From Survive to Thrive: Mama's Guide to Spring Break
Spring break is just around the corner for most of us.
For many parents, spring break can be a struggle. Schedules are off, kids are home and maintaining any self-care routine can be difficult.
Whether you are traveling, staying home with kids during spring break, or working full-time while your kids are on break, the change in pace can be wonderful - if you prepare for it.
I’d like to help you move from simply surviving to thriving this spring break.
Here are 15 ideas to help you enjoy spring break with your kids.
1. Find activities that are free
You want to make spring break special for your kids by doing activities they wouldn’t normally do, but don’t want to spend lots of money. There are so many free or low cost activities to do if you just look. Download the Free (or Low Cost) Activities for Spring Break Guide for more ideas.
2. Plan 1 activity each day for yourself
What are activities that fill you up? Help you feel normal and calm? It could be as simple as drinking your morning coffee alone, dancing to music with your kids while you cook dinner together, or taking a bath at night when the kids go to sleep. Create a list of things and then pick one every day. Write it down or say it out loud when you wake up.
3. Schedule a babysitter in advance
If you plan to be off for spring break with the kids, schedule a night out with your spouse/partner or a night out with friends. Midweek is probably a good time. Get it on the schedule now so you aren’t scrambling at the last minute.
4. Pay attention
Focus your attention on each thing you are doing. This will help you feel more present with your kids, which will lead you to feel better overall. If you’re playing with your children, really play with them. If you’re listening to your teenager, really listen to them. If you’re catching up on work, put your attention there. You’ll feel less scattered if you are giving your full attention to each task.
5. Plan activities that everyone looks forward to
Spring break can be a great time to enjoy being together as a family. Brainstorm some ideas for activities to do over spring break as a family so everyone enjoys the time together (including you, of course!)
6. Working over spring break? Plan special activities in the evening or on the weekend
For working moms, spring break can bring up feelings of guilt when you can’t spend extra time with the kids on days off. You may want to take a day off from work so you can have some special time with the kids. If taking a day off isn’t possible, schedule an evening or weekend to do something special with the kids.
7. Prepare your schedule in advance
Preparing for spring break will lead to greater peace of mind. With your kids, create a rough schedule several days or weeks prior to spring break so you have some ideas in mind. If you’re more spontaneous (and don’t want to create a schedule), create a list of activities to choose from each day. What activities do your kids want to do? Where do they want to go? What activities can you plan to do at home? Look for local events or activities.
8. Say yes to “Quiet Time” every day
Schedule a quiet time each day (in the afternoon) for the whole family where everyone is in their bedroom and doing a quiet activity, such as reading, writing, or napping. Mama, you need to use that time to rest, read or do any other activity that fills you up as well!
9. Maintain family routines
Even though spring break can be a fun and unique week, resist the desire to overload your days. Maintain or create daily routines as much as you can to decrease the tendency for spring break to become too overloaded with too much stimulation, electronics and sugar.
10. Create a coping skills kit
If you’re worried about becoming stressed out during spring break, keep a “coping skills kit” you can easily reach for when feeling overwhelmed. Grab a box and fill it with soothing items such as essential oils, calming photos, putty (here is my favorite), and soft stones. This is also a great activity to do with the kids!
11. Release high expectations
Nothing ruins a good time like feeling disappointed that your expectations weren’t met. Keep your expectations realistic and focus on what goes well every day instead of regretting what does not go well. If you have small children, it may be realistic to go only one place every day (and that place may be the grocery store)! If your kids are staying at grandma’s house all week while you work, it may be realistic to plan 1 special night doing something as a family.
12. Don’t sweat it if spring break isn’t exciting
Spring break can be memorable no matter where you spend it. Just having the extra time can be meaningful for you and your kids. But it can also be miserable if you or your kids focus on what you’re “not” able to do. It is totally okay (and normal) if you don’t go on a vacation for spring break. Your kids are watching you— try to approach spring break with gratitude for what goes well, instead of griping about what you wish would have happened.
13. Identify problem areas in advance and make a plan.
Brainstorm the biggest struggles for your kids and ways to prevent these from getting out of control. Do your kids fight with each other? Create incentives to encourage them to get along. Is your child wanting your constant attention? Set up a play-date or take them to a park where they can play with other kids and you can enjoy the fresh air. Your kids only want to watch tv? Set up the expectation that certain things needs to be done first (examples: doing an activity as a family, completing chores, etc.) before tv or electronics are allowed. You can also create a family rule where electronics are only allowed for shorter periods in the day.
14. Let your kids create their own fun.
You don’t need to plan every activity for your kids. It’s actually really healthy for kids to entertain themselves. If you hear the words: “I’m so bored, Mom,” just take a deep breath, resist the urge to recommend anything and encourage your kids to find something on their own. Keep electronics off limits during this time.
15. Maintain your regular routine
Do you journal every night before bed? Are you accustomed to exercising during the week? Do you normally have a night or morning “off” each week to do mama self-care? Try to maintain these routines for yourself so you stay grounded during the week. Instead of thinking “I can’t do that, it’ll be spring break,” ask yourself: “how can I make this work for me?” and set it up so you can still do things that fill you up.
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