How do we get through the school holidays without the routine collapsing?

The short answer

Do not try to reproduce the school timetable at home. Build the holidays around a few dependable anchors: waking range, meals and medication, a daily information check, one movement or outside opportunity, connection, and a bedtime range that protects sleep. Give each day a simple shape such as home day, care day, appointment day or outing day, and show tomorrow's shape at a reliable time. Leave genuine unscheduled space, but make available options visible so the child is not required to invent the day repeatedly. Plan adult work, childcare, food, transport and siblings alongside the child's needs. Keep standard and hard-day versions, alternate high-demand events with recovery, and prepare the return to school gradually. A holiday routine is working when basic needs, access and family relationships remain sustainable, not when every day is productive or entertaining.

• Use a few stable anchors rather than an hour-by-hour school replacement.
• Give days recognisable shapes and update tomorrow at a trusted time.
• Make free-time options visible without filling all unscheduled space.
• Plan adult work, childcare, siblings and cost as parts of the system.
• Protect recovery and prepare the return to school before the final evening.