As school holidays and holiday seasons approach, your child will have lots of spare time and energy. Here are 7 ways to manage your child’s holiday routine.
7 Ways To Manage Your Child’s Routine During The Holidays
1 – Ensuring your child gets sufficient sleep and food
When your child is in school, they have a timetable to follow, their routine is almost always the same. They would wake up at the same time, do the same things, follow through the day and go to bed at the same time again at the end of the day.
It is a good idea to keep the momentum going, allow your child to get sufficient sleep even during the holidays. Ensure that their sleeping schedule is the same every night, so it does not disrupt their rest.
Studies have shown that these are the optimal number of hours of sleep your child should be getting.
| Age | Number hours of sleep |
| 3 to 5 years old | 10 to 13 hours per 24 hours (including naps) |
| 6 to 12 year old | 9 to 12 hours per 24 hours |
| 13 to 18 years old | 8 to 10 hours per 24 hours |
On the other hand, eating enough is also crucial for your child’s growth. Make it a habit to have your child eat at the same time every day too. It is important to ensure that your child is eating enough and getting enough nutrients to grow.
“Regardless of age, we function better when we eat and sleep right,” Grow said.
2 – Establish a strict screen time
As much as the children nowadays can be occupied by technology such as laptops, phones and tablets, your child should still enjoy nature and outdoor fun.
Always encourage your child to explore outdoors instead of always being on the phone. Children nowadays hardly even go out anymore because their eyes are constantly glued to the screen.
On top of that, parents also do not have as much time to accompany their children, technology seems like the easy way out to get some ‘rest time’ from the kids.
It sure would be a sad childhood if your child grew up to realise all they ever did was watch youtube videos all day.
Therefore, set a strict screen time for your child and instead of the addictive games on the laptops, head outdoors to get some fresh air with your kids.
3 – Family time
Leading up from point 2, family time should and is highly encouraged to be incorporated into your child’s routine.
Intentionally make time to spend with your child as a family. Parents can see this as a getaway from the hectic reality of work and responsibilities.
Interaction is a huge part of your child’s development and growth. Additionally, it strengthens your bonds as a family, over time your child will grow enough trust and confidence. Therefore, keep in mind to make intentional family plans together. It could be something as simple as going grocery shopping together, taking your time to stroll down the aisle or go outdoors for camping or bike riding as a family.
Anything that floats your boat, parents deserve a break too!
4 – Ask your child for an opinion
Your older children may have an idea of what they wish to do during their holidays. Listen to their opinions and see if their plans are viable. Discuss the details with them and have them work it out together with you.
Your child may have a hobby they enjoy doing, and as a parent, it is important to encourage your child as much as possible.
Hobbies are a great way for your child to grow and develop new skills. It is something that they are passionate about, hence as parents, you should give them the space they need to grow by themselves.
5 – Put up the schedule on the wall
Putting up the schedule helps serve as a reminder to your child. Make it a habit for your child to refer to the planned schedule every morning to remind them of their agenda for the day.
Additionally, have your child carry a watch so they know when they need to move onto the next activity. Alternatively, you can remind your child when it’s time to stop using the laptop or time to help you in the kitchen.
6 – Encourage and incentivize your child
Give thanks and encourage your child when they make the effort to follow the plans or do something that is commendable.
Acknowledging your child’s efforts gives them a boost in their confidence and helps them to register the right values.
When they are acknowledged for the right things, it instils the correct values and they will understand that the certain action made somebody happy.
Be gentle with your child too when they make mistakes, explain to them why it is wrong and what should be done instead. This helps your child to understand
Incentivise your child by bringing them out to their favourite playground or another form of playtime that they enjoy.
7- Educate your child on the world’s happenings
During the holidays, you can start to let your child know what is going on in the world. The climate change issues that we are facing etc. This is a great time to let your child understand the happenings in the world. This could spark your child’s interest to find out more.
These 7 points are ways to manage your child’s routine during their holidays. Tutopiya hopes this guide comes in handy for parents who are looking to instil good habits in their child even during their holidays.
Read also: 4 Useful and Effective Time Management Tips for Students
