A Blog by Colleen Noll

(When school is closed for two whole weeks and the days suddenly feel very long)

Hey Parents,

The calendar has spoken. School is closed. Winter Break has officially begun. And somehow those two weeks stretch out in front of you like a very long hallway with no exit signs.

If you’re feeling a mix of excitement and mild panic, you are in excellent company.

I’ve lived through many winter breaks with our MPO6 crew. Some days were magical. Some days felt like the clock had completely stopped. Over the years I learned that surviving (and occasionally even enjoying) the break has less to do with perfect plans and more to do with lowering expectations and raising flexibility.

Here’s a simple, realistic survival guide for being home with young children for two full weeks.

1. Lower the Bar on Purpose
   You do not need to create a non-stop festival of activities. Children do not need to be entertained every minute. In fact, a little boredom is still good for them, even during the holidays. Give yourself permission to have ordinary days mixed in with the special ones.
2. Create a Loose Rhythm (Not a Rigid Schedule)
   Kids (and parents) do better with some predictable anchors:
   – Morning: breakfast + pajamas a little longer than usual
   – Mid-morning: outdoor time or a simple activity
   – Afternoon: quiet time/rest/independent play
   – Evening: early, simple dinner + calm bedtime routine
   A gentle rhythm prevents the days from dissolving into pure chaos without making you feel like a cruise director.
3. Have a “Break Basket” Ready
   Fill a box or basket with a few special-but-simple items that only come out during the break: new crayons, stickers, a couple of books from the library, playdough, a big cardboard box. Novelty helps without requiring screens or expensive outings.
4. Get Outside Every Day You Can
   Even 20 minutes of fresh air changes everyone’s mood. Walk around the block, play in the leaves or snow, or just sit on the porch with a snack. Outside time is one of the fastest resets available.
5. Protect a Little Parent Oxygen
   You still need moments to breathe. When possible, tag-team with a partner, put on an audiobook or quiet music after bedtime, or simply sit with a cup of something warm once the kids are down. You cannot pour from an empty cup for two straight weeks.
6. Embrace the Messy Middle
   Some days will be lovely. Some days will involve more screen time than you planned, more snacks than you intended, and at least one meltdown (possibly yours). That is normal. Winter break is not a performance. It is simply a stretch of time to get through together.
7. Keep a Couple Easy Wins in Your Pocket
   – A living-room picnic
   – Indoor fort building
   – Baking something simple
   – A family movie afternoon with blankets and popcorn
   – Letting the kids “help” with real jobs (folding towels, wiping the table, sorting socks)
   These small moments often become the ones children remember.

A Gentle Reminder

Two weeks at home with young children is a lot. You are not failing if the house is messier, the routine is looser, and everyone is a little more tired than usual. You are simply in the middle of a season.

The goal is not to make every day magical.

The goal is to reach the end of the break with your sense of humor mostly intact and your relationship with your children still warm.

You’ve already done the hardest part by showing up. The rest is just one day at a time.

You’ve got this.

With pajamas, deep breaths, and realistic expectations,

Colleen Noll

MSOSV Founder, MPO6 mom, and veteran of many very long winter breaks

Next up: Oh Dear, the Relatives Are Here! See you soon.