Why Prioritising You During the Summer Holidays Isn’t Selfish—It’s Essential

The school summer holidays are here. For children, it’s often a time of joy, adventure, and freedom. But for parents it can bring a mixed bag of feelings. Alongside the hope for sun-soaked memories, ice creams, and spontaneous fun, many parents find themselves facing extra responsibilities, constant juggling, and heightened emotional (and logistical) labour.

Yes, the holidays can be wonderful. But they can also be overwhelming. Amid sibling squabbles, endless snack demands, and the unrelenting task of managing screen time, where does that leave you?

Here’s the truth: carving out time for yourself during the summer holidays isn’t indulgent—it’s essential.

Why It Matters:

1. Protecting Your Wellbeing

The holidays can be exhausting. It’s vital to create small moments that allow you to recharge—whether that’s a walk in the early morning sun, a quiet cup of tea in the garden, or ten minutes with your journal or meditation app. These moments aren’t trivial; they are acts of maintenance. Remember: you can’t pour from an empty cup. Looking after yourself is a crucial part of looking after your family.

2. Modelling Healthy Boundaries

When you prioritise your own wellbeing, you’re showing your children what healthy self-care looks like. By setting boundaries, asking for help, and claiming space for yourself, you’re teaching them that rest is a right, not a reward—and that everyone deserves time to regroup and reconnect with themselves.

3. Boosting Your Patience and Presence

Let’s be honest: summer holidays come with extra noise, mess, and chaos. Making time for yourself helps replenish your patience and energy—so you can be more present and engaged with your children (and maybe even enjoy it more, too!).

4. Preventing the ‘September Slump'

Too many parents find themselves limping into September, utterly depleted. But if you’ve been regularly topping up your own tank, that back-to-school transition doesn’t have to feel like a desperate escape. Instead, it can be a smoother shift into routine—with you feeling more grounded, not more burnt out.

How to Make Time for You This Summer

• Book it in: Treat your time like an important appointment. Add it to your diary.

• Communicate: Let your family and support network know what you need and why.

• Share the load: If you have a partner, coordinate time off so you both get a break.

• Use your resources: If childcare options are available—holiday clubs, play dates, grandparents—use them without guilt.

• Drop the ‘perfect parent’ pressure: You don’t need to entertain your children every second of the day.

• Be kind to yourself: Some days will be chaotic and loud and messy. That’s not failure—it’s family life.

  
  
  
  

  The summer holidays are a precious time, full of opportunity for memory-making—but you are part of those memories, too; so don’t forget yourself in the juggle of activities, snacks and sun cream! By making time for yourself, you’re not only supporting your own wellbeing, but enriching the time you spend with your children.

Prioritising yourself isn’t selfish—it’s a powerful act of love.