How to Create Flexible Routines That Keep Peace During School Holidays 

Parenting Perspective 

Children Crave Stability, Even in the Holidays 

School holidays often bring joy, but they also remove the natural structure that keeps children steady. Without school hours, clear tasks, and a set rhythm, children can feel restless, which often spills into bickering. What you are experiencing is not unusual; it is a sign that children crave stability even when they resist it. 

Create a Lighter Version of Routine 

The key is to create a lighter version of routine, one that gives your children a sense of predictability while allowing for the freedom and rest that holidays should bring. Start by keeping a few consistent anchors, such as mealtimes, Salah, and bedtime. These markers help children know what to expect in the day. Around these, you can add flexible blocks of time such as “outdoor play,” “quiet time,” or “family activity.” The exact activity within that block can change, which gives the children a sense of variety while still keeping the flow. 

Involve Them in Shaping the Routine 

To reduce conflict, involve your children in shaping parts of the holiday routine. For example, you might let them take turns choosing a family activity or deciding what to cook for lunch. Giving them some voice makes them feel respected and reduces the power struggles that often fuel sibling fights. 

Address the Root Causes of Fighting 

Also, remember that children often fight more when they are tired, bored, or competing for attention. By ensuring each child gets some one-to-one connection with you and providing outlets for their energy, you can reduce friction. It does not have to be long; even ten minutes of focused time with each child can make a difference. 

A Balance of Structure and Freedom 

Your aim is not to run the holidays like school, but to create a rhythm that brings both peace and joy. A balance of structure and freedom helps children feel secure while still enjoying the break. 

Spiritual Insight 

The Path of Moderation 

Islam teaches us that balance is part of wisdom, and that families flourish when there is fairness and structure tempered with kindness.  

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Furqaan (25), Verse 67: 

‘And it is those people that do not spend extravagantly, nor miserly; and (act in such a way) that is a balanced format between these two (extreme characteristics).’  

This Verse, although about spending, reflects a broader principle: the path of moderation is the path most pleasing to Allah. Applied here, it reminds us that too much rigidity or too much freedom can both create harm, while a balanced middle way nurtures stability. 

Make Things Easy, Do Not Make Them Difficult 

It is recorded in Sahih Al Bukhari, Book 78, Hadith 152, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Make things easy and do not make them difficult, give glad tidings and do not make people run away.’  

This Hadith shows us that ease and encouragement should be central in our approach. In parenting, it means creating routines that bring calm and joy rather than unnecessary restriction. 

By combining steady anchors with gentle flexibility, and by presenting the holiday rhythm as a source of ease, you show your children that Islam encourages balance in every part of life. In time, this helps them learn that peace at home comes not from strict rules or total freedom, but from fairness, connection, and shared trust in Allah.