How to Prep for the School Holidays Without Losing Your Cool
Ah, school holidays. Those two little words can spark both joy and panic into the hearts of parents everywhere. The kids are thrilled for two weeks of freedom, while you’re wondering: how on earth do I juggle work, meals, activities, and “Muuuuuum, I’m bored” without completely losing it? Our key advice: a little preparation goes a long way. With a few clever strategies you can go into the holidays feeling calm, relaxed and ready. Here’s your go-to guide for surviving, and dare we say, actually enjoying the school holidays. Meal PrepOne of the quickest ways to lose your cool during the holidays is being asked, “What’s for lunch?” approximately 17 times a day. Little people get hungrier when they’re home all day, and those snack requests are relentless. Pre-plan meals and snacks. Spend a couple of hours before the holidays chopping fruit, prepping veggie sticks, and stocking the fridge with easy grab-and-go options. Batch cook. Make a big lasagna, pasta bake, or curry that can serve multiple meals. Snack baskets. Pop a basket of snacks at kid-height in the fridge or pantry. That way, they can help themselves without needing to ask you 24/7. Toasties, fruit, and a packet of popcorn still count as lunch. It’s okay to keep it simple. Create a Flexible Holiday Routine Kids thrive on routine, even when there’s no school. And without some kind of daily routine, it can become chaotic quite quickly. Here’s an example: Morning: Play outside, beach trip, or park fun. Midday: Lunch and chill time (books, movies, or quiet play). Afternoon: Creative play like craft, Lego, baking, or an indoor activity. Why it works: having a gentle routine gives your littlie’s a sense of security and helps avoid the “What are we doing noooow?” whinge. And it takes the pressure off you from having to wing it every hour of the day. Schedule Downtime (for Them and You) It’s easy to feel like you need to keep kids entertained every second of the holidays. But boredom isn’t the enemy. In fact, it sparks of creativity. Encourage your littlie’s to play alone, read, draw, or watch a movie. Call it “rest time” instead of “nap time” if they’re older, it’s the same concept, basically. Remember, your downtime matters too. Even 15 minutes with a cup of coffee, or sitting outside in the sun can reset you. Stock Your “Rainy Day” Tub Create a stash of activities you only bring out during the holidays: New colouring books or craft kits A puzzle or board game they haven’t played before DIY baking kits Indoor scavenger hunts Keep these tucked away until you need them. Get Among the Great Outdoors Sunshine and fresh do wonders for kids’ moods. Ideas that don’t cost a thing: Bike rides Building sandcastles at the beach Backyard water play Exploring local walking trails The Gold Coast is basically one big playground. The more time they spend outside running off energy, the more relaxed your evenings will be. Win-win. Book in Babysitting Back-Up You don’t have to do it all yourself. If you have work commitments, want to go to the gym, or have an appointment, having a trusted babysitter on call will save the day. Why parents love holiday babysitting: You get time to recharge while your littlies are cared for. Sitters can keep kids entertained with games, crafts, or outings. Babysitting helps keep a sense of routine for the children when school’s out. Sometimes the best gift you can give your family is a less frazzled version of yourself. A babysitter makes that possible. Manage Expectations Not every day of the holidays needs to be Instagram-worthy. Instead of aiming for perfect, aim for good enough. A mix of planned fun, downtime, and a little support will carry you through beautifully. And if the kids have a few too many hours of screen time? Don’t worry about it. Holidays are about balance, not perfection. The school holidays don’t have to be something you dread. With a little prep and a babysitter in your corner, you can actually enjoy this time with your littlie’s, and definitely keep your cool. BOOK A SITTER