We all start the summer holidays with good intentions. The first week feels exciting. Everyone’s sleeping in a bit, enjoying breakfast without the school run rush, maybe there are holidays and trips planned. Then reality sets in. Somewhere around week three, that initial joy can tip into exhaustion. Kids are restless, parents are tired and cabin fever sets in. If your child has additional needs, the summer holidays can feel even more difficult. But remember that it’s normal, not to mention survivable.
Read on to find out what could help the next few weeks run smoother.
1. The Novelty Wears Off
The first fortnight of summer holidays has its own energy. There are new routines, more freedom, and fun plans to look forward to. But by week three, the novelty has gone. Days start blending together. Without school’s clear structure, children with SEND can become dysregulated or anxious. For ND kids (and possibly ND parents) routine can be comforting, even a flexible routine can make a big difference. When it’s gone for too long, we can start to feel a slump.
Try this: Even if your routine fell apart in week two, you can start fresh now. Make a simple rhythm for the day with visual prompts. For example:
Morning: Breakfast, get dressed, pick an activity from the “choice jar”
Midday: Movement or outdoor play
Afternoon: Quiet time, read a story or sensory play
Evening: Screen time or family game
Keep it short, easy, predictable and realistic
2. Everyone Is a Bit Fried
The mid‑summer slump isn’t just about the kids. Parents are tired too. Maybe you’ve used up your first wave of creative ideas. Maybe you’re feeling guilty about extra screen time or not being your best parenting self like you imagined!
SEND parenting is full‑on in the summer because the support network you rely on during term time like teachers, SEND staff, therapists, structured school day, isn’t there. Add heat, crowds and stretched finances and it’s a perfect storm.
Try this: Give yourself permission to reset. Remember it’s less about ‘perfect’ summer days and more about protecting your energy. Take micro‑breaks when you can and accept that some days will be just be about survival and that’s ok.
3. Sensory Overload Starts to Show
Trips to busy pools, soft play or adventure parks might have felt exciting in week one. By mid‑holiday, these outings can lead to meltdowns or shutdowns. The combination of warm weather, tiredness, lots of people and noise is difficult and overwhelming for many neurodivergent kids.
Try this: Switch gears to low‑stimulation activities for a week, for e.g.
Early morning nature walks before it gets busy
Quiet picnics in the garden
Painting with water outside
Indoor den building with fairy lights
Even short sensory breaks like ten minutes with a weighted blanket or a cool, peaceful, darkened room can help children reset.
4. Boredom and Behaviour Spikes
By mid‑summer, boredom often leads to behaviours that can sometimes be difficult. Our kids may express it through restlessness, irritability or repetitive behaviours. Chances are, our patience is thinner too.
Try this: When boredom peaks, involve your child in planning. A “choice jar” can be a game‑changer. Fill it with easy ideas you can actually manage:
Bake something simple
Build an indoor obstacle course
Hunt for bugs in the garden
Draw a map of your bedroom or garden
Make your own sensory bottle
Take a short walk around your local area
Children with SEND thrive when they feel some control and small choices can help reduce unwanted behaviours.
5. The Mid‑Holiday Guilt Spiral
There is always inevitable guilt that you’re not doing enough, not playing with them enough, that the holidays are slipping away, or that your child is missing out on experiences other kids seem to be having. Social media and the bombardment of other families’ seemingly perfect holidays doesn’t help.
Try this: Remember that rest is productive for kids. They don’t need wall‑to‑wall activities to thrive. Slow days with books, crafts or even some screen time have value. Focus on connection, not perfection.
6. Learning Loss Worries Begin
Around this time, many parents start to panic about September. Will my child forget everything they learned? Will going back to school be harder?
Try this: Turn small daily moments into learning opportunities without making it formal. Count steps on a walk. Measure ingredients in a recipe. Read a short story before bed. This keeps brains gently ticking without any pressure. Try writing a short holiday diary, include photos or scrap book and label items they’ve collected. For more hidden learning ideas, download our Summer Slide guide here.
7. Rebuilding Energy for the Second Half
If you’re in the slump right now, the good news is that the second half of the summer can be easier if you reset expectations and inject some new energy.
Try this:
Reset the routine: Visual timetables or first‑then boards bring calm.
Plan one highlight per week: A picnic, a library trip, or a visit to a SEND‑friendly venue.
Mix high and low energy days: Follow a busy outing with a calm home day.
Use rewards to boost motivation: A sticker chart or choosing the family film can work wonders.
Look after yourself: Swap childcare with a friend or ask family for a short break. Plan micro self-care like a few minutes alone outside in the garden with bare feet on the grass, a bath in the evening, five minutes with a book, a quiet cup of tea, choose a new film to watch after kids have gone to bed.
We know the holidays can be a rollercoaster of the best times, and sometimes the worst! Offering flexible routines, sensory friendly activities (more ideas here) and reminding ourselves that holidays are unique to each family and don’t have to look like anyone else’s, that slowing down is good and it’s ok to do less. Hopefully you can reclaim some fresh energy and joy in the last few weeks and remember that the school routine will be back before we know it!
Don’t forget, you’re doing a brilliant job😊