Ebeli Berkman: Summer puts family life to the test – child safety and parental burden

The school holidays bring freedom for children, but for parents they often mean stress and extra burden. On Children's Protection Day, it is worth thinking not only about children's wellbeing, but also about parental wellbeing. Finding balance between work and childcare is the biggest challenge for many families during summer.

Summer is the most anticipated time of year for children – cycling, swimming, long light evenings and ice cream. But in many families, the end of the school year does not bring relief. Three months of free time can create serious logistical and emotional headaches for parents.

On Children's Protection Day, the conversation traditionally focuses on child wellbeing and safety. This is of course important, but Ebeli Berkman raises a question that is often overlooked: who thinks about the parents? A parent cannot usually take three months off work, yet a child needs constant attention, supervision and care during that time.

Finding balance between work and childcare during summer months is one of the biggest challenges families face. Kindergartens and schools are closed, hobby clubs are on break, and not every family has the option to send their children to grandparents. Summer camps and other alternative childcare options help ease the situation somewhat, but they require both financial and organisational resources.

Berkman emphasises that child protection work cannot be limited to children's needs alone – the entire family system requires attention. A tired and overburdened parent cannot provide a child with a safe and supportive environment. Therefore, supporting parental wellbeing is actually also part of child protection.

Summer is both a gift and a test for families. Ideally, it allows them to create shared memories and spend time together. But for these moments to be truly valuable, the whole family – adults included – needs to feel safe and supported.