'It takes a village': Cork mums on how they manage summer childcare
Lowry says that while people often think being self-employed offers more flexibility, in many ways, you’re always carrying the responsibility of the business with you
It feels like a constant game of Tetris, trying to fit together childcare, camps, work responsibilities, and family time while making sure nothing falls through the cracks.
That’s how businesswoman and mum-of-three Lowry O’Mahony describes the juggle of work and family, once school holidays hit.
Lowry, who lives in West Cork, owns Max Physio and Pilates, which operates across six locations in Cork, and also has a pilates equipment and training company, Maxsona.
Her children are heading into juniors, 1st and 3rd class this September, and summer is definitely the most challenging time of the year, she says.
“While I generally work five days a week - four days in the office and one day partially working from home - the reality of business ownership is that you’re never really off. Whether dealing with an issue, running a workshop on a Saturday or planning for the week ahead on a Sunday evening, it’s very much a seven-day-a-week responsibility.
“People often think being self-employed offers more flexibility, but in many ways, you’re always carrying the responsibility of the business with you,” said Lowry.
During school term, she and her husband have ‘a fantastic childminder who helps us in the afternoons’.
“My mum is also a great support when it comes to helping with homework, as is an amazing woman called Maureen, who also gives us some support. Like many working families, it really does take a village. Between school drop-offs, collections, after-school activities and work commitments, there are a lot of moving parts. We couldn’t do it without the support network around us, and we’re very grateful for that,” she said.
However, Lowry points out that the childcare arrangements that work for nine months of the year don’t work in the summer.
“While we’re lucky to have a childminder during the school year, she can’t simply increase her hours for the entire summer. We usually get a secondary school student to look after the kids for the hours that we need covered with school closed. I usually take a family holiday during the summer, and I’m grateful to be able to do that, but as a business owner, I can’t take extended periods away from work, so finding solutions for the remaining weeks is always a challenge.”
She doesn’t think shorter holidays is the issue and says children need downtime too.
“However, I do think there is a growing mismatch between modern working life and the school calendar. Many households now have two working parents, and childcare options during the summer can be difficult to access and expensive. When you compare Ireland with some other countries, where school days are longer or extracurricular activities are incorporated into the school day, it’s interesting to consider whether there are lessons we could learn. As parents, we often finish work only to rush straight out the door again to GAA, rugby, soccer, etc. The goal isn’t necessarily longer schooling for children; it’s creating practical supports that reflect how modern families live and work.”
Her advice on how to navigate the coming weeks?
“I’d also encourage parents to share the load where possible. If friends are attending the same camps or activities, co-ordinate lifts and collections. Small things like that can make a huge difference.
“Most importantly, give yourself a break. Parents can be incredibly hard on themselves. We all have that inner voice telling us we should be doing more or doing better. The reality is most parents are doing the very best they can. Children don’t remember perfect schedules or perfectly organised summers. They remember feeling loved, supported and spending quality time together, often doing the simplest things.”
Don’t be afraid to ask for help and don’t feel like you have to sacrifice all your own time either.
That’s the advice from Vivienne McCarthy, radio producer for Red FM’s as national school holidays begin.
Vivienne, mum of Seb (10) and Joey (8), who are heading into fourth and second class in September, was initially reluctant to take up the position at Red FM as she felt the hours wouldn’t be compatible with her family, all year round, not to mind over the summer.
But she found a way through with the support of her husband, and now summers are just the same.
“I was asked to work on the show over two years ago, and my first thought was that it would be impossible as it’s an early start. However, my husband knew how much I would love this job and told me to go for it, we would make it work! Sometimes you need a push and thankfully, we have made it work.
“Rob works some later shifts and weekends so he can get them to school those mornings. The mornings we both have to be in early, I drop them to our amazing creche that do breakfast and drop them to school. They have been going there for years, so it’s a great comfort to know that they are in good hands. They head off to school on the bus with their buddies. I finish at 2pm so I can collect them from school, which is great. I love hearing about their school day on the way home in the car.” Summer holidays can be a bit trickier, Vivienne admits.
“Rob takes some extra time off. We take our two weeks off together and head off. Camps are a godsend to keep them active during the summer. I’m finished around lunchtime so can take over then. Other moms are also a great help. We have a great network so you would never be stuck if you’re running late.
Her tips to get through the summer are to help where you can, as others will return the favour.
“Grab a crew and take them to a park for a few hours – always with a soccer ball and snacks! Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Hire a teenager in your neighbourhood to help out when you need a break. We all need a few hours of ‘me’ time. For me, it’s getting my hair or lashes done.
“I’m determined to give the boys jobs around the house this year. I’m sure there will be a lot of eye-rolling to this, but we did it growing up and are all the better for it! I always remind them how hard we work to give them a good life. Holidays don’t pay for themselves!
“And finally, remember to just have some simple fun.”
Mum-of-two Niamh Murphy faces an additional challenge to other working mothers in school holidays: it’s her busiest time of the year.
