A comical look at juggling work, kids, and our menstrual cycle this half-term holiday!

Hello everyone! I hope you are all warm and well, safe and sound wherever you may be! A very warm welcome. I have been off my social media and blog for a few weeks now because I have been busy dedicating my time and energy to other aspects of the business, planning & running workshops for mums and daughters and starting conversations with organisations to think of how we can help make the workplace a place where the realities, challenges and logistics around menstruations are well-supported.

If like me, you are based in the UK and have children, you will be looking forward (or dreading 😉) the fast approaching half-term holiday! As a come back post, I felt like writing something related to school holidays and self-care.

Ah, half-term holidays! The kids are off school, which means that the house is louder, messier and filled with more snacks than ever. For us mums, this is the moment to embrace our inner jugglers: work deadlines, grocery shopping, playdates and sleepovers, all while navigating our menstrual cycle that can flip our moods like a light switch. Isn'it the reality of family life operation!

The work-life juggling act

For working mums, school holidays can feel like trying to juggle an even greater number of juggling-balls without dropping them—almost impossible! There are those work emails demanding immediate attention, while the chorus of “MUM! I’m bored!” echoes through the house. It’s the ultimate challenge of multitasking: typing a report while refereeing a sibling dispute over the last cookie.

Interestingly, research shows that nearly 60% of mothers report feeling overwhelmed by the competing demands of work and home life during school holidays. Plus, on average, a mum can switch from a professional mindset to "Cookie Monster" mode in under 2 seconds.

Grocery shopping shenanigans

Grocery shopping takes on an Olympic-level challenge during school holidays. Walking through the aisles with kids is a workout in itself—imagine dodging candy displays while fending off requests for every snack in sight. Just when you think you’ve earned a green light for a peaceful shop, someone shouts, “Can we get sweeties?” It feels like they have an internal radar for these things.

Tip: Plan your shopping trips for early mornings or after bedtimes. Doing so can lead to a more tranquil experience—aim for at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted shopping!

Playdates and sleepovers galore

Playdates and sleepovers turn your living room into a mini-funhouse. Suddenly, you are hosting mini-parties in exchange for a flicker of sanity in your household. It’s astonishing how a group of energetic kids can create chaos. You may find yourself questioning if the commotion is from their playing or an impromptu reenactment of a historical battle.

Food discussions become crucial, especially when negotiating snacks. Kids can be particular but there is nothing wrong in influencing them and persuading them to go for healthy snacks. One survey indicated that around 74% of kids express dissatisfaction with shared snack choices during playdates, emphasising the need for clear communication about preferences.

Tip: raw vegetables and humus, pitta bread and humus, apple squares and peanut/ almond butter, oat pancakes are a few healthy snack that our children love munching on.

Rolling with the menstrual cycle waves

Balancing school holidays with managing my menstrual cycle is an art form in itself. While our children are full of energy, constantly demanding snacks and attention, my body decides to add its own level of complexity with cramps, mood swings, and cravings for chocolate. It’s a juggling act of refereeing endless questions, navigating discomfort and somehow finding the energy to keep up. Yet, despite the challenges, we make it through the day—exhausted but triumphant. Moms truly deserve a standing ovation for managing the circus of it all, with a little chocolate and a lot of patience. Juggling work, busy holidays, and hormonal shifts is no small feat.

Tip: Remember, it’s okay for children to witness a bit of vulnerability. Transparency can strengthen resilience in them for future challenges. In fact, studies show that openly discussing emotions can improve children’s emotional intelligence, preparing them for their own ups and downs.

Embrace the chaos!

So, when the overwhelm hits during school holidays, remind yourself you’re not in this alone. Embrace the chaos with a laugh, stash away frozen pizzas for those last-minute dinners, and consider letting the kids indulge in the occasional sleepover. This is all part of the joyful and messy journey of family life.

With a touch of humour and a strong sense of community, you can not only survive school holidays—you may even come to enjoy them. So here’s to the supermoms juggling it all, and may your grocery runs be filled with minimal squabbles and the occasional treat!

I wish you a lovely fun and restful February half-term holiday!