Real Talk: Surviving the School Holidays as a Working Parent

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Let’s not sugar-coat it. Navigating the school holidays as a working parent can feel like trying to juggle jelly while riding a unicycle through a bouncy castle. It’s chaos. Exhausting. Sometimes guilt-ridden, and occasionally sprinkled with a little bit of magic (usually by accident).

If you’re facing six weeks of work meetings, childcare patchwork, and snack negotiations while trying to stay sane—this one’s for you.

Here’s a no-fluff, real-life guide to surviving the summer juggle when you’re both employee and entertainer-in-chief.

1. Ditch the Guilt (Seriously)

Let’s start with the elephant in the inbox: guilt. Working parents often feel torn between doing their jobs and making summer magical. Here’s the truth: you’re doing your best. Your children do not need six weeks of Pinterest-level fun. They need love, snacks, and the occasional sprinkler run.

Repeat after me: You are enough. Working is not failing.

2. Plan Like a Military Strategist (But Be Ready to Ditch the Plan)

If your work hours are fixed, sit down early and create a childcare and activity schedule that’s as flexible as it is functional. Use a shared family calendar (Google Calendar or a simple wall planner) to block out:

Work calls or deadlines
Childcare coverage (grandparents, playdates, holiday clubs)
Screen time windows
DIY activity time (crafts, LEGO, audiobooks)

Then—brace yourself—prepare to pivot. Someone will get a virus. Someone else will “accidentally” cut their own fringe. It’s fine. Plans are just a guide, not a legal contract.

3. Stagger the Day

If you work from home or have some flexibility, divide your workday into chunks:

Early shift: Quiet focused work while the kids are still snoozy and sweet
Midday break: Lunch + a quick game or a walk
Afternoon sprint: More screen time for them, spreadsheet time for you
Evening catch-up: If needed, fit in emails after bedtime (with biscuits)

It’s not ideal – but it’s a rhythm that might just keep you from tearing your hair out.

4. Use Holiday Clubs (and Don’t Feel Bad About It)

Holiday clubs are not childcare cop-outs—they’re lifelines. Themed days, outdoor play, new friendships, and most importantly… they’re out of the house.

Look for:

School-based clubs
Sports camps
Creative or drama workshops
Local authority schemes (some offer free or subsidised places)

Book early – and on the days they’re in a club? Use your lunch break to sit down in silence. Bliss.

5. Tag-Team Parenting (If You’ve Got a Partner)

Divide and conquer where possible. Can you both shift your hours slightly? Can one of you do the morning chaos while the other works, then swap? It doesn’t need to be 50/50 every day, but regular tag-teaming can give you both breathing space.

If you’re solo parenting, see if you can buddy up with a friend or neighbour for shared supervision days (you take theirs Tuesday, they take yours Thursday).

6. Embrace Screens (Within Reason)

Let’s not pretend screens don’t play a role in school holiday survival. Used smartly, they can be a godsend.

Top choices:

Educational games and apps
Audiobooks or podcasts (calm and hands-free!)
Kids’ films or series with positive messages

Set boundaries if that works for your family—but don’t beat yourself up if Netflix babysits for an hour so you can meet a deadline. The world will keep turning.

7. Create a “Go-To” Activity Basket

Have a stash of low-effort, high-engagement activities they can dip into while you work.

Ideas include:

Sticker books and puzzle pads
Rock painting or scratch art
LEGO challenge cards
Pre-prepped craft kits
DIY bingo or scavenger hunts

Pro tip: rotate the basket weekly so it feels “new” without you having to invent fresh ideas every five minutes.

8. Lower the Bar

The house will get messy. You will lose track of snacks. There will be arguments over who gets the blue plate. It’s fine. Pick your battles and accept the chaos where you can.

Summer doesn’t have to be magical every day—it just has to be manageable.

You’re Doing Brilliantly (Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like It)

Surviving the school holidays as a working parent isn’t about perfection—it’s about keeping everyone alive, fed, and feeling loved, even if the lunches are beige and the TV is on more than usual.

So be kind to yourself. Celebrate the small wins – and if it all goes wrong, start again tomorrow—with strong tea/coffee and no apologies.