Over My Dad Body

The holiday break looks different for every family. Some pack their days shopping for gifts, traveling, or visiting loved ones, while others just kick back and recharge. Whether your child spent the break tackling hobbies or glued to a screen, getting them back into the school routine can feel like a big challenge.

Shaking off the holiday vibes isn’t easy, regardless of your child’s age. As a dad of a tween, I totally get the ‘that-Sunday-afternoon-feel.’ My daughter feels the same way; only for her, it’s the ‘back-to-school-feel’ that hit hard after a long break.

The good news is that the post-holiday blues don’t last forever. But that doesn’t mean the transition is a breeze. Luckily, there are ways to help your child feel more confident and ready to dive back into school.

Keep reading for practical and simple tips to get your child excited about returning to class after the holidays.

What Happens to Routines During the Holiday Break?

During the “most wonderful time of the year,” the routines we have painstakingly set up tend to go out the window. We focus on spending time together and exploring new places, so things like bedtime schedules and daily structure take a backseat.

This happens in most families, and it’s totally normal. At Christmas time, we often lean on what most parents call “crutches”—extra treats, more screen time, or little indulgences that aren’t usually part of our everyday life.

Are Disrupted Routines a Bad Thing?

Not at all! In fact, taking a break from routine can be a great way to recharge.

The tricky part is getting back to normal once the holidays are over. Children, especially, can struggle with the transition since they haven’t been through it as many times as we adults have. Keeping that in mind can help make the shift back to regular life a little smoother for everyone.

How to Make the Transition Back to Routine Smooth and Easy

Returning to the groove after a holiday break can be a real challenge. Breaks throw everything off, but as parents, we can tackle the changes by focusing on what works best for our kids.

Here’s my approach to rebuilding routines after the holidays—a mix of gentle strategies and practical steps I’ve picked up through a lot of trial and error.

Take an Extra Day Off

Holiday breaks are important for parents and their kids because they give us a chance to unwind, step back from work, and reset. The season is often filled with time spent with friends and family, cooking special dishes, and enjoying classic holiday events. But with all the fun comes the disruption of routines and a drained social battery.

The holidays can feel like total chaos, and then suddenly, we’re expected to jump back into our everyday routines. But that’s not how our nervous systems work. They need some downtime.

So, when planning your holiday season, try to set aside one or two days at the end just to breathe, relax, and enjoy some quiet time at home.

Gradually Ease Your Child Back Into Routine

It’s really helpful to ease your child into their routine before school starts again. If they have completely shifted their schedule during the break, jumping right back into the usual routine the night before school can be a tough adjustment.

I suggest that before jumping into the full routine, take a moment to figure out what’s most important to focus on first. For most children, the priority is getting back to a regular sleep schedule.

Start by having your child go to bed and wake up just 15 minutes earlier each day to help them gradually adjust. Once everyone is feeling more comfortable with the sleep schedule, you can add other pieces of the routine, like getting out of their pajamas and taking a bath (at least) before noon.

Remind Them of the Fun of Reconnecting with Friends

For most students (my tween daughter included), heading back to school can mean facing the pressure and workload that come with it, especially for middle and high schoolers. If your child is anxious about returning, consider setting up a small playdate with their school friends.

For older kids, encourage them to meet up with friends in person during the break. This can remind them of their friendships and show them that returning to school can be fun. It also helps break the ice after not seeing classmates for a while, boosting their confidence when they return to the classroom.

As parents, we might stay connected with others through social media during the break. But for our kids, seeing their friends having fun without them can lead to feelings of isolation. I recommend checking in regularly with your teen and keeping an eye on their social media activity to ensure they are feeling connected and supported.

Don’t Fall into the Trap of Putting Off Schoolwork for Later

Children tend to forget about homework or the supplies they need when heading back to school after a long holiday break. Procrastinating on these tasks can lead to unnecessary stress for both kids and parents.

To help avoid this, gently remind older children about their assignments throughout the break so they don’t feel rushed when school is about to start. You could also take them shopping for school supplies during after-holiday sales, making it a fun way to get them excited about using the supplies in the classroom.

Try prepping the night before school starts to set everyone up for a smooth transition. Lay out your child’s clothes, prepare simple breakfasts and lunches, and pack their backpacks ahead of time. This little prep work makes the first day back feel less stressful.

As a bonus, maybe you can celebrate both the break your child had and their return to learning. A special dinner, snack, or even a trip to the bookstore after they return can help create a positive association with learning.

Make Time to Talk About It

Take some time to talk with your child (or tween) about the upcoming school events, any projects they might have forgotten about, and what they can be excited about when school starts again. This is also a good opportunity to discuss any worries they might have about returning to school and reconnecting with friends.

Having this conversation can ease their anxieties and remind them of what they enjoy about school. It might also be a good idea for older kids to set some academic New Year’s resolutions after the holiday break.

Keeping a few school-like activities in place during the break, like reading, practicing math problems, or doing science experiments, can help your child transition back to school instead of spending too much time on their gadgets.

Reassure Your Child That It’s OK Not to Be OK

Even with your best efforts, it is completely normal for your child to have mixed feelings when returning to school after the holiday break. Encourage them to share their feelings, and don’t hesitate to reach out to the school’s support network if they are having a hard time.

If your child is struggling during the first week back, it might help to let a classmate, a teacher, or another school staff member know. This way, the school is aware and can offer extra support if needed, and your child will feel reassured knowing both you and their teacher are there to help them transition back.

Remember that while it might take a little time, your child will soon get back into the swing of things. If all goes well during those first few weeks, consider celebrating with a small weekend activity your child can look forward to.

Acknowledge Your Child’s Emotions

Whatever way your child is adjusting to the back-to-school transition, it’s important to remind them that their feelings are completely valid. Kids really benefit when parents give them the space to express themselves openly, as it shows them that you are always there to support them.

You can also help normalize their feelings by sharing that, just like them, you sometimes feel a little down after the holidays.

Schedule Some Quality Time After the Holidays

During the Christmas break, kids usually get to spend more quality time with their friends and loved ones, so it’s natural for them to feel a little sad when that time ends.

To keep the feeling of togetherness going, plan some fun family activities for the weekends in January and February. You could mark them on a calendar or even print out a list to hang on the fridge so everyone has a fun reminder of what’s coming up.

Patience is Key

Christmastime is such a joyful season for many kids. They get to sleep in, trade homework for fun activities, and enjoy sweet treats with their families. It’s no surprise, then, that they often have difficulty getting back into their usual routine come January.

Feeling a little overwhelmed when it’s time to get back on track after a vacation is okay. Giving yourself and your children some much-needed space and taking things one step at a time can make the transition much easier. We are all adjusting, and that’s perfectly normal.

If you have tried the tips above and your child is still having a tough time, take a deep breath and be patient. Things might not go as smoothly as we hope, and that’s okay. Remind yourself and your family to be patient with each other—and don’t forget to be kind to that inner voice telling you everything should be perfect. Embrace the transition; before you know it, everyone will be back to their old self.