For today's working parent, the holidays present a unique challenge: "How do I make sure my child is safe, mentally healthy, and meaningfully engaged while I’m at work? In many Kenyan homes today, children are left with nannies or house helps, surrounded by TV screens, phones, tablets, and in some cases, unstructured hours that can either nurture or harm their development.
Whether your child is three or nineteen, a supportive holiday environment needs more than screen time and supervision—it needs intentional care. Let’s break down how you can support your child holistically this holiday, even with a busy schedule.
At this age, children thrive on structure, imagination, and connection.
✅ Create a simple daily routine – Leave a schedule with your nanny including meal times, nap time, and play time. Predictability makes children feel secure.
🎨 Include creative activities – Encourage hands-on play: coloring, building blocks, music and dance time, or even simple water play.
📱 Limit screens – Cartoons are okay in small doses, but don’t let TV babysit them all day. Opt for educational shows in Kiswahili or English and set viewing limits.
💬 Check-in often – Video call them when you can. A 2-minute chat during your lunch break reminds them you’re thinking of them.
These years are when kids start exploring who they are and forming habits that last.
🗓️ Give them responsibility – Involve them in planning simple tasks: “You’ll help set the table before lunch,” or “Water the plants today.” It builds independence.
📚 Create a reading nook – Stock it with age-appropriate storybooks or comics in Kiswahili and English. Reading builds focus, language, and empathy.
🧠 Add emotional tools – Introduce journaling, gratitude lists, or simple mindfulness activities like breathing exercises. Leave short notes in their notebooks to say, “You are loved.”
🚫 Be mindful of devices – Supervise their phone/tablet use. Consider educational apps, set clear screen-time rules, and keep devices away during mealtimes and before bed.
Teenagers crave freedom, but they still need boundaries and support—even if they act like they don’t.
🤝 Talk, don’t preach – Ask open-ended questions about how they’re feeling, what they’re watching, and who they’re spending time with. Show interest without judgment.
📆 Encourage a holiday goal – Whether it’s improving a skill (drawing, coding, sports), helping at home, or exploring a career interest, give their time purpose.
💻 Guide online use – Teens spend lots of time on TikTok, YouTube, and WhatsApp. Talk to them about safe online habits and mental health. Set limits without micromanaging.
🌿 Promote offline time – Suggest outdoor activities, family game nights, or volunteering with you for a day. Time with you matters more than perfect plans.
Here are the things that remain constant across all ages:
🛑 A safe space – Where they feel protected emotionally and physically. Talk about safety at home and online. Let them know they can always come to you or a trusted adult.
🧠 Mental health check-ins – Ask “How are you feeling today?” more often. Be attentive to changes in sleep, appetite, behavior, or withdrawal. These could be signs of stress.
🎯 Balance, not perfection – It’s okay to use screens sometimes. It’s okay not to have a packed activity schedule. The goal is a balanced holiday—not a busy or overly strict one.
👂🏾 Someone who listens – Even five focused minutes of listening without interruption can mean the world to a child or teen.
You don’t have to do it all.
✅ Equip your nanny or caregiver – Share daily plans, emotional cues to watch out for, and the importance of engagement over just supervision.
✅ Involve older siblings or cousins – Create a culture of support at home where everyone watches out for each other.
✅ Give yourself grace – You’re doing your best. A supported parent is better able to support their child.
Whether it’s a bedtime story over a call, a quick breakfast together, or a weekend family walk—your presence (physical or emotional) will stay with your child far longer than the latest cartoon episode. Let this holiday be one of growth, safety, love, and laughter—for them and you.