Making the Most of Your Child’s Holiday Break

by Malena A. Jackson
Dec 22, 2014
3 min read

For most kids across America, this week begins the official holiday vacation from school. For me, this time used to feel like FOREVER! Having all kids at home ALL at once used to be daunting…until, I got smart about the idea.

Sure, my kids are out of school for three weeks, but to be honest, that time will fly by. This is a good time for us to take care of business. We’ll work on those pesky math problems that we don’t take the extra time to focus on during the regular school year, now is a good time to rebraid the girls’ hair, go to the dentist and tryout our back up nanny.

Before I get ahead of myself, let’s take the time to explore how this holiday season can serve you well when it comes to taking care of business.

Map Out Your Plan

If you want anything to be AMAZING, you’ll need a plan. I like to take out a calendar and look at the days ahead. Sure, the kids are out for three weeks but not all 21 days can be used for something productive. You’ll need to take into account that the doctor’s office has holiday hours and will probably be closed or close early, the family get together that you’re planning and the fact that most places will actually be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

From my scope, out of the 21 days, I’ll only use 9 of them to actually get things done. It’s best to plug in your “Must Dos” and work around those dates. I highly recommend that you take a look at this calendar about 6 weeks ahead of time so that you can make your appointments in advance.

Slow It Down

It’s the holiday season. Most people are running around trying to find the perfect gift or visiting family and friends and traveling more. I’ve learned that with little kids, it’s best to stay home during the holiday season. Meaning, traveling by air is a big no, no. It’s really not worth the time and headache. I like to use this time to chill…at home or within a 50 mile radius of home. If you are currently parenting little ones, encourage your family to come to you, if you are longing to be together for the holidays. s parents of young children, the holiday season is a good time to slow down. Depending on your field of work, things are typically slower at the office so there’s no need to work long hours or go in early, for that matter. Use your holiday as a time to plug in and recharge with your family.

Make Up for Lost Time or Try Something New

If you’ve been putting off potty training your child or helping them become flawless with multiplication tables, now is a good time to tackle that challenge. Your stress level is down or it should be, which means you’ll be more patient and you will give off good vibes, which will in turn, encourage your child to achieve whatever goal that’s on the table.

The holiday season is also a good time to try that new babysitter or nanny that you’ve been considering. This works well because you will be more prone to train and communicate, with ease exactly what you need when it comes to child care. Starting your new nanny over the holiday break is genius! You'll want to schedule this time with him or her, well in advance so that you two can plan around possible travel, family time and get togethers.

Tis the Season No matter how you choose to use your time this holiday, tis the season! Spend time with your loved ones, enjoy fun, refreshing drinks and be sure to make your home a little more cozy. These elements make for fond holiday memories for kids. While, the gifts are AWESOME sauce, having a loving and encouraging family, far outweighs them all. Tis the season!

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