For many parents, the long holiday season can be a double-edged sword – an opportunity to bond with their children but also a challenge in keeping them engaged, disciplined and away from screens.
From structured routines to learning new skills, parents are rewriting the rulebook on holiday management. They're transforming what could easily become months of idleness into seasons of discovery, growth and connection.
Rachael Omollo at Nation Centre in Nairobi on November 14, 2024.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
Meet Rachael Omollo, a mother of three (aged 24, 19 and 13). With her two older children having left the nest, she now focuses on her youngest. Her daughter follows a consistent routine until the first week of December, structured around online classes.
"She wakes up around 6.30 in the morning, after her devotion. She tidies and prepares herself before having breakfast. From 8.30 to 13.00, she is in class with breaks in between. She cooks or the nanny helps, eats lunch and does the dishes. At 16.00, there is a cleanup of the whole house, and in the evening, she rides her bike or plays basketball, or listens to music."
On Saturday, Rachael and her family do a thorough cleaning and enjoy leisure activities, while on Sunday, they go to church, have a family lunch then pursue activities like ice skating. In Rachael's home, having a specific routine helps the children feel more secure and maintain a sense of purpose.
"Yes, I encourage her creativity," Rachael says. "Of late she likes baking, so I get different ingredients and she makes nice pastries for us. I guide and help her through the recipes."
While the holiday season often means free screen time, Rachael ensures her daughter watches TV or uses her phone only after completing everything on her to-do list.
"I see her watching recipes, playing games like Sudoku... but I have parental controls over certain apps."
Rachael also encourages her daughter to spend time with relatives to strengthen family bonds. However, this is always under adult supervision.
Being with children during a long holiday is no mean feat. Rachael says one of her challenges is ensuring her daughter isn't bored and maintains healthy eating habits.
"Because of being in a boarding school, she had a routine, so I have to ensure she is occupied. Also, like many boarding school students, she has an affinity for junk food, but we have a rule of having such foods only once per week."
To Rachael, intentionality is key to balancing work and her children's demands. She has had to cancel evening engagements and keep Sundays free to be at home with her daughter.
For managing this holiday, Rachael advises, "Flexibility is very key. You have to learn to be very flexible to understand your child. Give them some space, have a schedule, spend quality time with them and try to get feedback on what they did every day."
Sufficient Rest in the Mix
Anderson Ambindi a father of three says he mentors and takes his children through various topics like dealing with trauma, excelling academically, and understanding emotional wellness.
Photo credit: Pool
In Anderson Ambindi's home, a typical day varies depending on his children's ages (18, 15 and 11), but studying remains a constant.
"The oldest wakes up at 6.00 or even earlier while the youngest wakes up at 7.00. After breakfast, they help clean, but around 9.30-10.00 they retreat for personal time. My youngest watches cartoons, the second-born engages in trading and the oldest is in school doing exams. By about midday, they all work together with the house manager to prepare lunch. Most afternoons, we have different academic coaches. At 16.00, they are free to do what they want," he tells Lifestyle.
Since rest is essential during holidays, Anderson agreed with his children that during the first week there would be no books, and Sundays would remain free. "We either watch movies, go out, swim, or visit family or friends."
As a mentor and author, Anderson takes his children through various topics such as dealing with trauma, excelling academically and understanding emotional and wellness needs. "They share how they are improving and developing their skills beyond academics," he explains.
While being at home for a long holiday provides opportunities for learning new skills, Anderson watches, advises and helps guide them through these new adventures. "We encourage their creativity by giving them space to experiment. My daughter likes baking, so we've enrolled her in a baking club where she makes us yummy pastries. For my son, we've opened an account for his trading proceeds."
Regarding screen time management, Anderson says, "They know their viewing times, and sometimes we take away the remote. We occasionally switch off the television and devices to have uninterrupted family time. Children will try to bend the rules, but over time we've discovered their tricks and know how to manage them."
To maintain family connections, Anderson allows his children to stay with their grandparents and attend cultural festivities to learn more about their heritage.
His advice to parents: "Let's have more communication, be present and active in our children's lives."
Flexible Rather Than Routine
Jackline Walumbe a mother of two says she discusses with her daughters what their day's schedule is like.
Photo credit: Pool
Unlike Anderson and Rachael, Jackline Walumbe, a mother of two daughters (aged 16 and 12), maintains a flexible rather than routine-driven schedule as she works from home.
Her daughters usually start the morning by making breakfast and handling their hygiene routines. "Once everyone is ready, we come together to discuss the day's schedule. Sometimes, we plan ahead if it involves travelling to different locations or attending family engagements. This approach allows us to adapt to each day's needs while ensuring everyone is actively involved."
While holiday time includes assignments, Jackline strives to balance schoolwork with exploring personal interests.
