Ah, the holidays—a whirlwind of joy, chaos, sugar highs, and completely obliterated routines. At my house, it’s a magical time packed with laughter, late-night cookie baking, and about 32 reruns of that one animated snowman movie. But eventually, reality taps you on the shoulder—usually right around the moment the school email reminder hits your inbox.
Getting back on track after all that fun? It’s like trying to land a wobbly airplane with your eyes half-closed. I’ve lived through this transition enough times (sometimes gracefully, sometimes... not) to know a few key strategies that actually work. So pull up a chair, breathe in that faint scent of gingerbread still lingering in the air, and let’s dive into the surprisingly doable process of rebuilding routines with kids after the holidays.
Why Routines Matter More Than You Think
Before we get tactical, let’s get philosophical—because understanding why routines matter makes it easier to prioritize them.
1. They Provide Security
Routines give kids a predictable rhythm, which builds emotional safety. After weeks of parties, late bedtimes, and general mayhem, that stability becomes especially important.
2. They Reinforce Independence
When kids know what’s coming next, they become more self-sufficient. My daughter once reminded me it was story time—proof that consistency pays off.
3. They Reduce Meltdowns (Mostly)
No magic wand here, but predictable schedules mean fewer surprises, which equals fewer tantrums. It’s not foolproof, but it helps a lot.
Personal Insight
To help my kids buy into the whole "structure is good" idea, we made a superhero chart—each task was a mission. They started owning their routines like they were saving the world, capes optional.
Resetting the Sleep Routine (Without Tears)
If there’s one thing the holidays love to destroy, it’s sleep schedules. Between family visits and festive movie marathons, bedtimes become optional. Getting back to a proper sleep rhythm can feel like climbing Everest in fuzzy socks.
1. Adjust in Increments
Start nudging bedtime earlier by 15-minute intervals a few days before school resumes. It’s subtle enough that kids barely notice—and way more effective than a full-hour shift.
2. Build a Calming Routine
Signal wind-down time with predictable activities: warm baths, bedtime stories, dim lights. No screens, sugar, or wild dance-offs 30 minutes before lights out (learned that one the hard way).
3. Make Mornings Matter
Consistent wake-up times help recalibrate the internal clock. Even if there’s no school yet, encourage kids to rise and shine around the same time they normally would.
Personal Insight
One winter break, I tried going cold turkey—early bedtime on Sunday night before school. Huge mistake. Now, we start our "sleep reset" the Wednesday before. It’s saved us from morning meltdowns and chaotic lunch-packing frenzies.
Bringing Back Mealtime Structure
If your kitchen became a 24/7 snack station during the holidays, you’re not alone. But mealtimes matter—especially when transitioning back to a balanced, predictable routine.
1. Reintroduce Scheduled Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a couple of structured snacks—bring back the rhythm. It’ll reset hunger cues and help kids feel grounded.
2. Limit Grazing
Encourage full meals by making snacks smaller and spacing them out. At our house, the “kitchen is closed” after certain hours—visual signs help if you’ve got little ones who like to sneak cheese sticks at 10 PM.
3. Make Mealtime Fun Again
Theme nights, silly placemats, or letting the kids help prep can add excitement. We once had a “Breakfast for Dinner” week, and suddenly everyone was thrilled to sit at the table again.
Personal Insight
Getting my kids back to regular meals after the holiday free-for-all wasn’t easy. So we created a color-coded meal board together—it gave them a sense of control, and now they actually look forward to Taco Tuesdays.
Reinforcing Study and School Habits
Holiday brain is real. After a week or two off, diving back into spelling lists and math homework feels... painful. But there are ways to ease the academic whiplash.
1. Start With Light Learning
Before the homework tsunami hits, warm up those brains with puzzles, journaling, or read-alouds. It’s like stretching before a workout—critical and often skipped.
2. Create a Study-Ready Space
Declutter desks, sharpen pencils, and add a little sparkle—a lamp, fresh calendar, or even a motivational quote. When the space feels fresh, it’s more inviting.
