What is the Spoon Theory?
The Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandinois is used to describe what it’s like to live with chronic illness and her account is truly moving. Please take the time to read it and learn a little about what it is like for people with chronic illness. It is worthwhile and I guarantee you will be a more empathic person after reading it.
Since Ms Miserandiniois’s explanation of her illness using spoons, many people have found it helpful for everyday life as well. The basic idea is that each day, you start with a set number of “spoons”, a metaphor for your physical, mental, and emotional energy.
Every task you do throughout the day uses up a spoon or two: making breakfast, answering emails, driving kids around, dealing with unexpected problems, or even social interactions.
When the spoons run out, you’re done for the day. And unlike time, where we all have 24 hours, the number of spoons can vary greatly depending on how tired, stressed, or unwell you might be. Some days you might feel full of spoons; other days you start the morning with only a few.
Applying the Spoon Theory to the School Holidays
It’s easy to enter the school holidays with a sigh of relief, thinking that life will slow down and we’ll need far fewer spoons than we do during term time. But this is often where we catch ourselves off guard. Without the structure of the school routine, new demands appear, such as entertaining children all day, managing sibling disagreements, balancing work commitments, or navigating holiday travel. The pace may feel different, but the need for emotional, physical, and mental energy can be just as great, and sometimes even more draining in unexpected ways.
School holidays are a wonderful time, but they can also be tiring in different ways depending on your circumstances.
- If you’re home with the kids:
While you may not be packing lunchboxes or doing school drop-offs, caring for children all day comes with its own demands. From sibling squabbles to never-ending snack requests, every activity uses a few spoons. Planning ahead with simple activities, allowing for quiet time, and not expecting every day to be Instagram-perfect can help preserve your spoons for when they’re most needed. - If you are travelling:
Even the most beautiful holiday destinations require spoons. Travel days, packing, keeping kids entertained in unfamiliar places, and managing the inevitable curveballs of family travel all use energy. Building in downtime, even when you’re somewhere exciting, allows everyone to recharge and enjoy the trip more fully. - If you’re juggling work and kids on holidays:
This might be one of the most spoon-draining combinations! Trying to meet work commitments while managing children’s needs can quickly deplete your energy. It’s okay to set realistic boundaries, ask for help, and give yourself permission not to do it all. Every spoon saved is a win.
Encouraging Each Other to Be Spoon-Aware
Sometimes we look at others and wonder how they seem to do so much more. But we don’t always know how many spoons someone has on any given day. During the school holidays, let’s extend grace, both to others and to ourselves, knowing that everyone is managing their own spoon supply.
Some days, you might have plenty of spoons for big outings and elaborate activities. Other days, sitting on the couch reading together might be all you have energy for and that’s perfectly okay.
Creating a Family Culture of Rest and Gratitude
The holidays are a great time to gently teach our children about rest, gratitude and the importance of recognising when enough is enough. It’s okay to enjoy simple, quiet moments together — watching a movie, having a slow breakfast, or going for a short walk. These small, unrushed moments often become the sweetest family memories.
Rest is Not Wasted Time
The school holidays aren’t just a break for our students; they’re also an important chance for parents, caregivers, and staff to refill their own spoon drawers before a new term begins. Whether you’re heading off somewhere or staying close to home, may these holidays bring pockets of peace, moments of fun, and space to restore.
And if all you accomplish some days is feeding everyone and keeping the household afloat — well, that’s a pretty good use of your spoons too.
Trusting God with Our Spoons
Trusting God with our spoons means recognising that we don’t have to be perfect or have it all together every day. Some days we’ll have plenty of energy, and other days much less and that’s okay. God doesn’t measure us by how much we achieve, but invites us to rest in His grace and do what we can with what we have. As we head into the school holidays, may we give ourselves permission to slow down, enjoy simple moments, and trust that God is with us, whether our spoon supply is full or running low.
Mike Curtis, Principal