It’s week four of the school holidays, and I’m clinging to sanity by my fingernails. The exhaustion is real. Most days, I look like I’ve crawled out of a hedge backwards. Honestly, the thought of starting my autistic four-year-old at school in a couple of weeks feels like a shining beacon of bliss compared to the daily emotional rollercoaster of juggling two kids and a job.
We were off to a bumpy start, but things have settled a little. Read more: I Knew the Kids Would Struggle With the Summer Holidays—But I Forgot About Me
Add in a sprinkling (ok, it’s a huge dollop) of autism for all of us and you’ve got a receipe for tears and meltdowns. Read more: How to Survive Summer Holidays as a Neurodivergent Parent (Without Crying Under a Blanket)
Every family dynamic and work setup is different, but here’s what’s been working for us—and keeping me just about functional:
1. Build in Flexibility
The first and biggest game-changer: flexible hours. I arranged with my employer to shift my schedule during the holidays. This means I can work in short bursts throughout the day or during quieter times like early mornings or evenings.
Breaking up my hours means the kids only need to hang on for short chunks of time before I’m available again. Some days, mornings are for work and afternoons for chaos. Other days, I work around naps or TV time. If your employer allows it, flexibility is your best friend.
2. Prepare Like a Pro
Before I start a work session, I set the kids up for success:
- Snacks for the session in a box
- Drinks bottles filled
- Toilet seat ready
- Tablets fully charged
- Favourite games or toys out
Will they still interrupt me every five minutes? Absolutely. But this little bit of prep reduces the number of times I have to leave my desk when I’m in the flow of work.
3. Wear Them Out (Early!)
On days we can get out, I schedule something active straight after breakfast. The park, soft play, a long walk—anything that burns energy. The payoff? After lunch, they’re far more likely to crash on the sofa for quiet time (and maybe, if the stars align, a nap) while I catch up on work.
4. Forgive Yourself
We’re living in a time where one parent staying home just isn’t realistic for most families. Two working parents, or a single working parent is the new normal—and it’s HARD. Drop the guilt about Minecraft marathons, endless TV time, or having fewer outings than their friends.
You’re juggling two full-time jobs, and some days it will feel impossible. That doesn’t make you a bad parent. It makes you human.
I hope your employer—yes, even if that employer is YOU—can work with you to make this summer bearable. And if all else fails? Just remember: September is coming.
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