Holiday at Home for Sanity Maintenance

School holidays are challenging at the best of times but add chocolate and extra family and they can quickly become a nightmare! My wonderful and thoughtful partner actually gave me the idea for this article, reminding me of the importance of staying home, not to finish all the household jobs, but to do nothing!
There is such a huge temptation to go, go, go when we have a few days off but sometimes the best of times are sitting around playing games, snoozing in front of a movie, reading a book or sharing a takeaway meal where the dishes go in the recycling. None of these necessitate even leaving the house. Plan a holiday at home for sanity maintenance!
Here’s a few thoughts. Instead of spending every waking moment catching up on household chores doing that extra ‘thing’ on your list try these:
Family movie…or 2! Put the phones down, no double screening allowed. Lie on the couch, fire up Netflix, if the movie sucks let yourself drift off to sleep. A bad movie is not an excuse to get up and do something.
Plan a few super simple meals like grilled meat and salad or a roast chook with oven chips and salad, homemade burgers that everyone constructs for themselves are easy too.
Freezer meals if you are a batch cook. Utilise what you have in the freezer for low fuss meals.
Break out the board or card games! Who doesn’t love UNO? Monopoly not your speed? Mine either! Find other games you can play!
Eat dinner at the table and talk. If you don’t do this regularly this can be a real treat. No phones, no pressure just talk. Maybe some music!
Dance night! Let it all hang out by just putting on your favourite tunes and dance! Too energetic? Just listen to the music.
Above all, connect. Connect with your loved ones, friends, your dogs…put the phone down, stop the busy busy mentality. Doing nothing is just as important. Enjoy your break, have a holiday at home and preserve your sanity for another day.