For working families the school summer holidays loom large in the calendar; several months of time to fill as children take a break from the structured routine of school with high expectations of fun filled sunny days and regular treats. For the adults who also hold expectations of making precious family memories while juggling the reality of work it can all feel overwhelming and come with a huge pressure to keep everyone happy while yet again de-prioritising your own needs.

But what if there was a different way, a way to feel more connected to your children and your own needs during these summer months? Below, I’ve shared some tools and strategies that will help you not only survive, but find time to pause and breathe during the summer break. 

The unique challenges of the summer holidays 

The school break brings a mix of excitement and uncertainty and whatever your plan for managing it, it often feels like the usual work tasks – attending meetings, completing projects, and hitting deadlines – are competing with new demands: managing the kids’ schedules, arranging playdates, and ensuring the home runs smoothly. 

The issue isn’t just about time management; it’s about mental bandwidth. The cognitive load of managing multiple priorities can leave little room for self-care, creativity, and the joy we hope to come with the summer months. 

 Reframe your perspective: it’s not about perfection, it’s about getting the right blend

One of the most powerful steps working parents and caregivers can take is shifting their mindset from perfection to balance. The pressure to do it all – be the perfect employee, the perfect parent, and the perfect homemaker – can be paralyzing, especially during the summer when the potential for comparison from pools to picnics is rife. 

Thriving during the summer holidays doesn’t mean doing it all, it means focussing on the parts that will bring you happiness and satisfaction but also letting go of some of the more mundane, routine aspects of being part of a working family. That might mean letting go of some of your stricter term time rules, bed time, nutrition, eating meals at the table  – we’re not advocating chocolate for breakfast but carpet picnics are always a winner. These strategies work as they give you a break from the rigid expectations of routine but also bring the holiday feels to the household and create a sense of occasion and fun.  

 Set clear boundaries: protect your personal and professional time

One of the biggest struggles for working parents and caregivers is finding clear boundaries between work and home life. Summer, with its mix of school breaks and family vacations, can make this even harder to navigate especially because even if you have a wellbeing routine that normally works for you, a weekly visit to the gym or lunchtime walk its hard to maintain this as your routine fluctuates and as a result the summer can leave you feeling more wired than well.  

It’s useful to plan ahead and set clear expectations with your colleagues and managers about your availability during the summer. Work out what the key priorities are for these periods of time and collaborate on a plan for getting these done in a way that also leaves time to enjoy the holidays. 

Setting boundaries at home is not always as easy but there are ways to ensure you’re managing your wellbeing one of the easiest ways to do this is to ask yourself, what do you need to help you feel well throughout this period?  For example, you might choose to let your nutritional goals down and have a daily ice cream but balance that with a daily walk. You might not be able to deprioritise work due to pressing projects but adding in a daily meditation or keeping clear boundaries around family time will help you to feel in control.  

When it comes to those you’re caring for, consider what you want this time to feel like and what you want to remember when it comes to September. Whether it’s a 15 minute card game after dinner or a three hour museum trip, find the time to do what brings you ALL joy. 

 Plan for flexibility: embrace the unexpected

One of the most common pieces of advice given to working parents is to plan everything in advance. However, true success during the summer holidays comes from planning for flexibility. Kids get sick, plans change, and work demands can be unpredictable. Having a plan is important, but it’s also crucial to remain adaptable. 

Create a loose schedule for each week that allows you to account for both work tasks and family activities, but leave room for the unexpected. A mindset of flexibility ensures that when things don’t go as planned, you don’t have to feel like it’s a failure. Instead, you can use those moments as an opportunity to problem-solve creatively and adjust with ease. 

 Build a support system: you’re not alone

Being a working parent or caregiver during the summer holidays doesn’t mean you have to do it all by yourself. Building a support network is critical to thriving. Whether it’s finding a reliable babysitter, arranging playdates with friends, or sharing responsibilities with your partner, leaning on others is essential. 

If possible, consider joining a parenting or caregiver group at work. Many companies offer employee resource groups that cater to parents and caregivers, offering a sense of community and shared experiences and social media can be a hive of great ideas for new experiences or projects to keep little or big ones busy during the holidays.

How coaching can help you thrive during the summer holidays 

Summer doesn’t have to be a time of stress and burnout. With the right tools and support, you can thrive during the summer holidays – managing both work and home life in a way that leaves room for joy, relaxation, and connection.