A parenting expert has revealed why she controversially believes keeping to the term time routine during the summer holidays may not actually be the best decision.
Specialist Kirsty Ketley, 42, has previously made headlines for revealing the worst parenting tips and myths that we should avoid.
Now, Surrey-based Kirsty, who is mum to Ella, 10, and Leo, six, has explained why, contrary to popular belief, parents shouldn’t feel guilty for letting the usual routines slip during the holidays.
“Worrying about routine can make things more stressful for everyone,” Kirsty told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
“You will find that rather than no routine, you will end up with a ‘holiday routine’ that differs from term time.
“This helps everyone to slow down and apart from the odd day when you might need to be up and out the door, most kids will enjoy a slower pace.
“It’s nigh on impossible to stick to the same routine that you have out of school holidays, in the school holidays.
“You need to be prepared that your routine is going to change.”
Kirsty explained that in her house they call it their ‘holiday routine’.
She said: “The kids might go to bed a bit later, they might wake up a bit later – if you’re lucky.
“Their meal times might move a little bit later.
“We tend to follow the kid’s lead, in terms of breakfast.
“Often they like to get up and play or watch a bit of TV, so breakfast is a good hour later than on a school day.
“This means lunch and dinner move an hour or so too.
“We always follow their cues for sleep – as I’ve previously talked about, but in the holidays, they will end up in bed later some of the time, depending on what they have been up to in the daytime.
“This often means they then wake up a bit later too – which is an added bonus for us!
“I do think that some kids really need a more structured routine though and I wouldn’t recommend for parents who have under 5’s, so this approach might not work for every family, but if you do fall into a more relaxed routine, enjoy it.”
However, Kirsty did defend the benefits of a schedule.
She said: “For many parents, having a routine helps them to feel less anxious about getting back into the norm after the holidays and they worry that their child won’t adapt to a different schedule – which for some children is the case, but for most, it’s not actually an issue.
“It goes back to following your child’s cues. If they’re hungry, feed them, if they are tired, put them to bed – but don’t focus on the actual time and worry that it’s not the same as term time.
“Kids do thrive on routine, so it’s not about not having anything in place at all, it’s more that it’s allowing the routine to change and being a little more relaxed about things.
“Kids need to unwind and have that time over the holidays where they don’t need to be worrying about schedules and time.
“As long as their needs are being met, it’s good to use the time to relax a little.”
As for heading back to school? The parenting expert says not to worry too much.
Kirsty added: “You can try the week before they head back to school to bring them back into term time routine, but to be honest with you – they’re going to be tired whatever when they go back to school.
“So don’t stress.“If it’s your last week and you’re on holiday and you’re enjoying yourself, just go with it.
“The kids will be OK, you will soon get them back.
“They’ll be so tired heading back to school anyway that they’ll soon fall back into routine.”