"My younger daughter enjoys writing stories, crocheting and science, whereas my older one is drawn to fashion, design and modelling. I encourage them to pursue these passions and incorporate learning experiences aligned with their interests," she tells Lifestyle.
Regarding specific holiday goals, she says, "My eldest has been struggling in a few subjects, so instead of hiring a tutor, I've researched online learning solutions to support her improvement and integrated them into her holiday homework calendar. She and her sister dream of starting a fashion and design business someday, and they've even used AI tools to create a preliminary business proposal. It's been exciting to watch them work towards this goal, blending academic learning with entrepreneurial skills and creativity."
Since Jackline's daughters are interested in modelling, they engage in physical activities like jogging and toning exercises at least twice weekly. "Sometimes we do evening walks of at least eight kilometres and swim every Friday afternoon."
This holiday, her daughters have taken up making mats, scarves and pen bags for school children as new hobbies.
Jackline not only provides necessary materials but allocates time for them to watch online programmes related to their designs and trends, and share their completed works with friends for feedback and market insights.
"We manage a small family kitchen garden together. We focus on watering, planting and harvesting rather than tilling, to emphasise that farming can be rewarding without traditional hard labour. This approach shows them the importance of self-reliance and helps them understand that contributing to the family's nutritional needs can be practical, even without intense physical effort."
For household chores, Jackline encourages culinary exploration. "One of my daughters insisted on trying a French menu because she dreams of living in Paris, but it didn't turn out as expected. As part of the learning experience, we are saving money to visit a French restaurant, where we can enjoy professionally prepared French dishes before attempting to recreate them ourselves. This motivates them to keep learning and improving their culinary skills while contributing to family life."
Balancing work with having her daughters at home can be challenging, especially when her schedule changes. "To accommodate this, I structure my workday to finish by noon, leaving afternoons open for virtual meetings and flexible time with my daughters."
For parents seeking resources, Jackline recommends, "Some of the programmes I use are Zeraki and Dschool programme for primary school learning."
Emily Ndeke, a counselling psychologist at Equipped Mental Wellness, offers mentorship to teenagers (aged 12-18) to develop their economic, social and psychological awareness.
"As the saying goes, 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop,'" Ms Ndeke explains. Many parents enrol their children in her mentorship classes to prevent them from straying during free time.
"Those who enrolled last year have returned this year enquiring about available programmes for their children," she says.
Her services aren't limited to long holidays. "In April, we had sessions especially due to the prolonged holiday caused by floods. Parents wanted to keep their children engaged during that time. August was less busy because the holiday was rather short."
Ms Ndeke has seen increased enrolment as parents recognise the importance of non-academic activities. "Last year, we worked with 26 mentees; today, we have 39."
She takes pride in teaching teenagers about boundaries. "They learn when to bargain, say yes and no, and how much to compromise. They understand that setting boundaries isn't dangerous but protective," she says.
While previously offering free services, this year Ms Ndeke charges Sh5,000 per week for three sessions. "This covers expert speakers, for example in financial wellness, and materials. Every lesson is age-appropriate and runs for six weeks of the holiday."
Ms Ndeke emphasises the importance of children learning soft skills like money management, timekeeping and self-awareness. "Many parents unconsciously pass their money anxieties to their children. Sometimes we maintain a scarcity mentality and don't expose them to money. The skill isn't about them working but rather about saving pocket money and buying only necessities."
Similarly, Lynn Boke, a trained chef at Lynn's Kitchen, teaches cooking to children aged eight and above. "I teach various cuisines, both African and international, though more of the latter because my audience is Kenyan. Children prefer fancy meals like burgers and sandwiches, which aren't typically African cuisine," she explains.
Ms Boke charges Sh6,000 for three classes, with discounts for additional sessions. "We can cover up to six recipes in a day, which costs Sh10,000. Monthly courses teaching 20 recipes cost Sh30,000, with classes scheduled according to availability. These prices exclude ingredients."
She recalls a surprising moment when her nine-year-old sister caught a potential mistake: "I was teaching how to prepare burgers, and as I was adding tomatoes, she shouted, 'No! No! No! The other time you put caramelised onions.' Her attention to detail amazed me and influenced my decision to teach children over eight years old, whereas previously I worked only with teenagers."
For Ms Boke, cooking is a fundamental life skill that promotes healthier eating habits and reduces dependence on takeaways. It also boosts creativity and confidence through kitchen expression.
"I've had more students this holiday because it's longer, and for some, it's a bonding activity. I've seen more mothers and daughters coming together, with mums observing from the sidelines. In April I had six students, August four, and so far this holiday, nine," she says.
Ms Boke considers cooking an art that develops well-rounded individuals. While some prefer YouTube tutorials, she advocates for in-person classes. "We can progress step-by-step through the cooking process, and students receive immediate feedback. Some recipes, like chapati-making, require face-to-face interaction. How can I teach you to make round chapatis without being beside you?"
