School Holiday Survival: Simple Strategies for Less Stress and More Family Fun

Parenting and Family Wellbeing expert Dr Rosina McAlpine interviewed on ABC Radio

School holidays are meant to be fun for the kids, but for parents juggling work, household responsibilities and the rising cost of living, those weeks can quickly feel overwhelming.

So how can families make the holidays enjoyable without relying on screens from morning until night?

In this practical and relatable interview, Dr Rosina McAlpine family and wellbeing expert from Win Win Parenting shares simple strategies to help parents bring a little more calm and structure to the school holiday juggle.

Her first suggestion is refreshingly straightforward: make a plan. Grab a calendar, map out work commitments, holiday activities and available support, then identify the gaps that still need filling.

Dr Rosina also introduces the “boredom buster”, a list of screen-free activities children can turn to when the inevitable “there’s nothing to do” arrives. Think board games, books, craft, outdoor activities and other forgotten favourites already sitting around the house.

The conversation also tackles one of the biggest holiday challenges: screen time.

Rather than banning devices altogether, Dr Rosina explains how families can agree on clear boundaries, create predictable routines and even find more educational ways to use technology.

There’s also advice for involving grandparents without overloading them, managing teenagers through negotiation rather than confrontation, and giving parents permission to accept that holidays won’t always run perfectly.

And perhaps the most important reminder of all? Be kind to yourself.

Listen to the full interview for practical ideas to make your next school holiday a little less chaotic and a lot more enjoyable.