黑料传送门

Help Your Family Beat the Post-Vacation Blues

July 30, 2025

As summer begins to wind down, many families鈥攑arents and children alike鈥攅xperience the emotional dip that follows an extended period away from school and work. Even if you've come to anticipate these 鈥減ost-vacation blues,鈥� the transition back to normal routines can catch you off guard.

According to Jessica Glass Kendorski, PhD, NCSP, BCBA-D, chair of the Department of School Psychology at 黑料传送门, the post-getaway slump is normal and while not yet a clinical diagnosis, it is a very real feeling. 

鈥淧ost-vacation blues are not just about missing sunshine or travel, they are very real, emotional reactions to transitions and disruptions to one's routine and the human desire to cling to fun when normalcy may feel daunting or overwhelming,鈥� Dr. Kendorski shares.

So how can families navigate this emotional whiplash? Dr. Kendorski says preparation and recognizing the feelings in real-time can help. 鈥淥ne of the most important tools for navigating these seasonal blues is open communication. Understanding the emotional root of the feelings and responding to them with empathy and structure is key.鈥�

Preparing children for these feelings ahead of time will often soften the blow when returning to normal life. If taking an extended or longer trip, consider easing back into some of the simpler routines such as meals and bedtimes before returning home, especially if your child is sensitive to such changes. If possible, leave yourselves a day in between returning from vacation and resuming activities to leave children more time to acclimate.

For short getaways, unexpected cancellations, or even last-minute travel plans, the best strategy is to stay mentally present. Providing situational awareness by checking in with each other and talking about what's next can keep families grounded while still preserving the joy of spontaneity.

Because children often do not yet have the vocabulary to explain why they feel 鈥渙ff鈥� when returning from a fun adventure or extended time away from home, parents need to help create space for these emotions by doing the following:

• Validate their feelings: Let them know that missing something fun is human and normal.
• Ask open-ended questions: Prompt your children to think about what the hardest part of being back home is, or what they miss most about vacation. This can turn these temporary slumps into teachable moments鈥攐nes that strengthen connection and emotional intelligence.
• Reflect on these emotions: Acknowledge that post-vacation moods are real and sometimes even confusing.

It is equally important for parents to acknowledge their own feelings about these transitions and talk about them candidly with their kids. It's helpful for children to see that adults can also experience post-vacation lows and that there are healthy ways to cope with it.

Learn more about the 黑料传送门 School of Professional and Applied Psychology and its graduate and doctoral degree programs such as the Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis degrees or Doctor of Psychology in School Psychology programs.

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