Going Away Doesn’t Fix Everything: How to Handle Big Emotions on Holiday
You have booked the trip, packed the bags and finally made it to your destination. There is sand beneath your feet, ice cream in hand and the sound of waves in the background. This is it - holiday mode activated.
So why are the kids still arguing over who gets the blue bucket? Why are you feeling more frazzled than free? And why is bedtime still a battle even though they have been running around all day?
The truth is going away does not magically make everything easier.
Holidays can be a huge emotional shift for children and for us too. New surroundings, disrupted routines, unfamiliar food, different beds and way more stimulation can stir up some big feelings. As parents we often go away with the hope that we will finally get the rest we need only to find ourselves still running on empty with a different view out the window.
Here is the thing. Holidays are still real life. They come with joy and connection but also tiredness, meltdowns, overstimulation, sibling squabbles and overtired grown ups just trying to enjoy a cup of tea before it goes cold.
So how can we make holidays feel more emotionally manageable?
1. Keep Some Predictability
Try to carry over a few familiar routines even if it is just a bedtime story, quiet time after lunch or a morning walk. Predictability helps children feel safe and secure even in new environments.
2. Build in Downtime
It is tempting to pack in activities especially if you have spent money and want to make the most of it. But constant stimulation can overwhelm sensitive nervous systems. Do not underestimate the power of a slow morning or some quiet play in the shade.
3. Expect the Wobbles
Tantrums, tears and testing boundaries are not signs your holiday is failing. They are signs your child is adjusting. Validate their feelings, take a breath or five and remember you are not alone.
4. Do Not Forget Yourself
You deserve rest too. Tag team where you can. Lower your expectations. You are not the cruise director. A happy memory does not need a jam packed itinerary. It can be as simple as a laugh on a balcony or a shared slice of cake in a café.
5. Bring Comfort Items
A familiar teddy, pillow or bedtime book can make a huge difference. It gives children something to anchor to when everything else feels new.
Remember the goal of a holiday is not perfection. It is connection. And that can still happen through the chaos.
If you come back needing a holiday from the holiday you are not doing it wrong. You are human.
At the Wellbeing Hub in Larkhill and across Wiltshire I support children and families with the emotional ups and downs that come with transitions - holidays included. Whether it is helping children process change through Sandplay or giving them a space to express feelings through Drawing and Talking support is here for when the big feelings come home with you.
You do not need to wait until term starts again to find your feet.
You have got this
Even if the suitcase is still half unpacked.
Katie
Embracing Emotions, Enhancing Lives