Navigating childcare during the summer holidays
School’s out for the summer! For kids across the country, the school year is finally over and the summer holidays are here. Yet, this feeling of excitement isn’t always shared by parents and caregivers. In today’s world, many parents are navigating six or more weeks of juggling childcare, work, and tricky finances. While there’s plenty of fun to be had in the school holidays, this period can be a big source of added pressure, fatigue and mental strain on parents.
Balancing meetings, deadlines and summer activities is no small task. For many working parents, August doesn’t really feel like a break at all – rather one of the most stressful times of year. That’s why looking after your mental health during this time is essential.
Understanding the pressure
The school holidays often mean a complete shift in the usual routine for kids and for parents – and this can be very difficult to navigate. From organising childcare to keeping kids entertained and managing self-guilt about time or attention, stress can build up very quickly.
In the workplace, this can show up in a variety of ways, especially if there’s a lack of flexibility or support.
How you can support parents at work
Even if you’re not a parent yourself, there are simple and meaningful ways to show empathy and offer support to colleagues juggling work and childcare during the holidays.
- Be understanding about flexibility. Recognise that someone’s schedule may shift – a little patience goes a long way.
- Avoid assumptions. Not all parents have support at home – try not to assume things are “sorted”.
- Offer practical support. Swap a meeting time, help cover a task, or simply check in on how they’re doing.
- Lead with empathy. Small gestures like asking, “How’s it going this week?” “Do you need a hand with anything?” can help someone feel seen and supported.
The goal isn’t to “solve” anything – it’s about creating space where colleagues feel supported, not judged or patronised. A bit of kindness can make all the difference.
Helpful strategies for parents and caregivers
- Plan ahead – Sketch out your summer weeks with work priorities and childcare needs. Even a loose structure helps reduce last-minute stress when things come out of the blue.
- Communicate clearly – Talk to your manager early about any flexibility you might need. Being proactive helps everyone plan better.
- Take guilt off the table – Lots of parents are hard on themselves, feeling that they aren’t succeeding at work or at home. But as long as you’re trying your best, that’s more than good enough.
- Find small resets – Whether it’s 10 minutes of quiet with a coffee or a walk after work, tiny breaks to reset can protect your mental health.
- Ask for help – Whether from a partner, friend, or family member, you don’t have to do it all alone. Don’t be afraid to reach out for support.
Supporting parents supports everyone
The summer holidays can be a joyful time, but for working parents, they often come with a unique blend of stress and stretched capacity. A little understanding and flexibility – both at home and in the workplace – can go a long way in making this time more manageable.
Whether you’re navigating it yourself or supporting others who are, prioritising mental health is key. No one needs to have it all figured out. With empathy, open communication and a bit of kindness, we can help each other make it through the summer in a way that feels a little less overwhelming – and a lot more human.