How to balance running your business with surviving the summer holidays

Balancing the roles of parent and business owner isn’t for the faint-hearted. There’s no one-size-fits-all plan or hidden secret to making it all work - but it does take next-level planning and multi-tasking. Then, right when you’ve got a handle on things, the summer holidays roll around to throw things off kilter. Read on for a few top tips to help you master the balancing act during the holidays. 

Prep a holiday schedule for your household

If you can, planning a schedule to accommodate your work and family needs ahead of the holidays is a great way to get everyone on the same page - especially if flexible working will be inevitable. The good news is that you’re your own boss, so staggering your working hours could be an option. That might mean changing the hours of the day that you work or compressing your hours to free up non-working days. Populating a schedule that reflects planned activities for everyone in your household, who’s responsible for childcare, and working hours can also help you identify any gaps that might need addressed.

Keep everyone in the loop 

Once you have an idea of your work schedule, consider letting your clients know in advance - especially if you’re anticipating a decrease in working hours or a slower turnaround on work. This can help manage their expectations and (hopefully) avoid work creeping into your time with family. 

It’s equally as important to ensure your team is onboard with any changes in your day-to-day work schedule and that they’re feeling prepared for a shift in your availability. If you can, try to anticipate any questions they may have in your absence and document processes they’d find helpful when you’re ‘offline’.   

Similarly, if you’re a one-person team, but work closely with suppliers and other businesses, it’s worth giving them a heads up about the temporary changes to your working hours. 

Find a dedicated workspace

If you’ll be working from home while juggling childcare over the holidays, try to keep a dedicated workspace separate from family. This may not always be possible, but creating boundaries around that space can help with productivity and keep your work separate from your family space and time. 

Alternatively, if that sounds challenging and your day-to-day allows for it, look for a flexible co-working space that you can use over the summer. A lot of places now offer ‘pay-as-you-go’ options that allow you to book a space when you need it.  

Expect the unexpected

Even the best-laid plans can go awry. Luckily, as a parent and a business owner, you’re well-versed in being agile and facing the unexpected. So if you can, build a bit of flexibility into your schedule. And if you can take it one step further, have a backup plan in place in the event that things change unexpectedly on either side of the balancing act e.g. a kiddo gets sick, a childminder cancels or an unavoidable work-related emergency comes up.

Make time for self-care

Even when you’re nailing the balancing act, the school holidays will still be full on when you also have a business to run. To avoid burnout, set time aside for yourself to recharge. If it’s challenging to find that time, try blocking out breaks in your schedule or committing to activities for yourself - even if it’s just 30 minutes a day - and make sure you honour those times.

Most importantly, know that however you make it through the summer, you’re doing a great job. And while you’re busy juggling, remember that FreeAgent can help keep your business on track. From handy automated invoices that chase themselves to a 90-day cashflow forecast with alerts and smart suggestions. Not using FreeAgent yet? Try a 30-day free trial to see for yourself.