Top 5 Tips for Summer Holiday Preparation (That Won’t Break You)

For mums staring down six weeks of snacks, noise and zero personal space

If you’re one of our UK mums, we’re on the final countdown to the summer holidays. For our US and Canadian mums, we see you—you’re deep in it already. And Aussie mums, bookmark this for later—school break is coming.

Let’s talk about the school holidays. Six + weeks. No school. Nonstop childcare. A calendar full of nothing and everything, all at once.

Maybe part of you loves it—sunshine, slower mornings, more connection.
Maybe part of you is already Googling “how to survive the summer with kids at home.”

Wherever you land, here are five real-life, mum-tested ways to stay sane(ish).

1. Get Organised (Before It Gets Chaotic)

Six weeks sounds like forever… until it starts. Get it out of your head and onto paper with a monthly wall planner. Mark down holidays, day trips, playdates, even chill days. Seeing the rhythm of the summer helps reduce overwhelm and last-minute panic.

Meal planning is another sanity-saver. If your house turns into a pit of never ending hunger during school holidays, having a weekly meal planner can help reduce decision fatigue and curb constant kitchen duty.

2. Create a Simple Summer Routine

You don’t need a strict schedule. But a soft structure? We love it. We’ve been inspired by home ed accounts like Thriving with Hannah and Coral Pearl, who build rhythm into their days without rigidity.

Think:
Slow starts → morning walk
Daily themes (like Craft Day, Nature Day, Library Day)
Anchor points like snack time, quiet time, or outdoor play
This gives your days flow without locking you into an hour-by-hour timetable.

If you’ve got older kids, agree on meal times, screen limits, or “you time vs mum time.” Boundaries are key.

3. Be Flexible

Yes, structure helps. But summer also requires flexibility.

If you’ve planned a day out and everyone’s exhausted, —consider calling things off. If the kids are bouncing off the walls on a “home day,” grab your shoes and head out.
You are the best barometer of what your family needs. Listen to your gut. Lower the bar if you need to. Adjust the plan. Let it be easy.

4. Stay in Touch with Other Mums

There’s a weird summer hibernation that happens—WhatsApp threads go quiet, school gates disappear, and suddenly it’s just… you.

Don’t go underground. This is exactly when you need your people.

Message a class group. Text another mum and ask how she’s doing. See who’s up for a coffee while the kids climb the same slide 54 times. You’re not the only one who feels like she’s losing her mind.

5. Make Time for You (Please)

No school run means no stolen solo time. So you have to make it.

Maybe that’s getting up before the kids (yes, it’s light at 4:30am—we checked).
Maybe it’s 10 minutes of yoga before Netflix.
Maybe it’s doing nothing, on purpose.

You don’t need a full spa day. You need micro-moments to reset, regulate, and remember you exist beyond the to-do list.

The Bottom Line?

Summer doesn’t have to break you.
You don’t need to entertain every second.
You don’t need a spreadsheet, a full-time nanny, or a Pinterest-perfect plan.

You need rhythm. Breathing room. Community. And pockets of time alone. 

You’ve got this. And if not—we’ve got you.

And of course, you can also reach out to us for help: email: emily@motherbrand.me

—

Follow us on Instagram @motherbrand.me for more real-life conversation starters, support for modern mums. And if you haven’t already, sign up for our newsletter for more from Mother Brand. Let’s help you feel more like you, not just Mum You.