Surviving and Thriving: Resetting Family Routines for the Summer Break

School’s out—and suddenly, the daily structure your family relied on is gone. It’s normal to feel a little lost when routines shift, but this is also a chance to create rhythms that work for your family right now.

Why Routines Matter:
Routines help children feel safe and parents feel sane. Even loose structure provides a sense of predictability, which can lower stress for everyone.

Reset, Don’t Recreate:
You don’t have to copy school routines at home. Instead, you may consider to co-create a new daily flow with your children—include time for play, rest, meals, and quiet. Let your routine be a flexible guide, not a strict schedule.

Involve Your Children:
Ask for their input. What do they want more of this summer? Giving children a say increases their buy-in and helps things run more smoothly.

Build in Buffer Time:
Expect some trial and error. Allow for downtime and be gentle with yourself when things don’t go as planned.

Conclusion:
A summer routine doesn’t have to be perfect—it just needs to support your family’s needs. Embrace the season, stay flexible, and remember: you’re doing better than you think.