Surviving Holiday Chaos: Staying Organized When Routines Fall Apart

The holidays are magical… and messy. Between travel, family gatherings, disrupted sleep schedules, and the constant “Wait, what day is it?”, even the most organized students (and parents!) can feel thrown off. Routines you’ve worked hard to build suddenly disappear, and it’s easy for stress to sneak in.

But here’s the good news: you can stay grounded — even when life gets chaotic. With a little planning and a lot of flexibility, students can enjoy the season and stay on track with their responsibilities. Here’s how.

1. Keep a “Holiday Lite” Routine

Your normal routine? Probably gone. A lite version? Totally doable.

Think of this as the “travel-size” version of your regular schedule. Pick 3 non-negotiables each day — simple, realistic anchors like:

• Make the bed

• 20 minutes of reading

• One quick tidy-up

• Check planner or calendar

These tiny habits help students feel grounded without expecting a full school-day structure.

2. Use a One-Stop Holiday Calendar

Schedules change fast during the holidays, and that’s when things slip through the cracks. Create a single shared calendar (Google Calendar works great) with:

• Travel days

• Family events

• Winter break homework

• Appointments

• Any due dates right after break

This helps students see the big picture and avoid the “Oops… that was due when?!” moment.

3. Time-Block Around the Fun

Instead of trying to squeeze responsibilities into random pockets of time, pick predictable windows for schoolwork or responsibilities. Examples:

• 20 minutes after breakfast

• Quick homework check before heading out for the day

• 30-minute focus session in the afternoon

Students are more likely to follow through when expectations feel consistent.

4. Pack an “EF Travel Kit”

For families traveling during the holidays, a small executive function toolkit can make a huge difference. Include things like:

• A mini planner or notepad

• Chargers

• Noise-canceling headphones

• Highlighters and pencils

• A folder for loose papers

• A book or independent activity

This keeps kids prepared whether they’re in an airport, grandma’s living room, or the backseat of the car.

5. Prioritize Rest (Seriously.)

Executive functioning plummets when students are overtired or overstimulated — something the holidays tend to cause daily.Encourage:

• Reasonable bedtimes

• Short rest breaks during busy days

• Time to decompress (not every minute needs to be social!)

Rest isn’t optional — it’s a strategy.

6. Set a Quick Daily Check-In

A two-minute “game plan” chat at the start of each day can work wonders. Ask:

• What do we have going on today?

• What do you need to get done?

• What’s one thing you want to do for fun?

This helps kids build planning and prioritizing skills without overwhelm.

7. Expect Imperfection (and Roll With It!)

Holiday routines are more like… suggestions. Plans will change. Kids will get tired. Suitcases will get messy. Flexibility is the most important skill students can learn this time of year.

When things fall apart, model resetting — not stressing. A simple:“Okay, that didn’t go as planned. Let’s try again tomorrow,”teaches resilience more than sticking to a perfect schedule ever could.

8. Reset Before School Starts

A couple of days before break ends, gently shift back into school mode:

• Return to normal bedtime

• Review upcoming assignments or tests

• Clean out the backpack

• Re-open the planner

• Set goals for the new year or semester

This makes the transition smoother and helps students start strong.

Final Thoughts

The holidays are full of joy — and full of disruption. But with small, consistent strategies, students can stay organized, confident, and calm throughout the chaos. At Just Start LA, we believe routines don’t need to be perfect to be powerful. The goal is simply to help kids feel steady, supported, and ready to start the new year with clarity and momentum.