Let’s be honest, by the time the mid-term break rolls around, most parents are running on fumes. Between juggling school routines, homework, after-school activities, and everything else life throws at us, it’s no surprise we feel exhausted. And just when we think we’ll catch a break, Halloween sneaks up on us with costumes, candy, parties, and the pressure to keep the kids entertained.

Take Sarah, for example. She’s a mom of two who breathed a sigh of relief when mid-term finally arrived, thinking she could relax a bit. But by day three, her kids were restless, sugar-fueled, and the stress of Halloween prep was looming. Sound familiar? You’re not alone! In this blog, I’ll walk you through some simple, practical tips to help you and your family stay calm, manage the chaos, and actually enjoy this busy time.

5 Tips on How to Tackle Stress and Emotional Overwhelm During Mid-Term Break and Halloween

Tip 1: Take Stock

September and October are often the most busy and challenging months for parents and children. Big changes, transitions and getting back to school can mean that by the time the mid-term arrives, you and your child are exhausted! Add to this some Halloween overwhelm in the form of parties, scary things, sweets and lack of routine and things can become stressful very quickly! So, my first tip is for you to take stock of the last few months for both you and your child and do some reflecting and celebrating of the ‘wins’. Acknowledge your child's efforts and chat about their highs and lows as they adjust their pace, process the last few months and get ready for some time off. 

Tip 2: Prepare and Pre-regulate 

It's likely you are going to be doing some Trick or Treating, going to a party, meeting family and lots more. A great way to help your child regulate through this time is to prepare yourself and them for what's coming. This can help to pre-regulate their system. Try things like “We will be going from door to door and we might see scary, spooky decorations and people dressed up…what do you think that will be like? What will we do if you get a fright?”. Some children will also really benefit from preparation when it comes to trying on an outfit ahead of time and getting used to any new sensory experiences that may be ahead.

Tip 3: Manage Expectations

If your child is tired, overwhelmed, full of sugar it's likely that they will find regulation, small demands and social situations ‘too much’. This is normal and to be expected. So, it can help to have an attitude of “I will meet them where they are” or “my child is doing their best and so am I” rather than having high expectations for them to ‘be good' and then getting upset with them if they can't quite manage to meet them. Similarly, it can be helpful to manage your child's expectations of how things will go over the holiday. Chat with them in advance and help them with things like when they can eat their sweets, how late they will stay up and what activities you might do over the week.

Tip 4: Soothe the Overwhelm

If you find your child is becoming overwhelmed, notice their dysregulation and see regressions in behaviour, then try to 

1. Hold space for their feelings and help them to co-regulate with you 

2. Give language to their experiences by validating and acknowledging their emotions and experiences 

3. Bring in some routine back into your days, 

4. Take a break from the Halloween activities and sweets and have some down time.

Tip 5: Say ‘No’

Saying ‘no’ to family events, invites, parties and holding boundaries where you need to is essential. Being comfortable doing what suits you, your family and your individual child's needs is a fantastic thing to model for your children and a super way to avoid a lot of stress for everyone!

Conclusion

As the mid-term break and Halloween season approach, it's important to remember that it's perfectly okay to feel overwhelmed at times. Between school transitions, Halloween festivities, and managing everyday life, stress can easily build up for both you and your child. By taking stock, preparing in advance, managing expectations, and knowing when to say 'no,' you can create a more balanced and enjoyable experience for your family. Remember, it's not about having a perfect holiday but finding moments of connection and calm amidst the chaos.

Take a deep breath, trust yourself, and know that you’re doing your best – and that’s enough. Try out these tips and give yourself permission to step back when needed. Here's to a more relaxed, enjoyable mid-term break and Halloween!

For further guidance and resources: 

1. Join my community for ongoing support, exclusive content, and practical advice on parenting challenges.: https://www.hayley-rice.com/membership

2. The hugely popular and effective “Shame Free Discipline" webinar replay is now in the membership and also available to purchase as an unlimited access replay https://hayley-rice.circle.so/checkout/shame-free-discipline