![\"Summer](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-2166259340.webp\")
Getty\nSummer Isn\u2019t a Break for Working Parents: Here\u2019s What to Do About It<\/p>\n
\t\tGetty
\nSummer Isn\u2019t a Break for Working Parents: Here\u2019s What to Do About It<\/p>\n
For many kids, summer may mean sleeping in, lazy mornings and no homework. But for parents, especially those balancing full-time jobs, it can be stressful and chaotic, as you feel you\u2019re not giving your kids or job the attention they each need.<\/p>\n
According to the latest Modern Family Index<\/a> from Bright Horizons, conducted by The Harris Poll, working parents are feeling stretched thinner than ever during the summer months. The national survey reveals what many New York City families already know: when school\u2019s out, the pressure on parents ramps up significantly.<\/p>\n Psst\u2026 Check Out New York City Summer Bucket List for Families and Kids 2025<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The Hidden Toll of Summer<\/p>\n This year\u2019s research shows that 87% of working parents experience challenges when their children are home for the summer. From juggling work interruptions to constantly wondering what the kids are up to, parents end up multitasking more than relaxing.<\/p>\n Kids Need Structure\u2026 and So Do Parents<\/p>\n Consider this: with school out, NYC parents are suddenly on the hook for curating nearly two and a half months of daily activities. And then there is the pressure of doing enough. 66% of parents believe their children\u2019s brains will \u201crot\u201d without the right planning, and 86% say their kids need a solid routine during the break.<\/p>\n The study makes it clear that working parents need support. 76% of respondents said they wish their employers offered more help when it comes to reliable summer schedules. Claire Goss, Senior Manager of Parenting Education at Bright Horizons, points out that parents need more than just sympathy from employers; they need tangible solutions like flexible work hours or subsidized camps to prevent the summer from becoming a season of burnout.<\/p>\n We asked Claire to share her advice to help working parents survive the summer.<\/p>\n What\u2019s the biggest headache for parents trying to work while their kids are home for the summer?<\/p>\n While having children at home may mean more time to connect and spend as a family, many parents\u2014especially working parents\u2014are challenged to find ways to keep kids busy and engaged, usually filling their free time with camps and other activities. Curating kids\u2019 schedules, however, requires significant upfront work to find age-appropriate programs that align with their children\u2019s interests and schedules.<\/p>\n In a recent Modern Family Index<\/a> survey, 87% of working parents said they experience challenges or disruptions during the summer. They more frequently need to step away during the day to check on their kids, respond to calls and messages, or leave work early to pick them up from activities.<\/p>\n How much does having a reliable summer schedule for the kids help parents actually get work done?<\/p>\n A reliable schedule isn\u2019t just nice to have\u2014it\u2019s essential. In our survey, 76% of working parents said their ability to focus at work during the summer is directly tied to how reliable their children\u2019s schedules are. When children have structure and consistency, it removes the guesswork and guilt that so many parents experience. It creates breathing room, both mentally and logistically, so parents can be present and productive in their jobs during the workday.<\/p>\n And it\u2019s not just about productivity. Structured schedules also give kids stability during an unstructured season and help prevent summer slide. It mirrors the kind of consistency they\u2019re used to in the classroom, which helps them feel more engaged, and that benefits the whole family.<\/p>\n Do you have any tips for handling those constant interruptions from kids during the workday?<\/p>\n First, know that you\u2019re not alone. One in three working parents report more frequent interruptions during the summer, and those constant \u201cjust one quick question\u201d moments add up.<\/p>\n One helpful strategy is to give kids their own summer schedule or checklist filled with fun, age-appropriate activities. This gives them structure, even when you\u2019re not hands-on, and helps foster a sense of independence. Tangible, visual routines are especially helpful, offering kids a clear path through their day and reducing the need to come to you for what to do next.<\/p>\n Think of it as a parallel workday \u2013 you\u2019re both focused and productive, just in different ways. By mirroring the kind of organized routines children are used to in the classroom, you can create a home environment where everyone feels more supported, even on the busiest summer days.<\/p>\n Other tips parents can consider include: creating a positive, easy chore experience<\/a> for their kids during the day, having open-ended materials available<\/a> for times when boredom might arise, setting clear do-not-disturb times with a signal system<\/a> to note when you can\u2019t be disturbed, and setting aside an hour at the end of the day<\/a> to set your evening up for success.<\/p>\n How can parents keep kids on a routine during summer without making their own workday more stressful?<\/p>\n Keeping kids on a routine doesn\u2019t mean micromanaging every hour. It\u2019s more about setting routines that work for your family and support everyone\u2019s needs. We know 86% of parents want their children to have structure during the summer, and for good reason: kids thrive when they know what to expect.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re working from home, consider co-creating a daily plan with your child so they feel ownership, and you feel less pressure to entertain constantly. Another avenue is looking into high-quality and reliable summer programs like camps or other hands-on learning experiences.<\/p>\n What would you say to parents who feel like summer is more hectic than relaxing?<\/p>\n You\u2019re not imagining it. For many working parents, summer feels like a break for everyone but them. Nearly half (42%) also say the mental and emotional strain is worse in the summer, meaning they\u2019re not getting much R&R.<\/p>\n The truth is, without reliable care or structured plans, summer often becomes a patchwork of thrown-together solutions, and that can take a real toll on both parents and kids. If that sounds familiar, it\u2019s okay to acknowledge the stress and look for resources that can help, whether that\u2019s employer-sponsored childcare, summer camps, or simply carving out time to plan ahead.<\/p>\n You deserve a summer that works for you, too\u2014one where your children are engaged and thriving, and you can continue to be productive in your day job at the same time.<\/p>\n\n
It\u2019s not just about juggling logistics; it\u2019s also the emotional toll. 42% of working parents say the stress is actually worse in the summer than during the school year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n