School Holidays Are Here: 5 Tips for Juggling Work and Kids (Without Losing Your Mind)

School Holidays Are Here: 5 Tips for Juggling Work and Kids (Without Losing Your Mind)

For working parents, school holidays can be both a joy and a logistical puzzle. With the NSW school break just around the corner, many of us at ASR Recruitment – and many of our candidates and clients – are preparing to juggle family time, work commitments, and everything in between.

We know that flexibility at work isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a lifeline for parents during these busy weeks. So whether you’re working from home, managing hybrid hours, or trying to keep your team productive, here are a few tried-and-true ways to keep the kids happy and keep your sanity:

1. Set a loose routine – for everyone

Kids thrive with structure (even during holidays). Creating a light routine – breakfast, outdoor time, quiet time, screen time – helps them stay settled and gives you blocks of time for focused work.

2. Embrace flexible hours if possible

Whether you’re an employer or employee, flexibility is gold during school holidays. Starting early, taking a longer midday break, or splitting work across two parents can make a world of difference.

3. Have a “boredom buster” list ready

Create a go-to list of activities your kids can do independently: puzzles, audiobooks, crafts, online museum tours, or free holiday programs in your area. (Hot tip: Newcastle and Sydney councils often have free school holiday events – worth checking out!)

4. Communicate with your team

If you’re a hiring manager or team leader, now’s the time to check in with your team. Being aware of who has kids at home and offering some leeway can go a long way toward maintaining morale and productivity.

5. Don’t aim for perfection

Real talk: your house might be a mess, a Zoom call might feature a surprise guest, and screen time may go up. That’s OK. These weeks are temporary – give yourself (and others) some grace.

Why We’re Sharing This

At ASR, we support people through career moves and life changes – because they’re often one and the same. Whether you’re job hunting, onboarding a new team member, or leading a department, schoolholidays affect how we all work.

If you’re navigating flexibility, team culture, or work-life balance – we’d love to chat. Supporting professionals is what we do best.

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