It’s coming.
Six weeks of beautiful chaos. Six weeks of uncertainty, overstimulation, and melted ice lollies on the floor. And just when everyone finally settles into a manageable routine… it’s time for the new school year to begin! The importance of routine can’t be ignored and I write here about why is it so critical.
This will be my third summer holiday as a parent, and this year I’m heading in prepared. Battle mode activated. My goal? Not to end up hiding under a blanket weeping most afternoons. (At least not every afternoon.) I’ve written about autistic overwhelm in this post.
Now, most summer survival guides would start with the kids — planning activities, crafting boredom jars, Pinterest-worthy snack trays… Not here. We’re doing it differently.
Let’s start with you.
Put Yourself First (No, Really)
If your kids are neurodivergent, there’s a solid chance that you are too — diagnosed or not. That means your needs matter just as much as theirs. If you’re running on empty, overwhelmed, and overstimulated, how are you meant to support your children through six long weeks of unstructured madness?
Ask yourself this:
What do you need to function over the summer holidays?
Not as a parent. As you.
What I Know I Need
I’ve learned a lot over the past two summers, and here’s what works for me:
- Noise and touch overwhelm me, so I schedule at least one block of solo time each day — usually while the kids are distracted with an activity or a screen.
- Screen time is my ally. Grizzy and the Lemmings on repeat buys me peace and sanity. I’m not ashamed.
- When it all gets too much, I take a bath to regulate my nervous system. Something about warm water just pulls my brain back to Earth.
- We don’t do daily outings. I need at least one rest day between any busy trips or playdates. It keeps everyone from burning out by Week Two.
- I pack a lunchbox every morning — even though we’re home — to eliminate the mental load of lunchtime decision-making.
- When I need time to cook or reset the kitchen, I hand out ice lollies and send the kids outside. Ice lollies must be eaten in the garden. That’s the law.
Your Summer Survival Will Look Different — And That’s OK
Every family has their own rhythm, tricks, and weird little habits that make things work. The important part is that your wellbeing matters just as much as theirs. You don’t have to do crafts, nature walks, or themed snack plates if you’re just trying to get through the day.
Take breaks. Hide in the loo. Lower your standards. Celebrate the wins (even if it’s just nobody crying during breakfast).
Because surviving the summer holidays as a neurodivergent parent isn’t about perfection. It’s about getting to September with your sanity vaguely intact. If you find that burnout hits, it’s important to recover, read about how I manage that here.
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