When Work Doesn’t Stop but School Does
Summer holidays roll around, and suddenly the rhythm of work feels… harder.
Calendars stay full. Deadlines stay firm. But school’s out, childcare’s limited, and home life shifts in ways work rarely accounts for.
I often see talented people pulled in every direction - trying to work full days while covering childcare, navigating guilt from every side, and wondering why they feel so overwhelmed.
And the irony? I’m writing this at 6am, before my own kids wake up. Because, like many of you, I’m living it too.
So how do we navigate this?
As leaders. As employers. And as humans.
From a Leadership Perspective: What Tone Are You Setting?
What leaders model matters more than what leaders say.
If you’re running back-to-back meetings, working late, or pretending your own family responsibilities aren’t happening, your team will take that as a silent signal: keep going, don’t ask for help, hide your reality.
Instead:
Talk about your own challenges. Be human.
Normalise flexibility -“I’ll be offline for club pick-up” can be as standard as any other diary entry.
Ask simple, human questions like: “What would help you manage summer better?”
Great leadership gives others permission to show up honestly.
From an Employer Perspective: What Could You Do Differently?
The summer holidays aren’t a “working parent problem” - they’re a culture test.
If your organisation relies on people asking for flexibility, many won’t. Not because they don’t need it, but because not everyone feels safe enough to ask.
Consider:
Offering adjusted hours or remote-first weeks as standard in summer.
Encouraging meeting-free afternoons or protected focus days.
Equipping managers to spot the signs of quiet overwhelm, and check in.
Recognising that productivity may look different for six weeks, and that’s okay.
The goal is to create a culture where people don’t have to choose between doing good work and being present for their families.
From a Coaching Lens: Tips for Managing the Juggle
For those living the juggle right now, here’s what I remind myself of……
Be honest about your capacity
Don’t silently push through. People can flex if you tell them what you need.Prioritise ruthlessly
Not everything is urgent. Be clear on what really matters.Protect time for JOY
You’ll never regret stepping away for an ice cream in the park. Your kids, and your future self, will thank you.Boundaries are professional, not personal
Saying no isn’t failure. It’s leadership.Communicate early and often
Give clients and colleagues time to adjust. Most people will understand more than you think.
One Final Thought
Summer is short, but the impact lasts.
Your people will remember how they were treated. Your children will remember whether you were present. And you’ll remember whether you gave yourself any breathing space at all.
So ask yourself:
As a leader, am I helping people have a summer they don’t feel guilty about?
And as a human, what would give me more ease, right now?
Because working through summer well is leadership……….
