Space Out, Chatter Up: Parent Power Moves for the Holidays

Written by, Kalpita

23rd Jun 2025

With the school holidays coming in, excitement soon begins to get accompanied by this feeling of being overwhelmed. As parents of young children, our days lengthen, routines shift; until demand after demand exhausts our hours and energy. Amid all this fun and chaos, TWO SANITY SAVERS stand out: as they have the power to transform anything or everything an already tired parent is feeling.

Why Every Parent Should Embrace Positive Self-Talk

How we self-talk matters. Whether you are dealing with workload or stress, the way you speak to yourself not only influences your psychological wellness, but also your parenting. When we self-talk positively, we build confidence, have less stress, and model resiliency for our young children. Try to catch yourself saying "This is too much for me!", and re-train your self-talking brain to say, "This is a hard day, but I am doing my best". Children are great observers and listeners at such times, so when they hear their parent self talking about themselves positively, they seamlessly incorporate it into their internal dialogue.

In this way, positive self-talk develops a growth mindset within us at the same time as we develop growth and resilience through positive self-talk for them. Once you have the awareness that all of you are making mistakes or you could do something differently, you must start to reframe the self-talk back to growth or learning: "I'm going to learn from this and try again." This is the resiliency and flexibility that both parents and children develop; especially during an otherwise chaotic holiday period, will become a particularly vital life skill to survive and thrive in the real world.

How the Power of Alone Zones Works — for You and Your Kids

School vacations provide opportunities for everyone to be together, but everyone also needs pockets of alone time to recharge their batteries. Setting up "alone zones," is not about hoping to escape from your family, it is about modeling self-care and healthy boundaries.

As a Parent:

If you have been with your children all day, it may be worthwhile to take even two-minute break for yourself; whether that is at lunchtime, having a long shower or even just to wake up early. The two-minute break will help you reset and have more energy; also, you may find you are able to deal with the rest of your day with more tranquility. Don't feel guilty for needing time alone; needing separation is necessary for the sake of our mental health and the ability to give ourselves to our families.

For your Children:

Teach your children the importance of enjoying their own company. Set up a comfy corner that might include books, drawing or craft supplies, or puzzles, the point is to set them up to be able to play independently. While it benefits you to have a small break, it also allows your child to practice being creative alone, practice building their confidence, and working on their emotional resilience.

Your Go-To Holiday Survival Tips

• Be Your Kids' Role Model for Self-Talk:

Your children are listening! Show your children how to creatively reframe the disappointing or difficult aspects of situations and how effort is more important than perfection.

• Every Day Find a Moment for Downtime:

Find a moment every day where everyone in your home can be engaged in calm, quiet, alone time. Each choose reading, drawing, colouring, or just resting.

• Make some Spaces/Places for Alone Time:

Make some spaces/areas in your own home for alone time for you and your children that have calming items like weighted blankets or pillows, or creative items like art supplies.

• Engage in a Self-Care Moment:

You should engage in a moment or two of self-care in your alone time - reading, walking, listening to music, working out or even just some breathing practice.

• Give Opportunities for Independence:

Give your children opportunities for independence to support their independence, esteem, and sense of agency; let them be directed in their own time; letting them have the capacity and space to choose their participation in the activities they choose.

Tidbits to Take-Away

As the holidays – and perhaps chaos – loom, remember that caring for yourself is not selfish, it is necessary! The alone zones and positive self-talk you give to yourself are gifts to you, but also to your entire family. By showing this you’re also teaching your kids the value of self-love, resiliency and independence - life skills that they’re going to need forever.