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Surviving the Summer Holidays as a working parent

The boys only have a couple of weeks left of school and nursery and I am looking forward to and dreading it in equal measure. I love the fact that we won’t have the morning madness of getting out the door on time for the school run but this means I have to find ways to entertain them for six whole weeks despite being a working parent!

We are very lucky that our childcare plans won’t change. My mother-in-law will continue to look after them two days a week, while Mr H and I will work from home one day a week (I have Fridays off). That one day from home with both boys at home will be tough for us both. Trying to keep kids occupied when they are at home all day is not easy, let alone when you have work to do.

Surviving the Summer Holidays as a working parent

Here are the ways we plan to survive our work-from-home days over the Summer:

Lowering standards

Making sure toys are put back before a new one is taken out? No chocolate or sweets until the afternoon? These little “rules” that we usually have in place go out of the window. When you are working and need to keep them busy *almost* anything goes. So lowering our usual standards is a must.

Which brings me swiftly onto…

Turning a blind eye

We may not be able to see any part of the living room floor anymore because it has been covered with every single toy they own, or worse, LEGO, but if it means they are happy to play and we can get on with work, why not? It just means a mammoth tidy up at the end of the day, which in the grand scheme of things is not too bad.

Gadgets

iPads will no doubt be used in full force to get through the “work from home day”, as well as working through the entire back catalogue of Paw Patrol on Netflix.

Snacks

This one is a biggie. I don’t know about you, but when my boys are hungry, they tend to be a nightmare and will have meltdowns over minor things. They have been known to fight over who gets to sit on the rug first. I mean seriously? There is enough room on the rug for everyone! Anyway, my point is – keep the snacks stocked up. It can also be a welcome distraction technique when you start to hear them squabbling over a toy or what to watch next.

What hacks do you have to survive the Summer with your children as working parents.?

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About The Author

Picture of Maria
Hello and welcome to Suburban Mum! I'm Maria and I'm mum to two boys - E who's 14 and M who's 11. This blog is about my family, the ups and downs of being a working mum and everything in between. If you want to find out more about me and my family head over to our About us page.

18 thoughts on “Surviving the Summer Holidays as a working parent”

  3. Ali Duke

    I agree, the snacks are essential! I have a big box of ice pops in the freezer as these keep them quiet for a while lol. Hopefully you will get lots done 🙂
    #fortheloveofBLOG

    Reply
  4. Jo from Organised Jo

    Great tips, and I have used them all, even when I’m just getting the chores done! I also try and get my eldest to write a story (she’s 8) and my youngest to draw a picture. It works for about 20 minutes!! #PicknMix

    Reply
  6. One Messy Mama

    Yes, Yes and Yes.. Love this post! I pack toys away and hide them 🙂 On those days that I cant take it anymore, I bring out the secret box and all of a sudden they are busy for hours! Good Luck #KCACOLS

    Reply
  8. Cheryl @ ReimerandRuby

    Great tips! So true, having plenty of snacks is a must. When the weather is great, I usually let them out in their bikes after I collect them from childminder, that will tire them off and then let them settle down inside the house after dinner, either watching TV or playing their toys. #KCACOLS

    Reply
  10. A Cornish Mum

    It’s always a balancing act, but school holidays are most definitely more of one for most parents. Luckily I only do blogging and freelance writing, so I can fit around the boys mostly – it also helps that they’re older and likely to be outside with their friends a lot.

    Stevie x

    Reply
  11. themotherhubblog

    My standards are super low already so not sure I could get much lower! I think its OK that sometimes youre not going to be at your A1 parenting game, you do what you gotta do to get through it. My son is is in a summer camp from 10-3 and will come into my office and play with his PS Vita for an hour or so till hometime,not perfect but we dont have the choice of perfect at the moment! #kcacols

    Reply
  12. The Unsung Mum

    Yeah I’m the same, looking forward and dreading it in equal measure! I’m bad anyway, from about 4pm the kids play/watch the iPad as I want to cook in peace and that’s there witching hour. I’m hoping to have the back doors open so they play outside, maybe get the paint out. I agree though that you’ve gotta lower standards or its just not going to work. #KCACOLS

    Reply
  14. Joanne Mallon

    Luckily mine are a bit older and pretty much entertain themselves. If they’re indoors too much I give them a couple of quid and chuck them in the direction of the park. I’m kind of lax, really. #KCACOLS

    Reply
  15. Geraldine

    I’ll be honest I’m not sure how working mums do it and I’m dreading it when it’s my turn. My little one is only two so still at the minders. I can only imagine the stress summer holidays brings working parents #KCACOLS

    Reply
  16. Jade The Parenting Jungle

    I am both dreading and excited by the quality time I have with little man, I have taken 2 weeks off work, 2 of them he is with dad and the other weeks I sweet talked every family member I know. Think the postman is having him one day…I definitely let the standards slip a bit in the holidays and this is our first one after reception class so I look forwards to that us time again..fab points #KCACOLS

    Reply
  17. The Pramshed

    ThIs is what I do every Monday on my work from home day. Through food and toys at the situation, to keep my daughter occupied whilst I work. It sounds like you have all the correct measures in place Maria. I hope you have a fab 6 weeks with the boys, it must be nice nto to do the school nursery run for that time. Thanks so much for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x

    Reply
  18. Savannah

    These are some great tips!! I stay home with my 15-month-old, but I cannot imagine how chaotic things must be when the kids are off for the summer, and you’re not! Snacks are the number one way I keep my kiddo occupied when I need to get something done because, well, he’s always hungry! Haha-thanks for sharing <3 #KCACOLS

    Reply

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