PA Life wellness columnist Julia Green, Sales & Commercial Manager at Center Parcs Conferences & Events shares great ideas for happier family summers. You can also find Julia’s wellness advice in PA Life magazine…
There’s something about summer that brings both joy and pressure in equal measure. Longer days, school holidays, the promise of memory-making. And, for working parents, the creeping sense that we should somehow be doing more.
More days out. More crafts. More presence. More everything.
But what if this summer, we gave ourselves permission to do less—and enjoy it more?
Letting go of parenting guilt this summer
Parenting guilt isn’t new, but it often feels amplified during the holidays. Many roles, even those with the option to purchase additional leave, don’t allow parents to be off for the full stretch of the school break. As a mum of 10-year-old boys, the juggle between work commitments and keeping them entertained can feel relentless. This is often amplified for parents managing younger children, less flexible roles, or working hours that don’t neatly fit around family life.
Flexible working has been a game changer for many. Whether it’s shifting hours, working remotely, or simply having understanding leadership, it allows parents to be present in a way that feels more balanced. That might mean logging off early to enjoy the sunshine, working later to allow for a slower morning, or navigating holiday clubs more easily. It’s not perfect—but it’s progress.
The key is to reframe expectations
Children don’t need a packed itinerary or expensive experiences to have a meaningful summer. Often, it’s the simplest moments that stay with them: insect hunting in the garden, a spontaneous picnic, or just uninterrupted time together. One of my boys’ favourite summers was our self-declared “summer of fun”—a mix of low-cost days out, time with friends and grandparents, and simple activities woven around the working week.
Suggestions for low-pressure ways to keep children engaged
- Micro-adventures: local walks, nature trails, or exploring somewhere new nearby
- Creative afternoons: painting, baking, or den building
- “Yes” days (within reason): letting them choose simple activities or meals
- Movie nights: blankets, snacks, and a cosy cinema feel at home
- Involving them in your world: small “tasks” if you’re working from home
It’s also okay for children to be bored. In fact, boredom often sparks creativity and independence—something we don’t always allow space for in structured lives. My boys regularly declare boredom, only to invent the most imaginative games moments later.
Parents – be kind to yourselves
And for us parents? Be kind to yourself. You are balancing a lot. Summer doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s version of perfect. It can be slower, simpler, and still completely meaningful.
Because what children remember most isn’t the scale of what you did—it’s how it felt. And a calm, present parent is far more valuable than a pressured, exhausted one trying to do it all.
You can read Julia’s spring wellness column here.
