Winter Break Parenting Tips

From a Child Psychologist

Winter break can be a great time! No early school mornings, cozy pajamas, holiday traditions, and extra family time. However, it can also feel long and overwhelming for both parents and children. Changes in routine, decreased structure, increased screen time, travel, family gatherings, and big emotions can all make behavior feel harder to manage.

If you are finding yourself dreading or feeling nervous about winter break and the holidays check out the tips below. These strategies are practical and realistic to help your family enjoy the winter holidays while supporting regulation, connection, and emotional well-being.

1. Keep Some Structure

Children thrive on predictability and routine. While it’s okay, and even healthy, to relax routines, having anchor points in the day can reduce meltdowns and power struggles. Helpful anchors include a consistent wake-up and bedtime (within reason, usually I recommend within an hour of typical bed and wake-up time), regular meal and snack times, and one planned activity each morning or afternoon.

You might say: “After breakfast, we’ll do one activity, then free time.”

This gives kids a sense of what’s coming without over-scheduling.

2. Pick your battles

Winter break is not the time to work on every behavior goal. Travel, guests, excitement, and overstimulation mean kids may be more emotional, have less patience, and need more support. I know I just said to keep the routine going, which does mean continue to have a good balance between reinforcement and consequences, but you also don’t want winter break to turn into a constant power struggle.

Ask yourself: Is this a safety issue, or just inconvenient?

Is this a consequence I’m willing to see through (to the bitter end)

Letting small things go like whining and complaining can preserve your energy for what matters most: connection and calm.

3. Prioritize Connection Before Correction

When kids feel disconnected, behavior often escalates. Aim for short, intentional moments of connection each day. During busy or stressful days, connection is often the most important thing, even when it feels hardest to give.

Some ideas include:

10 minutes of child-led play (your child chooses what to play, and you follow their rules)
Baking or cooking together
A family walk
Putting together a puzzle or playing a game together
Reading together before bed

You’re doing better than you think—and your child doesn’t need perfection, just presence

4. Prepare Kids for Family Gatherings and Transitions

Holidays often include loud environments, unfamiliar routines, and lots of social demands. If making small talk with that family member you see once a year is tough for you, imagine the difficulty the kids have. Before events, try:

Explaining what to expect (who will be there, how long, what will happen)
Reviewing behavior expectations in simple terms. I’m a fan of reviewing just 2-3 clear rules before social functions. For example, “keep hands and feet to yourself” and “use kind words”.
Identifying a quiet break option if needed and how to signal each other if it needs to be used.

For example: “We’ll eat dinner, open gifts, and if you feel overwhelmed, you can sit in the bedroom with your headphones.” Preparation often reduces anxiety and behavior challenges.

5. Build in Regulation Breaks

Kids (and really, everyone) need ways to reset their nervous systems. When children become dysregulated, it’s often a sign they need support.

Suggestions for regulation include:

Movement breaks (jumping, stretching, outdoor play)
Sensory activities (Play-Doh, coloring, fidgets)
Calm-down spaces with books, stuffies, or other soft items

6. Be Mindful of Screen Time

Screen use often increases during breaks, and that’s okay. Problems usually arise when screens get in the way of sleep, connection, or activities. Kids also struggle when screen time ends abruptly.

To help:

Set clear expectations ahead of time
Use timers or warnings before transitions
Pair screen limits with something positive afterward

Instead of: “Turn it off now!”

Try: “Five more minutes, then we’re building Legos together.”

**7. Take Care of Yourself, Too**

Parents are carrying a lot: work demands, family expectations, financial stress, and mental load. Give yourself permission to say no to plans, ask for help, and take breaks.

A regulated parent is one of the strongest protective factors for a child. One of my favorite metaphors for parenting is the airplane oxygen mask: if oxygen levels drop, parents need to put on their own mask first before helping their child. This really is true—taking care of yourself helps you be more patient, present, and connected with your children.

Final Thoughts

Winter break doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Small moments of calm, laughter, and connection matter far more than traditions done “right.” If behavior feels harder than expected, it may be a sign your child needs more support.

If you’re finding that stress, meltdowns, or power struggles are taking over your family time, working with a child psychologist, therapist, or other mental health professional can help you build tools that last well beyond the holiday season. I hope these tips help make winter break more enjoyable and calm for you and your family. If you would like more help or guidance feel free to call me at (216) 245-2421 for a free 15-minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is going on and if I’m not the best fit I’m happy to point you in the right direction!

Helping Kids (and Parents) Stay Regulated Over Winter Break