07/01/2026
Holidays always look like they should be relaxing…
But if I’m honest, some days at our place feel like:
snacks flying, wet towels everywhere, someone crying because their banana “snapped wrong”… and me standing in the kitchen thinking, how is it only 9:17am? 😅
So here’s a little OT perspective on holiday regulation:
When kids are out of routine, overtired, overstimulated, hot, surrounded by people, and running on holiday adrenaline… their nervous systems can tip over quickly.
And what looks like “bad behaviour” is often dysregulation.
A few practical things that genuinely help:
✨ Heavy work every day
Before the pool, before visitors, before the long drive.
Push/pull/carry jobs help kids feel organised in their bodies (pram pushing, carrying drink bottles, wheelbarrow walks, “helping” with chores).
✨ Keep ONE anchor in the day
Not a strict schedule - just something predictable.
Weetbix at the same-ish time. Quiet time after lunch. Same bedtime routine.
✨ Make a “calm landing pad”
Not a punishment. A reset space.
Headphones, book, drink bottle, soft toy, dim room time.
✨ The 3–2–1 Reset (in the moment)
3 slow breaths together (blow bubbles/pretend candles)
2 big squeezes/bear hugs or cushion squish
1 heavy job (push the wall, carry books, crab walk to the drink bottle)
Save the carousel for the next holiday wobble 💛
