Managing Behaviour in Kids During School Holidays
Ah, school holidays… the magical time when routines fly out the window, snack requests quadruple, and boredom becomes a full-time job. For families of children with behavioural challenges, this time of year can feel less like a break and more like a pressure cooker. But don’t worry, you’re not alone, and with a little support and a whole lot of heart, holidays can be enjoyable for everyone.
For children with disabilities or those navigating children’s mental health challenges, the sudden lack of structure can trigger behaviours that are tricky to manage. What looks like defiance or “bad behaviour” is often a child’s way of saying, I’m overwhelmed and I don’t know how to cope right now.
Why Holidays Can Be a Rollercoaster
When school’s out, that comforting daily routine disappears, and with it go the predictability and support many kids depend on. The result?
- Extra emotional outbursts
- The return of the 4am wake-up club
- Meltdowns at the shopping centre
- Siblings arguing like it’s a competitive sport
Throw in the excitement, overstimulation, and lack of downtime, and it’s easy to see why holidays can be a challenging time for children (and let’s be honest—for adults too).
Tips for Keeping Your Sanity and Supporting Your Child
Here’s how to keep the peace (and maybe even have some fun):
- Keep Some Sort of Routine: You don’t need to run your house like a boot camp, but keeping a general rhythm, like consistent mealtimes and wind-down routines, helps children feel safe and regulated.
- Use Visuals and Plans: Visual schedules are a lifesaver. If your child thrives on knowing what’s next, create a simple chart with pictures. Spoiler alert: it also cuts down on the never-ending questions.
- Schedule Downtime: Yes, adventures are great, but so is chilling out in PJs with a sensory bin or a good picture book. Everyone (including you) needs time to reset.
- Prep for Outings: Before heading out, talk through the plan, where you’re going, what they’ll see, and what the expectations are. Bonus points for using social stories or visual prompts.
- Celebrate the Little Wins: They made it through the grocery store without a meltdown? That’s a win. They shared a toy for more than 8 seconds? Also a win. Praise builds confidence and helps reinforce positive behaviours.
When You Need Some Backup
At Rock Support Services, we specialise in child and youth support, and we get how tough it can be when you’re juggling behaviours of concern and trying to keep the holiday cheer alive. Our team develops targeted behavioural strategies to help children and young people, especially those with disabilities, feel confident, connected, and in control.
Whether it’s support with routines, social engagement, or navigating transitions, we work alongside families to build practical tools that work not just in theory, but in real life (yes, even during the school holidays).
Our goal? To reduce the stress and increase the smiles by supporting children in achieving meaningful participation in social and community life, because every child deserves to feel confident in their environment.
School holidays don’t have to be survival mode. With a little planning, a dash of patience, and the right supports, they can be a time for fun, connection, and even a bit of rest (fingers crossed).
If your child is finding the holidays extra challenging and you’d like help creating a tailored behaviour plan, get in touch with us at Rock Support Services. Whether you need guidance with children’s mental health, support for children with disabilities, or expert help with child and youth support, we’re here to help.