Mental Health & Parenting:
Finding Our Balance During the School Summer Holidays
The school summer holidays always seem to arrive with a mix of excitement and pressure. Six weeks of no school sounds brilliant when you first think about it, slower mornings, more daylight, more time together. But once you’re actually in it, the reality can feel very different. The routine disappears, the days stretch out, and suddenly you’re juggling work, childcare, snacks, emotions, and expectations all at once.
It’s one of those times of year where parents quietly carry a lot. And most of it goes unseen.
The pressure to create a “perfect summer”
There’s a strange pressure that creeps in during July and August. Everywhere you look, someone seems to be doing something big, beach trips, theme parks, packed schedules, endless activities. It’s easy to feel like you’re not doing enough, or that your summer should look more exciting.
But children don’t need a perfect summer. They need connection. They need calm moments. They need you, not a six‑week itinerary.
Some of the best memories come from the simplest things: a walk around the ponds, a picnic on the grass, a lazy afternoon at home, or letting them stay up a little later because the sunset is too nice to miss.
If your summer looks more like “trying your best” than “creating magic every day”, that’s more than enough.
The mental load doesn’t take a holiday
When school stops, the mental load doesn’t. In fact, it often gets heavier.
Parents become entertainers, organisers, referees, snack‑providers, emotional support, and everything in between — all while still trying to keep up with work, life admin, and their own wellbeing. It’s no wonder people feel stretched.
Feeling tired or overwhelmed isn’t a sign you’re failing. It’s a sign you’re human.
Sometimes just saying it out loud helps: “I’m tired.” “I’m stretched.” “I need a breather.” “I’m doing my best.”
It doesn’t fix everything, but it gives you permission to slow down and adjust.
Small anchors that help steady the day
During the holidays, it’s often the small things that keep us grounded:
- A five‑minute breather outside while the kettle boils.
- One predictable part of the day, breakfast together, a walk after dinner, or a quiet half‑hour while the kids watch TV.
- Letting go of the idea that every day needs to be productive.
- Asking for help when you need it ,from a partner, a friend, or another parent.
These little anchors make a bigger difference than people realise.
Children feel the shift too
It’s easy to forget that children also lose their routine in the holidays. Some love the freedom. Others feel unsettled or overstimulated. Some bounce between excitement and boredom in the space of ten minutes.
Their behaviour isn’t a reflection of your parenting, it’s a reflection of the change in their world.
A calm parent helps create a calm child. But calm doesn’t mean never stressed. It means noticing the stress and responding with kindnes, towards them and towards yourself.
You’re allowed to enjoy it, and you’re allowed to find it hard
The summer holidays can be lovely. They can also be exhausting. Most of the time, they’re a mix of both.
You’re allowed to enjoy the slower pace, the extra time together, and the chance to step out of the usual routine. You’re also allowed to find the noise, the mess, the constant demands, and the lack of personal space difficult.
Both can be true at the same time.
A small idea for connection
I’ve been thinking about arranging a Parents’ Park meet, nothing formal, just a relaxed meet‑up for parents who want a bit of company and a chance to chat while the kids run around. If that’s something you’d be interested in, let me know. If enough people fancy it, I’ll set one up.
A gentle reminder as we move through the summer
You don’t need to be the perfect parent. You don’t need to create the perfect summer. You don’t need to entertain your children every minute of the day.
What they’ll remember is how it felt to be with you — not how much you planned.