How to manage summer holidays as a working parent

Lydia Smith

The summer holidays are finally here, which means children are out of school for six to eight weeks. Although many kids look forward to the long holiday, for working parents — especially those with young children — it can be a logistical nightmare.

While some parents may relish spending more time with their families, it can be stressful and tiring to juggle childcare and work. Almost half (46%) of parents with primary school-age children are worried about finding time to play with their child over the long break, a survey of 2,000 UK parents by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists found.

Additionally, nearly two-thirds (63%) of mums with primary aged children do not have sufficient childcare for the summer holidays — which rises to three quarters for single parents.

Counselling Directory member Charlotte Sharp, a psychotherapist who works with adults and children, says the school holidays can be rough for working parents.

Read more: Should children work during school holidays?

“I’m not sure if Covid has helped or hindered being a working parent. On the one hand, we can work from home and the need for childcare becomes less,” she says. “But it also can be hard to manage two jobs at once, being a parent and being an employee, and switching constantly between the two roles.”

It is stressful to find childcare, think of activities and keep small children entertained — all while trying to keep on top of your job.

“If your child has SEN (special educational) needs, this can add more complications on finding the right clubs and supporting their needs,” says Sharp. “Parent guilt is real, so here are some tips and tricks to get through.”

There are children’s clubs all over the country, including day activities, sports, dance and theatre camps. They are held in all sorts of spaces from schools to churches and other community centres. Try Club Hub for local clubs near you. “You could also ask on your local Facebook groups for suggestions or ask other parents,” says Sharp.

Read more: Are 'keep in touch' work days helpful or stressful for new mums?

“Pick the right club if possible, if your child enjoys it then this really helps,” she adds. “Check out what their SEN provision is like and how they deal with SEN kids. I feel every club should have a knowledgeable SEN person now, that can change things a little to support that child.”

It isn’t always easy to ask for help, but it’s important to reach out if you are stuck. Ask friends or family if they can watch your child — even for a couple of hours — so you can get some work done.

“For example, has your child got a friend that you could possibly swap childcare days with? Could you arrange playdates? I always found it easier when they had a friend over, they only needed me for snacks and drinks,” says Sharp.

For many of us, the usual bedtimes and mealtimes go out the window in the holidays, but trying to stick to your usual routine can help keep your mental health in check. The long holiday rolling out ahead of you can feel overwhelming, but creating a schedule can make things feel more manageable.

Put together a list of activities that you and the children are going to do, including work, clubs, daycare and spending time with the family. Knowing what you and the family will be doing each day will help alleviate stress.

Read more: How to find and reclaim lost Child Trust Fund money

It can be more difficult with small children, but investing in some activities to keep them busy can help. “Set up fun things in the morning, like homemade camps, crafts, colouring and pretend shops, so you can get a few hours of solid work done,” says Sharp. “And be compassionate with yourself, you’re doing your best.”

Annual leave will form part of a patchy solution over the summer, but employers need to support working parents in other ways during this time.

They can help by offering flexible work arrangements, such as reduced or compressed hours, later or earlier starts, or shorter weeks.

“Employers need to be compassionate when they’re asked for flexibility or support. They might not be able to meet everyone’s needs, but parents already feel guilty, so be understanding,” says Sharp.

Some businesses offer perks like gym memberships, but Sharp suggests employers could pay for a few weeks of childcare over the summer break as an alternative for those who would benefit. “It sounds a bit extreme, but in the long run the work and loyalty you will get from this could be huge,” she says.

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