Niamh, who lives in Whites Cross with her family, is the owner and managing director of ETC – The Events, Tourism & Communications Agency, which specialises in promoting festivals, events, tourism and hospitality.
“I work full-time - and often a little more! The beauty of running a remote team is that I’m usually home in the mornings to get the girls – Ciara (8), who is heading into third class, and Fiadh (6), who is starting first class – ready for school and can collect them by 5pm most days, unless we’re managing an event. I also take Friday afternoons off to spend with them. But like many working parents, I often log back on after bedtime. Thankfully, my husband is incredibly supportive. He works from home as well, so together we somehow make it all work.”
During the school term, she admits, ‘it takes a village!’ “My mum and aunt help out on Mondays and whenever the kids are sick or I’m working irregular hours. Tuesday to Thursday is a mix of after-school activities and support from a fantastic local childminder, and Fridays are my afternoons with the girls – aka play date central in my house.”
Summer is a combination of camps, childcare and annual leave.
“My husband and I both take time off when we can. The challenge is that my industry gets busiest just as school finishes. We project- manage the Cork on a Fork Festival with Cork City Council, which includes over 150 events across a week in August. That particular week is so intense that I usually check into a hotel in the city. There’s very little time free - never mind searching for missing swimming goggles or odd socks!”
From a working parent’s perspective, the holidays can feel long, Niamh feels, especially when both parents are working full-time. “But by June, the kids are exhausted and genuinely need the break.”
More summer programmes and camps would make a huge difference for working families, she feels.
Her survival tips include booking camps much earlier than you think you need to.
“Also, try to keep annual leave as actual family holiday time rather than using it solely to plug childcare gaps. It may seem more expensive, but you’d likely be paying for childcare anyway, and everyone benefits from proper downtime together.”
Sandra Murphy’s daughter Charlotte (3) is still in pre-school, but she’s already wondering how working mums get through the summer holidays.
“During the school term, Charlotte attends full-time childcare from Monday to Friday, which allows me to balance my work commitments,” says Sandra.
“Thankfully, that arrangement continues throughout the summer months, so we don’t face the same challenges as many parents of school-going children,” added Sandra, who is Group Brand and Communications Manager with Trigon Hotels and works a four-day week.
“Charlotte won’t start primary school until 2027, so I haven’t yet had to navigate the long summer holidays.
“I am so lucky to have the support of my mum too who is excellent at picking Charlotte up and cares for her during extra periods when stuck.
“My biggest tip for working mums is not to put too much pressure on yourself. Children don’t need every day to be packed with activities. Often, the simplest moments spent together are the ones they enjoy the most.”
Shortening the school holidays isn’t the solution for working parents; instead, they deserve better childcare options and supports - so says Network Cork president Diane Higgins.
Diane says she’s ‘lucky enough’ to have two jobs – one of which is part-time lecturing at MTU in the Marketing and International Business Department, which doesn’t take place during the holidays.
Mum to Hellie, 12 (5th class), Marty, 9 (3rd class), and Sara, aged 7 (1st class), Diane is also a freelance graphic and web designer for her own business, Diane Higgins Design.
“During the school year, I am lucky in that my husband, Kevin, does shift work in Cork City Fire Brigade, which means that he can often be off during the daytime to do some of the school runs,” she said.
“But the flip side means that he works evenings, weekends, and sometimes even Christmas Day, so it can be hard to juggle everything.
“We try to manage childcare between us when I am working with breakfast clubs and homework clubs, along with activities and a bit of schedule planning. This has seemed to work for us so far, but it takes forward-planning, some calling in of favours at times, and booking the activities and after-school to match our schedules.
“It can be tough to co-ordinate with three kids who have dance lessons, drama club, soccer training and scouts among a myriad of other activities.
“Our schools at St Columba’s, Douglas, are great in that they provide lots of opportunities for activities for the children,” she said.
“For the summer, again, I am lucky in that I don’t teach during the school holidays, which means I am not doing that part of my role. In terms of working with clients, I take on clients in the summer months, but I try not to take on too many so that I can spend time with the kids in the summer after a busy term for everyone.
“I work around my husband’s schedule, which leaves me time to work, and to spend time with the kids too - best of both worlds!
“I generally don’t do many summer camps as I feel that my kids like to spend time at home to relax over the summer and it’s nice to have the option on a sunny day to do things as a family, but I realise that not everyone has this option so parents can be under a lot of pressure during school holidays and summer camps can help to fill the gap.
Shortening the holidays isn’t the solution, she feels.
“The cost of living is high, so two-income families are now more common, and parents find it difficult to manage childcare during the summer holidays.
“More affordable and available childcare and maybe government-supported summer camps would all help,” she said.
“Although I feel the issue is systemic, without any concrete solutions, it can help to build your community – parents can help each other. Since covid, flexible work options have also helped, in my opinion, but I think there is more to do to make this a viable option for parents.”
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