How to Reduce the Feelings of Mum Guilt when Working Over the Summer Holidays

Whether you’re working from an office or at home during the school holidays if you aren’t with your kids 24/7 then chances are those feelings of mum guilt are going to start creeping in. We all know we shouldn’t feel guilty, if we have to work we have to work, but that doesn’t make it any easier does it?

However, as working mum of three who runs her own PR Company I have found that these three things help to reduce those feelings and allow me to focus on my work when I need to without worrying too much about the kids, hopefully, they will help you too.

Involve the kids in the childcare arrangements

If you’re needing to work then chances are you’re going to be looking for some form of childcare, be that summer camps, play dates or family members. Before you make all the final arrangements ask your child what they would like to do and where they would like to go and see if you can accommodate any of their suggestions. If they really want to try a new football camp and are happy to go there for a few hours a day and return home talking about how great it was it will significantly reduce the feelings of guilt about sending them in the first place.

If you work part-time then maybe you could speak with another parent and do a child swap one week so you both provide each other with a day's child care but your kids get two play dates out of the arrangement.

If your child will be spending time with family then talk to them about the things they would like to do and arrange these in advance so your child is looking forward to baking cakes with grandma or going to the cinema with their uncle instead of worrying that they will be bored the whole time and remember to pack their favourite toys or books too.

Make the most of your time off

Again planning ahead is important. Ask your child for some ideas on things they would like to do over the summer holidays and try and book some in for your days off or for in the evenings when you finish work. These do not need to be expensive activities, it could be as simple as staying up late and watching a scary movie, starting a box set together, playing football or going swimming or even just being allowed to have their friends over for a sleepover.

Encourage them to make a physical list and then book as many of those activities in as you can so they can see they are getting to do the things they chose to do. And remember to make the most of the lighter evenings and go to the park after tea or arrange to meet friends to watch the sunset, by making the most of those pockets of time you do have will enable you to enjoy quality time together and ease the guilt of not spending time with them.

Be realistic

No parent will be spending all day every day doing fun activities with their kids, so be realistic about the situation and stop beating yourself up. Avoid scrolling through social media and seeing the pictures that show 2 minutes out of a person's full day and remember that if your child has to go to child care they are working on their social skills, having fun and making new friends, if they have to stay home whilst you work then they are working on their independence, ability to entertain themselves and relaxing at home and if they are with family they will be creating core memories, improving attachments and enjoying themselves and no matter which category your child falls into, most of all they are being cared for and loved whilst you work hard to provide for them.

So, try and ditch the guilt and enjoy the moments you do have with them this summer.