OVER HALF OF UK FAMILIES STRUGGLE WITH SUMMER HOLIDAY WORK-LIFE BALANCE
A recent survey has revealed that almost half of parents feel the school holidays are too long.
New research from MyVoucherCodes reveals parents are cutting back on groceries, draining savings, and turning down promotions to manage the school break.
- 58% of parents say the school holidays impact their working lives
- 53% of households find balancing work and childcare during the school break stressful
- Almost half of parents (42%) believe the school holidays are too long
- One in four parents (25%) spend £100 or more per child, per week
Balancing work and family life during the school summer holidays has reached a tipping point for UK parents. New data released today by money-saving platform MyVoucherCodes reveals that 53% of households find balancing work and childcare during the school break stressful.
As parents struggle to navigate the loss of daily school routines, the financial and professional strain is forcing many families into drastic trade-offs to keep afloat.
While 48% of respondents spend £0 on paid childcare during school holidays, often relying on help from family and friends. Those who do pay face steep costs. One in five parents (25%) spend £100 or more per child, per week on holiday care, during the weeks in which paid childcare is used.
To cope with these soaring expenses, parents report taking extreme financial measures:
- 23% have dipped into emergency funds or savings.
- 23% have cut back on basic household essentials, including groceries and utilities.
- 18% have turned to credit cards, loans, or overdrafts to bridge the gap.
- 12% have been forced to skip or shorten a planned family holiday.
The impact extends far beyond household budgets, taking a heavy toll on parents' professional lives. A striking 63% of parents say the school holidays impact their working lives.
- 44% exhaust all or most of their annual leave simply to cover holiday childcare.
- 29% work irregular hours, such as early mornings or late nights, to make up time.
- 26% attempt to work from home whilst at home with children.
For many, the situation directly undermines career growth and earning power: 17% have had to reduce their working hours, 16% have turned down promotions, projects, or extra shifts, and 7% have quit or left a job entirely due to school holiday pressure. The survey highlights a growing debate around the traditional academic calendar. Just under half of those surveyed (42%) believe the school holidays are too long.
Lifestyle and shopping expert for MyVoucherCodes said:
"The six-week break is meant to be a time for making family memories, but for millions of parents, it has turned into an annual crisis of financial strain and exhaustion. Understandably, almost half of parents feel the school holidays are too long, and that’s because they’ve become unaffordable. The fact that parents are also spending money on school uniforms at this time adds pressure. It’s worrying to see the impact on careers too. Years ago, the six-week break may have been a pleasure, but with both parents now needing to work, or for single parents, it’s one of the most challenging times of the year”
Sarah-Jane Outten
Survey Methodology: All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 756 parents of children aged 4-16 years who attend school. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29th - 31st July 2026. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
