A mum-of-three has gone viral after sharing the incredible itinerary she comes up with for the summer holidays – preparing it months in advance.
Rosie Graham describes herself as a “highly disciplined” parent, which includes starting her preparations for the six-week break, which commences in late July, as far back as May.
In a TikTok which garnered 40,000 views, she shared her detailed plans, covering varying costs and weather eventualities – which she says saves significant stress, as well as money.
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The hyper-organisation came as a result of struggling throughout half terms and holidays, as she scrambled to keep her brood – Hunter, eight, Dakota, seven, and four-year-old Saint – occupied.
“I often felt like I was constantly reacting to the day rather than enjoying it,” Rosie, a stay-at-home mum from Bedfordshire, told What’s The Jam.
“I’d spend time searching for activities at the last minute and sometimes felt guilty that we weren’t making the most of the holidays.
“As a mum of three children of different ages, I’ve found that the summer holidays run much more smoothly when I plan ahead.
“Over the years I’ve realised that waiting until the holidays start often leads to a lot of last-minute decision-making, higher costs and children quickly becoming bored.
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“This year I’ve put together a full six-week summer plan, including holiday clubs, low-cost activities, library visits, outdoor adventures, learning opportunities and backup ideas for rainy days. “I’ve also involved the children in the planning by helping them create their own summer bucket lists.
“They’ve each chosen activities and experiences they would like to do over the holidays, which has made them even more excited for the summer ahead.
“Having a framework in place means we can enjoy the holidays without feeling overwhelmed while still leaving plenty of room for spontaneity and fun.”
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While it has taken work in the run-up to the holidays, with Rosie spending her time researching options for the itinerary, she says it is well worth the extra effort.
She said: “The biggest benefit is reducing stress. I don’t spend every morning wondering what we’re going to do because I already have ideas and options prepared.
“It also saves money because I can research free and low-cost activities in advance rather than making expensive last-minute decisions.
“It helps reduce boredom because the children always have something to choose from, and it allows me to balance fun with learning so they can continue building confidence in reading, writing and maths throughout the summer.
“Most importantly, it helps us make the most of our time together and create lasting family memories.”
And she insists it isn’t about sticking to a strict schedule – but more about laying the groundwork for a smooth, fun-filled summer.
Rosie added: “The children respond really well to it because the structure is flexible rather than rigid.
“They know roughly what the week looks like and what options are available, which helps them feel secure and gives them things to look forward to.
“Because they’ve helped create their own bucket lists, they feel involved in the process and genuinely excited about the activities we’ve planned.
“I think there’s sometimes a misconception that planning means scheduling every minute of your children’s day.
“For me, it’s actually about creating freedom.
“By organising the practical side of things beforehand, we have more time to be present, make memories and enjoy spending time together as a family.
“My goal isn’t to create perfect holidays. It’s simply to create meaningful ones.”
On the list is outdoor activities including swims, walks, play dates, beach trips, allotment visits, and treasure hunts.
Meanwhile indoors they can spend time baking, doing arts and crafts, building dens, sensory play, and journaling.
In the evening, Rosie has planned family walks, picnics, park trips, stargazing, outdoor film nights, and gardening.
On Saturdays, they are set to enjoy days out to the zoo, theme parks, beaches, aquariums, farms, the cinema and more.
She said: “I’m looking forward to the simple moments.
“While we’ll do some organised activities and days out, some of my favourite memories are things like park trips, nature walks, picnics, library visits and family games nights.
“I’m also excited to tick things off the children’s summer bucket lists with them and watch them continue developing their confidence, independence and interests over the summer break.”
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