Feeling a post-holiday letdown? Same. Here's how we're getting through it this year.
Discover how to transform your post-holiday blues into a seamless return to routine with us on "How to Be a Grown-Up."
We’re back and sharing our own struggles and tips to help ease that jarring shift from holiday bliss to work and school life. From restocking school supplies to managing after-school meltdowns, we unpack strategies to ensure your family’s transition is smooth, practical, and full of fun. We guarantee you’ll come away with actionable advice and plenty of laughs to jumpstart your new year!
Episode Takeaways
This episode is a blend of practical tips, family fun, and heartfelt stories designed to ease the transition from holiday bliss to routine. By incorporating humor and kindness, we aim to inspire you to embrace the new year with positivity and joy. Whether you're looking for strategies to manage post-holiday routines or seeking creative ideas for family fun, this episode is here to help.
Listen Here
Feeling that post-holiday letdown? Struggling to get back to—well, anything? This episode is for you! Jenny details 5 things she’s doing to combat the blues that follow the winter holidays. Listen to all her practical tips!
Beat the Post-holiday Blues: Return to Routine
As the festive cheer fades and the hustle of daily life resumes, the transition from holiday bliss to routine can be challenging. In this episode, we delve into transforming post-holiday blues into a seamless return to everyday life. We detailed strategies to ease the jarring shift from holiday relaxation to work and school responsibilities, ensuring that the transition is smooth, practical, and filled with fun. And, we shared personal stories, tips, and heartfelt moments to jumpstart your new year with laughter and kindness.
Get ready for routines to start again
Kids and school
You might need to restock consumable supplies like pencils, pens, paper, and notebooks. FYI: It’s normal for kids to run through a year’s worth of stuff in one semester! Think about other items, too. Did they lose their water bottle or lunchbox? Now's the time to look for those (and wash anything you didn't take out of the backback) and get new ones, as needed.
Supplies also include school clothing, especially uniforms. Check to see if the kids need new sizes. Can they put their hands in their gloves? How's the sleeve-length on that winter coat?
While we all know to transition back to normal bedtime before school starts back up, that’s not enough. Remember the after-school restraint collapse from episode 121? Expect that restraint collapse to happen again, and build in extra time for your kids to transition back into routine.
If you can, hold off on after-school activities for that first week back.
Create space for kids to decompress in the afternoon: stop at the park on the way home, play a quick board game before homework, or take a walk together while you talk about anything but school.
Teachers also want to reset after a break. Family grownups will likely have homework that first week back. Be sure to read the emails, look over the syllabi, and fill out the forms, etc.
Grownups and grownup-ing
The Sunday Scaries are worse before going back to your regular life after time off. What do you need to feel ready for the week? Meal planning and groceries? Laundry? a pile of fresh pillows to scream into? Don't forget to take care of yourself, too.
Look for ways to build anticipation
For me, the holiday letdown begins as soon as Christmas morning is over and my living room is covered in wrapping paper and boxes and my child is asking for me to build 4 things and add batteries to 7 other toys immediately. (Overwhelm, anyone?)
That letdown starts then because the anticipation is over. Jenny's solution? Look for ways to build anticipation in the everyday.
You probably already have a visible family calendar. Mark some upcoming 'special' events on that family calendar (use icons for kids who aren’t readers yet). Add a trip to library, visits from family or friends, and even something silly like “drive-thru dinner.” Let your family see what magic is coming so they don’t feel like the rug’s been pulled out from under them.
Another way to do this is to make something routine into an event!
Going to watch a playoff game on TV? Gear up and wear team clothing! Decorate the living room! Make special snacks!
Making a meal plan for the week? Let everyone put their ideas in a hat, draw out ten and decide from those what goes on the menu. (Jenny says draw ten because "I know my kids and a 16-hour smoked brisket would probably be at least one of their suggestions..." 🤣)
Hanging out at the school bus stop? Bring chalk and play tic-tac-toe on the sidewalk while you wait.
Running errands on a Saturday afternoon? Bring a scavenger hunt list with you. Jenny googled these:
Acknowledge the need for connection
As Jenny pointed out: Winter vacation isn’t summer break! There’s not much time for boredom or “go play outside until I say you can come back in.” This was a 14-day intensive filled with lots of attention, lots of activities, lots of special time with family. Shifting back into the normal schedule is going to be hard (even for older kids). Your kids might understand that there’s less time for special attention and family bonding, but knowing isn’t enough to deal with the feelings of isolation or unmet needs.
And you, dear reader, may also want more attention, family time, holiday spirit/magic… or holiday foods (go find AustiNuts Christmas Tree Pretzels, and when you find them, send a package to CK). It’s okay for you to feel a little sad or disappointed, too. And we encourage you to share your feelings with your family (using age-appropriate techniques, of course). For example, you might say, "I liked all the extra time we had together over the holidays. I’m glad to be back in our normal routine, but I need a family date. What ideas do you have for us to reconnect a bit?"
Jenny listed a ton of ideas for connecting with family. Here are just a few of them:
Tasting parties (the best brand of hot chocolate, favorite flavors of Mountain Dew, the best pasta shape is... etc.)
Scarf, Share, or Skip (think F---, Marry, Kill but for recipes and foods you'd see on cooking shows)
10-Minute costume contests
Timed read-alouds
Leave encouraging notes around the house for family members
The most important thing to remember? Don’t expect too much from yourself. It's completely normal to feel blue after the holidays are over, even if you were the one doing all of the work to make the holidays magical for your household. Use the tips here to bring yourself back to your normal. If you find yourself unable to shake the sadness, reach out to a trusted resource for more support.
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Make good choices,
Caitlin & Jenny
Sources for this episode
Thanks to CK's friend Joey for the hilarious New Year's resolution (listen to the episode to hear it!)
Sending a special thank you to Karen, CK's mother-in-law, for restoring her cherished baby blanket with this beautiful labor of love.
Who We Are
Caitlin and Jenny are moms and besties in Austin, Texas. Jenny is a middle school assistant principal and Caitlin is a former middle school teacher turned EdTech marketer. Learn more about them, here.
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