3. Reward Focus, Not Just Completion
Instead of rewarding just “getting it done,” praise focus and effort. Sticker charts, extra bedtime stories, or five minutes of dance party break can go a long way.
Personal Insight
We once turned a boring math worksheet into a scavenger hunt. Each correct answer led to a hidden “clue” around the house. Took longer—but the engagement level? Off the charts.
Keeping Family Time a Priority
The holidays are packed with togetherness—but that often disappears once schedules fill up again. Keeping a sliver of that connection alive helps routines feel supportive, not strict.
1. Protect One Night a Week
Whether it’s movie night, board games, or kitchen karaoke, choose one evening to unplug and just be together—no agenda, just joy.
2. Make Mornings Mellow
Rushed mornings = grumpy moods. Prep lunches and clothes the night before and try playing music during breakfast. It shifts the tone and helps keep things on schedule.
3. Create Traditions That Last
Simple routines like “High/Low” at dinner—sharing the best and worst parts of your day—help build emotional connection in small, consistent ways.
Personal Insight
After one particularly rocky post-holiday return, we launched “Sunday Reboot.” Pancakes, a short family meeting about the week ahead, and a shared chore blitz. It’s now sacred—and shockingly effective.
Balancing Screen Time (and Surviving the Negotiation)
During the holidays, screen time tends to soar. Resetting limits is often met with resistance, but the key is structure—not cold-turkey shutdowns.
1. Set Clear Time Blocks
Create “screen windows” during the day and stick to them. Clarity makes enforcement easier—no more battles over arbitrary cutoffs.
2. Offer Alternatives (That Don’t Feel Like Punishment)
Have a list of go-to alternatives ready: crafts, LEGO challenges, backyard scavenger hunts, or audiobooks. Bonus points if you rotate them.
3. Be a Screen Role Model
Hard truth: if we’re glued to our phones, our kids notice. I started setting a “parent phone basket” during evening hours—and I was the one who struggled most at first!
Personal Insight
We added a “device-free zone” sign to the dinner table. My oldest rolled his eyes the first week—then started reminding me to put my phone down. Progress.
Bringing Back Chores and Responsibility (Without the Groans)
During the holidays, even the most chore-responsible kids go off-duty. Bringing back household responsibilities helps ground them and ease back into expectations.
1. Reintroduce Gently
Start with low-effort, visible tasks like making their bed or feeding the pets. Small wins build momentum.
2. Use Visual Trackers
Charts, tokens, and checklists make chores tangible. We use dry-erase boards and let the kids decorate theirs—it boosts ownership.
3. Praise the Effort, Not Just the Result
It’s easy to say “thanks for taking out the trash.” But try, “I love how you remembered without a reminder today”—and watch their faces light up.
Personal Insight
We made chore time a family event with upbeat music and silly team names. “Operation Clean Sweep” sounds way more fun than “Do your chores.”
🫙 Tip Jar!
- Ease into Sleep: Reset those nocturnal holiday hours gradually. Think of it like “daylight savings” for tired parents.
- Superhero Routines: Little heroes save the day with structure! Incorporate costumes to unleash epic routine-following powers.
- Snack Attack Avoidance: Keep snack bandits at bay with scheduled meals that revive their appetite for real food.
- Treasure Trove Homework: Turn math woes into treasure-hunting victories one worksheet at a time.
- Family Fortress: Weekly family nights are your fortress when routine invaders try to overwhelm.
Wrapping Up the Routine (With a Side of Grace)
Here’s the thing—no one transitions back to routine perfectly. There will be late starts, skipped chores, and the occasional screen time negotiation that feels like an Olympic debate. But if you approach it with flexibility, a bit of creativity, and a whole lot of grace, you’ll find your groove again.
Rebuilding routines isn’t about controlling your kids—it’s about creating a framework where they (and you) can thrive. It’s the emotional equivalent of putting the holiday decorations back in the box: a little bittersweet, a little messy, but part of keeping life moving forward.
So shake off the glitter, grab a fresh calendar, and remember: you’ve done it before, and you’ll do it again—stronger, wiser, and with at least one leftover cookie for the road.
