How to have a less stressful family routine during the holidays

Finding Peace in Your Family Routine This Holiday Season

Did you know that your family routine could be the very thing that either hinders or helps bring peace this holiday season? With the added expectations and activities that come with this time of year, it’s easy to either let your routine go completely—or stick to it too rigidly. Both can create more stress for the whole family.

Yes—I’ve totally been guilty of doing both over my 15 years of motherhood.

The key to finding peace this holiday season lies in discovering a sense of harmony between the two. On one hand, your current family routine may not be able to fully handle the demands of the holidays. Yet, those familiar rhythms are still a necessary part of your functional family life.

So, to create a peaceful family routine during the holidays, you need to take a step back before moving forward.

Go Back to the Basics of Your Family Routine

Print out two hourly weekly planners (you can download a template here) and write out what your current weekly family routine typically looks like on the first one.

Then, on the second template, only write down what is absolutely necessary: wake-up times, school, meals, sleep, work, etc. It should have quite a bit of white space left when you’re done. This is your baseline.

Now, compare the two. If both look similar—great! You likely have some wiggle room already built in to account for additional holiday activities. However, if your first family routine is already packed full with little to no white space, it’s time to see where you can trim off some excess.

Quote on wooden background with lights on top

Re-Define Priorities in This Season

To trim the excess from your current family routine as you prepare for the holidays, you first need to understand your priorities. In other words, define—or redefine—what’s most important to you in this season.

Pull out another sheet of paper and start making a list. On it, include all the things that are part of your family routine from the first weekly planner template. Then, write down everything you want to prioritize during the holidays.

While you’ll obviously include specific seasonal activities, also consider things like:

“An extra hour of family time per week”
“Daily family prayer time”
“Incorporate time for daily rest”

Remember, those one-off activities you want to do will require open space to plug them in. So don’t be afraid to leave white space throughout your week.

Once you have your list, start prioritizing. Cross out anything that isn’t a priority right now, then number what’s left as priority 1, 2, or 3. Once everything is ranked, begin filling in your second planner template. Use a pencil—it may take a few tries before it feels right. You may also find other activities or tasks to cut in the process.

For a more in-depth look at creating an intentional weekly family routine, check out The Intentional Day Blueprint

For more tips on creating a family routine, check out these blog posts:

Manage Your Expectations

Even the most thoughtful and intentional family routines will have things that go wrong. After all, routines exist on paper—but life happens in real time, with real people.

Kids are bound to cry. The cake might burn while you’re soaking up a special moment. You may still feel the stress of the season creeping in. It’s okay. You will be okay. Your kids will be okay.

Something I’ve been trying to get better at as I create my family routines in each season is giving them to God. You can do that too. Offer your family routine—and all your plans and desires—to Him. Then move forward in peace.

Know that, no matter how things play out, God has a plan for it all.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve often put so much pressure on myself for things to play out exactly as I imagined. When even the smallest hiccup happened, I felt completely thrown off course. I idolized my plans instead of placing them fully in God’s hands.

You have to be willing to plan—and then let go.

It’s okay if it’s not perfect. When you take the expectation of perfection off yourself, your family members, and your family routine, you’ll find so much more peace waiting for you.

For a sample stay-at-home mom schedule that keeps God at the center, download my free guide: A Mom’s Guide to a More Organized Day

a family enjoying trimming a tree and basking by a fireplace because of their good family routine

A family having fun making cookies and spending time together because they have a good family routine

Experience Peace in Your Family Routine This Holiday Season

As you prepare your family routine for the holidays, take a step back and recognize what might be creating stress. Lean into your priorities—it’s okay if they shift from year to year or even season to season.

Then, give your plans to God and trust that even if things aren’t “perfect,” they’ll unfold exactly as they’re meant to. The goal isn’t perfection on this side of heaven—it’s to live intentionally, rooted in Him who is peace.

The Intentional Day Blueprint can help you uncover your family’s unique routines and rhythms so you can live with intentional peace in every season.

For a sneak peek at what a peaceful family routine could look like, download A Mom’s Guide to a More Organized Day for free.