There’s a particular kind of pressure that creeps in before the school holidays.

It starts small. Someone in a WhatsApp group mentions a day out they’ve booked. Then someone else shares a timetable. Suddenly there are colour-coded plans, craft ideas, “Easter buckets”, and a vague sense that you’ve missed a memo about how to do this properly.

And if you’re parenting solo, it can feel even heavier. Because it’s not just about keeping the kids entertained – it’s about being the organiser, the energy source, the backup plan, and the person who makes it all feel “special”.

So let’s say this upfront:

You do not need an Easter activity plan.

Not a packed one. Not a Pinterest one. Not even a loosely structured one, if that’s not where you’re at.

The pressure adds up faster than the plans do

School holidays can feel like a performance review you didn’t agree to.

Are they having enough fun?
Are you making memories?
Are you doing enough?

And because there’s no one to share the load with, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you need to compensate. To make up for the fact that you’re doing it alone by doing more.

But more isn’t the answer. It’s just more.

More exhaustion.
More pressure.
More chances to feel like you’ve fallen short.

Trying to do everything is what makes it hard

The irony is that the more you try to fill every day, the harder the holidays become.

By day three you’re tired. By day five you’re running out of ideas. By the second week, everything feels like effort.

And when you’re stretched like that, even the nice things lose their shine. You’re not enjoying them. The kids aren’t really enjoying them. It becomes something to get through rather than something to be in.

A gentler way to approach the holidays

What if you didn’t try to plan everything?

What if instead you thought in much smaller terms:

• One simple thing in a day (or even every other day)
• Something low effort, local, flexible
• Plenty of space around it for nothing in particular

A park trip counts.
A walk counts.
A film afternoon counts.

You don’t need to earn your way to a “good holiday” by filling it.

The bit that actually makes things easier

If there’s one thing that reliably takes the pressure off, it’s this:

Other people.

Not in a big, overwhelming way. Not hosting or organising something elaborate. Just… not doing it all alone.

Because the moment there are other children involved:

• your kids are occupied
• the energy shifts
• you’re not the sole source of entertainment

And the moment there’s another adult:

• you can have a conversation
• you can sit down for five minutes
• you feel less like everything is on you

Start small, keep it easy

This doesn’t have to be a big plan.

It can be as simple as:
“Anyone fancy the park one afternoon this week?”

That’s it. No pressure, no structure, no expectations beyond showing up.

Because the goal isn’t to create a perfect Easter.

It’s to make the days feel a little lighter, a little easier, and a bit more shared.

And that counts for a lot.

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