Now that half term is behind us, I don’t know about you, but I can already see the school summer holidays looming large on my calendar! 

My team and have started mapping out our strategy and approach because, let’s be honest, winging it rarely ends well.

The reality? For working parents, summer brings a unique kind of pressure. The school year may be winding down, but for us, the logistics are ramping up.

Balancing work commitments with the need to keep our children happy, occupied, and cared for over a six-week break (or maybe more!) is no small task. 

And when the length of school holidays far exceeds most people’s annual leave entitlement, it’s not just a diary clash – it’s a systemic mismatch!

That leaves many of us relying on a combination of meticulously planned annual leave, co-parent coordination, favours from relatives, and a patchwork of childcare options. And that’s before we even get into the emotional labour – the guilt, the FOMO, the juggling act.

Just thinking about it can feel overwhelming. I get it. I’m there too.

While I can’t magically solve the equation (if only!), I have created a few tools to help you navigate the coming months with a little more ease:

---

1. Summer Holiday Planner

The first step to a less stressful summer? Get it all down on paper.

This planner is designed to give you a clear, big-picture view of the summer ahead, so you can stop carrying it all in your head.

• Schedule Activities: Plan outings, playdates, camps, and quiet days. When the kids know what to expect, it helps ease the daily decision fatigue.
  
• Mark Work Commitments: Identify your busy weeks and carve out when you’ll need extra support.
  
• Block Family Time: Protect time for connection, whether it’s Friday film night or a weekend walk.
  
• Leave Space: Not every day needs to be full, sometimes the best memories come from doing nothing at all.
  

---

2. SUMMER HOLIDAY PACKING LIST

Whether you’re off on annual vacation or just a few days away, packing can be a stress trigger.

This checklist eliminates the guesswork, allowing you to focus on making memories, rather than searching for forgotten sunhats or chargers..

---

3. Back-to-School Checklist

Because let’s be honest, the mental load of the back-to-school shopping is real. This tool helps make the transition back smoother and less stressful for everyone.

• Supplies: Tick off everything from pencil cases to sports kits.
  
• Uniforms: Double-check sizing and spares before the panic sets in.
  
• Key Documents: Keep track of everything from school forms to medical updates.
  

---

Making the Most of It

I know that everyone’s summer looks and feels different, depending on the flexibility, resources, and support around you. 

There’s no one “right” way to do this.

That’s why I created these tools. Not to add more to your plate, but to help take a few things off it. To ease the mental load, give you a clearer view of what’s ahead, and make just a bit more space for the good stuff, whatever that looks like for you.

I’ll be using them myself to find my rhythm this summer. I hope they help you find yours too.

Nicky

---

Need the quick version?

Here are three simple tools to help working parents feel more organised, less overwhelmed, and more present this summer:

🔗 Summer Holiday Planner – Map out your weeks, balance work and play, and reduce daily decision fatigue.

🔗 Summer Holiday Packing List – Take the stress out of packing for holidays or day trips with a ready-to-go checklist.

🔗 Back-to-School Checklist – Make the return to routine smoother with a practical prep guide.

Let’s take a few things off your plate and make room for more of the good stuff.

P.S. Know another working parent trying to juggle it all this summer?
Share this with them, it might be exactly what they need!