Working Parents and Summer Holidays: How to Juggle Work and Family in 2025

School’s out, and for working parents, that often means a full schedule and even fuller hands.

Balancing professional responsibilities with childcare can be tough especially during the long summer holidays.

At Yellow Bricks, we understand the pressure on parents to be everywhere at once during this time of year. In this blog, we’re sharing strategies, tips, and support options to help working parents stay sane, productive, and present at work and at home.

The Reality of Summer for Working Parents

Whether you’re managing a team or building your career, having children off school for 6+ weeks turns up the pressure. From finding childcare to feeling guilt about screen time, working parents during summer holidays face a unique type of stress.

In a recent Yellow Bricks LinkedIn poll, 67% of working parents told us they feel more stressed in summer due to:

• Lack of flexible childcare
• Juggling meetings and school holiday activities
• Fear of being perceived as less committed
  

How Employers Can Support Working Parents During Summer

If you lead a team or run a business, here’s how to support working parents over the summer holidays:

• Lead with empathy: Encourage open conversations about family needs.

• Offer flexible schedules: Adapt working hours to support childcare needs.

• Avoid proximity bias: Don’t overlook remote or part-time workers for projects or promotions.

• Promote wellbeing: Make mental health support accessible and normalised.

• Bring in temporary support: Hiring a temp to cover workload gaps helps reduce pressure, prevent burnout, and ensure deadlines are still met. It’s a simple move that gives your team the breathing room they need—especially during peak holiday weeks.

Need help finding reliable, short-term professionals? Yellow Bricks can help you hire temps who hit the ground running.

How to Juggle Work and Children During the Summer Holidays

Here are some tried-and-tested strategies to help manage the chaos of the school break:

1. Embrace Flexible Working Hours

Shift your day to suit your family’s rhythm. Early mornings, split shifts, or late evenings can give you space to manage both work and family without burning out.

2. Plan Personal Days First

Block out key dates for family time or childcare gaps early in the summer calendar. This helps avoid last-minute panics and lets your team plan around your availability.

3. Use Technology Wisely

Digital calendars, to-do apps, and family planners can streamline your day. But be cautious of overloading yourself with productivity tools, use them to reduce pressure, not add to it.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Whether it’s a colleague stepping in, a family member watching the kids, or a temporary workload adjustment, asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.

How Employers Can Support Working Parents During Summer

If you lead a team or run a business, here’s how to support working parents over the summer holidays:

• Lead with empathy: Encourage open conversations about family needs.
• Offer flexible schedules: Adapt working hours to support childcare needs.
  Avoid proximity bias: Don’t overlook remote or part-time workers for projects or promotions.
• Promote wellbeing: Make mental health support accessible and normalised.

Final Thoughts: Working Parents Can Thrive This Summer

Balancing work and children during the summer holidays isn’t easy but it’s doable. With flexibility, honest communication, and employer support, working parents in 2025 can enjoy a more sustainable summer.

At Yellow Bricks, we advocate for progressive, people-first workplaces that understand life doesn’t stop at 9 am. Whether you’re a parent looking for flexibility or a leader hiring with empathy, we’re here to support your journey.

Let’s talk about building workplaces that work for parents.

Explore More

• Read our previous blog: Supporting Working Parents
• View our latest jobs
• Contact the Yellow Bricks team