Taking Care of You and Your Kids’ Mental Health During Winter Break

Winter break: the season of hot cocoa, cozy blankets, and a little holiday magic. Sounds dreamy, right? But let’s be real—it can also be a whirlwind of emotions, schedules turned upside down, and a whole lot of juggling. While your kids might be thrilled to have time off from school, that disruption to routines can bring its own set of challenges—for them and for you.

The good news? With a little intention and a lot of self-compassion, you can make this winter break a time of connection, joy, and yes, even some peace for everyone in your family. 

Why Winter Break Can Be a Lot

Winter break might seem like a breath of fresh air at first—until you realize just how much has changed overnight. The days feel both endless and packed, emotions run high, and the balance between “family fun” and “parental meltdown” can get a little wobbly.

Here’s why this time of year can stir up so many feelings:

1. Routines Go Out the Window

School and daycare offer a rhythm to your family’s day-to-day life. When that rhythm disappears, everyone can feel a little off-kilter. Kids thrive on structure, even if they don’t always admit it, and without it, life can get challenging.

2. The Pressure of the Holiday Season

You want to create magical memories for your kids—memories they’ll cherish forever. However, the bar social media and society sets is sky-high. It’s easy to feel like you’re falling short when the gingerbread house collapses or your “perfect” family outing ends in tears.

3. Kids Miss Their Friends

Even the most family-oriented kids might feel a pang of loneliness when they’re not seeing their friends regularly. For teens, this can feel especially isolating if they’re used to spending tons of time with their peers.

4. You’re Still Responsible for All Your Usual Tasks

Between keeping up with work, managing household responsibilities, and entertaining your kids, your to-do list can feel never-ending. Add in holiday shopping or hosting duties, and you’re carrying a heavy load.

These challenges are real, but they don’t have to steal your joy. With a few small changes, you can turn this season into one that feels meaningful and manageable.

7 Ways to Support Your Kids (and Keep Your Sanity)

Winter break isn’t about doing all the things—it’s about doing what works best for your family. These simple strategies can easily be applied and help everyone feel a little more grounded.

1. Stick to (Loose) Routines

Kids benefit from routines—whether they know it or not. A little predictability goes a long way in helping them feel secure and balanced.

• Keep it simple: Try to maintain consistent wake-up times, meals, and bedtimes. It doesn’t have to be strict, but having a general flow to your day helps everyone stay on track.
• Mix structure and freedom: Think of your day in chunks. Maybe mornings are for quiet play or crafts, afternoons for outdoor fun, and evenings for winding down.

This doesn’t mean every moment needs to be planned. Flexibility is key, but a loose routine can keep the chaos at bay.

2. Let Big Emotions Be Okay

Winter break is fun, but it can also stir up a lot of feelings for kids and adults. Missing friends, feeling overstimulated, or just being thrown off by a change in routine can be overwhelming.

• Ask, don’t assume: Questions like, “What’s been the best part of your day?” or “What’s feeling tough right now?” open the door for conversation.
• Validate their feelings: It’s okay for your child to feel sad or frustrated. Saying something like, “I understand why you’re upset. It makes sense to feel this way,” helps them feel seen and supported.

Sometimes, a good cry or a big hug is all they need.

3. Balance Screen Time with Real-Life Fun

Screens can be a lifesaver when you need a break. But too much can leave kids feeling restless and disconnected.

• Set limits together: Involve your kids, if they are old enough, in deciding how much screen time feels right. This makes them more likely to stick to the plan.
• Offer alternatives: Whether it’s baking cookies, building blanket forts, or playing board games, give them plenty of options for offline fun.

And don’t feel guilty about using screen time when you need it. Sometimes, you just need those 30 minutes to sip your coffee while it’s still warm.

4. Get Everyone Moving

There’s nothing like a little movement to shake off the winter blues (and burn off some of that endless kid energy).

• Make it fun: Try a family dance party, a snowball fight, or a nature walk. You don’t have to overthink it—anything that gets you up and moving counts.
• Let them lead: If your kids want to build a snowman or race around the backyard, go with it. Their creativity will shine, and you get to enjoy the fun, too.

Movement isn’t just good for their bodies—it’s a mood booster for everyone.

5. Keep Connections Alive

It is still important for kids to socialize, even during winter break.

• Plan playdates: For younger kids, a simple playdate can go a long way in breaking up the monotony.
• Encourage virtual hangouts: For older kids and teens, FaceTime, video games, or group chats can help them stay connected with friends.

Maintaining friendships during the break helps kids feel more grounded—and gives you a little breathing room, too.

6. Practice Gratitude Together

Gratitude is like a warm blanket for the soul. It shifts focus from what’s stressful to what’s good.

• Start a gratitude tradition: Each night, have everyone share one thing they’re thankful for.
• Make it visual: Create a gratitude jar where family members can drop in notes about happy moments or things they appreciate.

Focusing on gratitude doesn’t erase the hard stuff, but it helps you all notice the beauty in the small moments.

7. Make Space for Creativity

Kids process their emotions through play and creativity, so give them the tools to express themselves.

• Set up a creative corner: Stock it with art supplies, LEGO bricks, or even some old cardboard boxes for imaginative play.
• Join them: Painting, building, or storytelling together can be a wonderful way to bond.

Creativity doesn’t need a purpose—it’s all about exploration and fun.

Don’t Forget About You

You’re the backbone of your family, which means taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary.

1. Show Them Your Coping Tools

When you practice self-care, you’re teaching your kids how to handle stress in healthy ways.

• Try a short breathing exercise or mindfulness moment when things feel overwhelming. Even naming what you’re feeling—“I’m feeling frustrated, and that’s okay”—can be a powerful example for your kids.

2. Let Go of Perfection

Your kids won’t remember if the cookies burned or if the tree leaned a little too far to the left. They’ll remember the laughter, the love, and the time you spent together.

• Give yourself grace: Things don’t need to be perfect to be meaningful.

3. Make Time for You

Even five minutes of downtime can recharge your batteries.

• Communicate your needs: Let your kids know, “I need 10 minutes to relax. After that, we can play together.”
• Ask for help: If you have a partner, family member, or friend available, don’t hesitate to lean on them.

Wrapping Up Winter Break

As the break winds down, take a moment to reflect. What were the highlights? What worked well? What could you adjust next time?

And if the holidays still feel overwhelming or you need extra support, therapy is a great resource. It’s a space where you can explore challenges, build tools, and get tailored strategies to thrive.

As the lovely and wise Michelle Obama has said, “to be a good parent, you need to take care of yourself so that you can have the physical and emotional energy to take care of your family.” Remember self-care is not selfish but instead a way to show up as the best version of yourself for you and your loved ones. You cannot pour from an empty cup. 

And you don’t have to navigate this alone. Click here  for a free 15-minute chat with one of our providers. Together, we can make this season (and beyond) more manageable.