Keep kids on track: Why some routine still matters over the holidays

With children in the long festive holidays, experts say maintaining some level of routine remains crucial for their wellbeing.

Family and parenting coach Susan Gregor-Harlen explains that routines give children structure, predictability, and a sense of safety, which helps them develop time management and self-regulation skills.

She advises parents to allow some flexibility over the holidays while keeping "anchoring routines" such as dinner and bedtime consistent.

"To relax a little bit with a routine is also important. By letting them relax, it allows yourself to relax, because who runs the routine at home? Parents do; the caregivers do. So, when you relax a little bit with the routine, you're teaching them the difference between, okay, there is work time, and then there is relaxed time, and you get them prepared to sort of step into that mode.

"When there is routine, you are almost always in work mode. So, we need children to understand that there are times when you can relax a little bit. I'm not saying forgo the routine completely.

I'm not saying let your children not bathe for three weeks, not at all. But you'e allowing them to take a breather. It's safe to take a breather. The routine will come back.

"I always say to parents, about a week before school starts, get them back into the routine again, so that by the time school starts, it's not a fight. So, it's a gradual releasing of letting go of the routine, and then it's a gradual getting back into the routine."

To listen to Susan Gregor-Harlen in conversation with 702's Gugs Mhlungu, click the audio below: