Surviving the summer holidays and your business
Consider this your little guide to productivity without losing your mind (or your business), practical strategies to make summer holidays work for both your business and your family.
Let's be brutally honest for a moment: summer holidays as a business owner parent are not the Instagram-worthy montage of beach days and ice cream breaks that everyone else seems to be posting about.
You love your children. You desperately want to give them magical memories and be present for those precious weeks when they're home. But you also have clients depending on you, a business that doesn't pause for school holidays, and the persistent anxiety that six weeks of reduced productivity might derail everything you've worked for.
If you're reading this while simultaneously answering emails, mediating a sibling argument, and wondering how you're going to manage client deliverables with three children asking for snacks every 20 minutes, I see you. And more importantly, I'm here to help.
The summer holidays don't have to be a choice between being a good parent and being a successful business owner. With the right strategies, you can maintain your business momentum, deliver quality work to your clients, AND create those precious memories with your children.
Why summer holiday productivity feels impossible (and why that's normal)
First, let's acknowledge what you're actually dealing with. This isn't just about managing your time - it's about completely restructuring your work life around unpredictable schedules, constant interruptions, and the emotional pressure to be "on" for your children.
Your usual productivity systems weren't designed for someone tugging at your sleeve every five minutes or for working in 20-minute chunks between activities. The strategies that work beautifully during term time often crumble under the beautiful chaos of family life.
This isn't a failure of planning or productivity, it's the reality of trying to juggle two full-time jobs simultaneously. And the sooner you accept that summer productivity looks different from your regular routine, the sooner you can create systems that actually work.
The goal isn't to maintain your usual output while parenting full-time. The goal is to be strategic about what matters most, efficient with the time you have, and present for the moments that count.
6 Strategies to keep your business thriving while creating magical summer memories
1. Time block like your sanity depends on it (because it does)
Controversial one, but I say, forget the flexible "I'll work when I can" approach. It leads to working all the time while never feeling productive. Instead, create clear boundaries between work time and family time.
Try the "Power Hour" approach: work intensively for one focused hour while children are occupied (screen time, quiet time, or independent activities), then be fully present for family activities. This concentrated work often achieves more than scattered partial attention throughout the day.
Consider early morning work sessions before children wake up, or evening blocks after bedtime. Yes, it means adjusting your sleep schedule, but clear boundaries serve everyone better than constant half-attention.
2. Lower your standards (strategically)
This summer, perfectionism is not your friend. Decide in advance what "good enough" looks like for different areas of your business and life.
Maybe your social media content becomes more template-based. Perhaps client communications are more concise. Your house might be tidier rather than immaculate. These strategic compromises free up mental energy for what truly matters.
The key is choosing where to lower standards rather than letting them slip accidentally across everything.
3. Batch everything you possibly can
Use your child-free hours (however limited) to batch similar tasks together. Dedicate one session to creating multiple social media posts, another to handling all administrative tasks, and another to client work that requires deep focus.
Batching reduces the mental switching costs that are particularly draining when you're already managing multiple demands on your attention.
4. Communicate proactively with clients
Don't wait until you're overwhelmed to set expectations. At the start of summer, communicate your availability and response times clearly. Most clients appreciate transparency and advance notice.
Consider phrases like: "During school holidays, I'll be responding to emails within 48 hours rather than my usual 24" or "I'll be available for calls on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10am-2pm throughout July and August."
This proactive communication prevents the stress of feeling behind and maintains professional relationships.
5. Embrace the power of micro-productivity
Ten minutes here and there can add up to significant progress. Keep a list of small tasks that can be completed in short bursts:
Responding to quick emails
Scheduling social media posts
Updating client records
Planning the next day's priorities
These micro-sessions help maintain momentum even when longer work periods aren't possible. Just plan ahead so you know what your next micro-session will be used for.
6. Bring in seasonal support (and don't feel guilty about it)
Here's something many people don’t realise: you don't need to hire a virtual assistant permanently to benefit from their support. Many VA’s offer seasonal or project-based assistance specifically designed for busy periods like school holidays.
Consider outsourcing tasks that don't require your specific expertise:
Email management and initial client responses
Social media scheduling and basic engagement
Administrative tasks and appointment scheduling
Research and content preparation
This isn't about replacing your involvement in your business - it's about ensuring essential tasks continue while you focus on high-value work and family time. I have a handful of clients use this approach specifically during school holidays, knowing it gives them permission switch off from certain tasks during family activities.
The cost of seasonal business support is often far less than the stress of trying to manage everything yourself.
The reality check you need to hear
Perfect balance during summer holidays is a myth. Some days, work will take priority. Other days, family adventures will mean emails go unanswered. Both are ok.
The measure of success isn't maintaining your term-time productivity levels - it's creating a summer that serves both your business and your family needs without sacrificing your wellbeing in the process.
Your children won't remember whether you answered emails perfectly or if your house was always tidy. They'll remember the ice cream trips, the spontaneous adventures, and the feeling that they had your attention when it mattered.
But your business matters too, and maintaining its momentum during family time isn't selfish - it's practical and necessary.
This summer, make one decision!
Choose to prioritise strategically rather than trying to do everything perfectly. Your business doesn't need to suffer for your children to have a magical summer, and your family time doesn't need to be constantly interrupted by business anxiety.
Start with one strategy from this list. Implement it fully before adding another. Small, consistent changes create sustainable systems that serve everyone better than dramatic overhauls that last three days.
This summer can be both productive and magical - but only if you're intentional about making it so.
As someone who works with small business owners, I see how the summer holidays can feel overwhelming. You're not alone in feeling like you're juggling too many balls at once, and you're definitely not failing if some days feel chaotic.
I've supported countless people through these busy periods - sometimes it's covering their admin for a few weeks, other times it's helping them restructure their workflows to fit around family life. Every situation is unique, but the relief when you have the right support in place? That's even better than your favourite ice-cream (well very nearly!).
If you're reading this and thinking "I could really use someone to take a few things off my plate this summer," trust that instinct. Whether it's for a few hours a week or more intensive support during your busiest family periods, getting help isn't giving up - it's making a smart business decision.
Feel free to get in touch if you'd like to chat about what summer support might look like for your specific situation. Sometimes a quick conversation can help you see solutions you hadn't considered.
Here's to a summer that works for both your business and your family. Be kind to yourself, and remember, you've got this!
