The working parents' guide to surviving the school holidays

Caring for children during the holidays is a whole new challenge for families with both parents working, says Andrea Mara

The countdown to school holidays is on, and parents all over Ireland are rejoicing – eight whole weeks blissfully free of school lunches and homework. I was in that gang too, until I realised that as a newly-turned work-at-home parent, having my kids with me all summer will be something of a challenge.

Until last year, I worked in an office, and used a childminder, so summers were very like the rest of the year, but with lighter traffic. Now, school is my childcare, and I work while they’re there, so summer takes on a whole new — and petrifying — meaning.