10 ways to successfully manage parenting while working during school holidays

Still have to work these school holidays?

If the title of this blog is a bit long and a real mouthful that just gives you an indication that trying to parent your children during school holidays while still trying to work is just as tough!

It can be really stressful when school holidays creep up and you still have to work. When you work flexible hours or work from home there are benefits like not having to pay for child care or vacation care but then it is a big struggle to get any work done while the kids are around. As a school teacher, I have been so lucky for many years to be able to share the school holidays with my own kids. I have not had to juggle vacation care and work etc. However, as a mum trying to keep my business going while the kids are at home, I get how hard it it. Fortunately, I have managed to successfully occupy 25 students for 6 hours a day for many many days. With this experience behind me I am fully equipped to help you manage work and parenting during the school holidays. All you have to do is read on and take action!

I always like to break down my advice into manageable chunks so here are my top ten tips to successfully manage work and kids at home these holidays;

1. Create a Schedule: Establish a daily routine that includes designated work hours and dedicated time for engaging with your children. Having a schedule helps set expectations and allows for better time management.

2. Plan Ahead: Take some time to plan activities and tasks for both work and play. Knowing what needs to be accomplished each day can help you stay organized and reduce stress.

3. Set Boundaries: Clearly communicate with your children about your work hours and the importance of uninterrupted time for work. Set boundaries for when they can seek your attention and when they need to occupy themselves.

4. Utilise Screen Time Wisely: While excessive screen time is not ideal, strategically using educational apps, online learning resources, or age-appropriate movies can provide entertainment for your children while you focus on work tasks.

5. Rotate Activities: Keep a variety of activities on hand to rotate throughout the day. This could include arts and crafts, outdoor playtime, reading, and quiet time activities like puzzles or colouring. It is totally okay if some of your child’s days look like a school day with scheduled activities and times for breaks/play etc.

6. Designate a Workspace: Create a designated workspace for yourself where you can focus on work without distractions. This helps signal to your children that you're in work mode and encourages them to respect your space.

7. Encourage Independent Play: Foster independence by encouraging your children to engage in independent play or activities that they can do on their own. This allows them to develop self-sufficiency while giving you time to concentrate on work.

8. Combine Work and Play: Look for opportunities to involve your children in your work tasks, such as asking them to help with simple office tasks or including them in creative brainstorming sessions.

9. Take Breaks Together: Schedule regular breaks throughout the day to spend quality time with your children. Use these breaks to connect, engage in activities together, and recharge before returning to work.

10. Be Flexible and Patient: Understand that there will be challenges and interruptions along the way, and that's okay. Be flexible with your schedule and patient with yourself and your children as you navigate this balancing act.

So, as mentioned in the steps above, make a plan, get sorted early and have activities, games, craft materials and a schedule in place before the holidays start and you will be feeling productive and not so stressed these school holidays!

Don’t forget to comment and let me know if any of these tips worked for you!