While most kids go "woo hoo" as they race out the school gate to begin holidays others respond "uh-o" as they realise they have not only lost the familiar (and friendly) faces of their teachers, but the reassurance provided by their clockwork-like daily routine. School bells and timetables are solace for some children as they take the guesswork out of life

It is a common parenting maxim that children enjoy a well-structured daily routine. It takes the guesswork out daily life.

Routines are a little like railway tracks &ndash they take you in one direction and they remove any variables and distractions. It is a matter of set and forget.

They are great for young children who have heaps to remember each day and generally more essential for boys however that is a screaming generalisation.

Interestingly, some children are more reliant on routines than others and can get quite flustered when their normal schedule changes.

Commonly, children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Aspergher&rsquos Syndrome need strict routines, even to the extent that many walk the same route through school to get to their classroom to start the day. If their normal route is blocked some just freeze and cannot cope. Many have a mini panic attack but eventually move on.

The weekends and school holidays for a significant group of children present a challenge for that we often overlook.

While most kids go &lsquowoo hoo&rsquo as they race out the school gate to begin holidays others respond &lsquouh-o&rsquo as they realise they have not only lost the familiar (and friendly) faces of their teachers, but the reassurance provided by their clockwork-like daily routine. School bells and timetables are solace for some children as they take the guesswork out of life.

Some kids are a little out of kilter until a holiday routine has been established, which often takes a week or two. They gradually adjust to long sleep-ins and scrambled daily happenings.

There is a small group that always &lsquofeel slightly out of whack&rsquo during school holidays, particularly if there are many comings and goings in the house.

You can recognise these kids as they retreat from the group from time to time preferring a little space to being with the whole crowd.

They may object if you spring a surprise on them such as suggesting to go to a movie at a time when they normally watch a certain TV program or play a certain game.

They may want dinner at a particular time even though you as a parent are kicking back and going with the flow meal-wise during the holidays. It is not just food these children crave but routine, certainty and control.

If you have a child like this then I believe you walk a fine line during holiday periods between encouraging them to be more flexible and continuing to provide structure so they can feel like they function easily. These kids look fine but can feel funny inside when order is lost.

That fine line is something only you can negotiate, but if you have children who are addicted to routine consider:

1.Keeping them informed: A little information at the start of the day about how it may pan out helps them prepare and feel in control.

2.Keep some regular routine activities: If they always ate their breakfast and cleaned their teeth before dressing for school then consider keeping this order of events (or something like it) for routine addicts. This can put them on track for the day.

3.Don&rsquot expect them always to toe the family line: Sometimes these kids don&rsquot want to run around at a million kilometres an hour if that is your family way. They just want to do their own thing on occasions. Routine addicts need to go within when life is spinning a bit so they need some space.

You may even recognise yourself in the above. Most humans crave certainty. Only the degree to which we crave it changes. That&rsquos why during the holiday period most of us just exchange one inflexible set of daily routines for a more flexible, relaxed schedule. We put may put our feet up and kick back a little but we tend to do it at the same time of day each day!!