The 42% Rule That Prevents Parent Burnout In Summer

As any parent will tell you, the summer holidays are quite the endurance test. Yes, there are beautiful memories to be made and far more quality time than there is throughout the year but there is also the seemingly neverending list of things to do.

While we’re juggling the load of keeping the house in some sort of orderly shape, keeping the kids fed, keeping some semblance of a routine… Where are we supposed to find the time for creating summer holiday magic?

Well, according to the experts at Kendamil, there is actually a perfect formula for staying on top of it all without falling into parental burnout.

Dylan McMahon, co-founder at Kendamil explains: “The ‘42% rule’ is where you look to spend almost half of your time in the day on rest or slower-paced activities.

“For example, this may include allocating time for more relaxing activities with the kids, such as reading books or doing puzzles, or setting time aside to disconnect from screens. This can help to regulate your nervous system, keeping you calmer and contributing to a more rational frame of mind.”

The children’s education experts at Twinkl also recommend colouring for children, saying: “Colouring is a fun and relaxing activity that will have your kids encapsulated. It is a great way to help reduce stress and anxiety as it calms the mind and helps children to let go of any negative thoughts and emotions.

“Colouring encourages creativity and imagination, as kids independently select different colours and create colour combinations when colouring an illustration. It is also a fantastic way for kids to develop their fine motor skills. This is done through improved pencil grip and manipulating colouring materials such as crayons or pencil crayons.”

McMahon adds that sharing the load can be very beneficial, too: “Getting support from family, friends, partners or local services will help to reduce the mental and physical load. Sharing parenting responsibilities can lower stress levels for both parents, whereas spending time at community playgroups allows you to connect with other parents, helping you to feel more supported knowing you’re not alone in how you’re feeling.”

However, if the stress of the holidays is getting on top of you, reach out to Action for Children’s free Parent Talk service for support.