truly counts.
4. How do I best navigate co-parenting during the holiday?
Lisa Damour is a mother, psychologist, author and New York Times contributor.
Co-parenting during the holidays can be challenging, especially if each parent has their own hopes and traditions in mind. The best way to navigate this time is to keep your child’s well-being at the centre of every decision. This means communicating clearly, planning ahead and being as flexible as circumstances allow. That said, kids thrive on predictability, so offering them a simple outline of what to expect will go a long way toward helping them enjoy the holidays. Where safety concerns or legal arrangements guide your decisions, let those be your starting point.
The best way to navigate this time is to keep your child’s well-being at the centre of every decision.
Remember: You and your co-parent don’t have to celebrate in identical ways; what matters most is that your child feels loved, supported and free to enjoy time with their whole family.
5. How can I find ways with my little one to avoid excessive screentime during the holidays?
Jacqueline Nesi is a mother, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University and author of the weekly newsletter Techno Sapiens.
The holidays can be a natural time for a bit more screen time, given the change in routine and increase in unscheduled time, and that is okay! But if you feel that the screen time with your young child is becoming excessive, or it is just not working for your family, I would offer a few suggestions:
First, I'd suggest developing a predictable routine around screen time. For example, choosing a particular time of day or length of time when screen time will happen.
Second, make sure you're considering what is happening outside of screen time. You can help your child engage in other activities, whether it's getting outside for a family walk, playing a game or with toys or helping bake a holiday recipe.
You can even take this a step farther by developing an "I'm bored" list. Work with your child to brainstorm ideas and refer back to the list when boredom strikes!
One other consideration is the type of screen time your child is engaging in – all screen time is not made equal! Try to find what works for your child and family. Make sure the content is age-appropriate and aim for high-quality shows that are educational and/or model values (like kindness and gratitude).
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6. How do I talk to family members about not posting photos of my children online?
Stacey Steinberg is a mother, law professor, author and Director of University of Florida’s Program on Children and Families.
Here’s a gentle way you could frame it, keeping your appreciation front and centre while clearly setting your boundary:
"Thank you for always capturing those sweet moments of the kids. I’d love for us to keep those photos within our family circle, rather than sharing them on social media. Could we agree that all pictures are shared only with close family or even saved in a private album, so we can enjoy them without making them public? This compromise would help me feel comfortable knowing those memories stay as close to home as we’d like."
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7. How can I help my kids prepare for the return to school?
Dr. Hina Talib is a mother, paediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist.
Returning to school after the holidays is often hard. Children's bodies and brains have adjusted to freedom, flexible schedules and more family time. Then suddenly, they're expected to sit still and focus for hours. The resistance and fatigue you see aren't defiance – they're normal adjustment responses.
The resistance and fatigue you see aren't defiance – they're normal adjustment responses.
Try to start rebuilding school routines three to five days before classes resume: Gradually shift bedtimes earlier (15-20 minutes per night where possible), reinstate regular mealtimes in a rhythm that fits your family and situation, and build in structured activities during school-day hours.
Prepare together the night before – lay out clothes, pack bags and review what to expect. Your calm, matter-of-fact energy on tough mornings reassures children more than any pep talk.
Most importantly, remember that full adjustment takes one to two weeks, not one day. The grogginess and grumpiness will pass as their systems recalibrate to school rhythms.
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