By the time November rolls around, many families feel as though they’re crawling to the finish line. Mornings take longer, motivation dips and even small tasks can spark big emotions.
According to Rachelle Dadswell, principal at SPARK Rosslyn Hub, year-end fatigue is a very real and very common phenomenon in children.
She explains that it’s a cumulative response to a busy year rather than a sudden change in ability or effort: “It’s normal for scholars’ energy to run low at this point. They’ve been pushing academically, socially and emotionally for months, and their bodies are signalling they need rest and reassurance. But, instead of ignoring the signs, parents should be hyper-vigilant – ready to give support rather than add to the pressure.”
Parents often first notice changes in their children’s energy and mood. Scholars who were coping well may suddenly find it harder to wake up, get through morning routines or stay focused in class. They may become irritable or emotional, or show physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach aches.
Not all children show fatigue in the same way. Some withdraw, others resist studying and many experience heightened anxiety.
It’s not just about exams. By the last stretch of the school year, many scholars carry months of academic pressure, extracurricular demands and social dynamics. Exams and disrupted routines compound the stress, causing some children to appear unmotivated or withdraw from interactions and activities. In psychological terms, this is called ‘defensive detachment’: an emotional response to the upcoming transition away from familiar routines and relationships.
“What looks like lack of motivation is often a coping mechanism,” says Dadswell. “It’s a way of managing the emotional load of the year ending.”
Practical tips for supporting your children through year-end fatigue
- Create manageable routines: Consistency helps tired children feel secure, but it’s important to keep schedules and goals gentle and achievable.
- Prioritise rest: A mental health day, an earlier bedtime or a slower weekend can make all the difference. Rest supports well-being and helps children feel calmer and more focused.
- Strengthen family connection time: Children cope better when they feel emotionally anchored. Shared meals and activities, or simple conversations provide grounding.
- Lighten non-essential commitments: If something can temporarily come off the calendar, let it. Breathing room is an act of care, not indulgence.
- Balance sleep, nutrition and movement: The basics always matter. Fresh air, unstructured exercise, balanced meals and enough sleep work together to stabilise mood and improve concentration.
- Break tasks into achievable steps: When children are overwhelmed, smaller tasks feel more possible. “Encourage your children to take small steps – not summit the mountain in one hike,” advises Dadswell.
- Validate their feelings: Don’t dismiss their exhaustion. Instead, acknowledge it and have open, non-judgmental discussions. This teaches children to name and regulate their emotions.
- Know when to reach out for extra support: If fatigue persists or begins affecting daily functioning, check in with teachers or school counsellors, or a mental healthcare professional.
Year-end tiredness is normal, but the pressure to ‘finish strong’ isn’t helpful. Families can create a healthier environment by normalising fatigue, not glorifying burnout or ‘busyness’, and placing well-being at the centre of everything.
Dadswell’s parting message is powerful: “Children don’t need us to be perfect. They need us to be present. Our goal as parents and educators is to support our children in ways that help them feel capable and understood. When families slow down, reconnect and focus on what truly matters, scholars find the strength they need to finish the year with confidence.”
