27/01/2026
Parent Mental Health Day: A Note to Busy Working Parents – You’re Not Alone
If you’re reading this while juggling emails, meetings, family logistics and a mental to‑do list that never seems to switch off, you’re not alone.
Parent Mental Health Day is a chance to pause and recognise something that often gets overlooked: how parents are actually coping. For working parents especially, life can feel like a constant balancing act between work, family, and everything in between.
At Barracudas, this day genuinely matters to us. Many of our Head Office team are working parents too. We’re doing the school run, planning childcare around meetings, thinking three steps ahead to the next holiday, and trying to be present at home while staying on top of work. So this isn’t just a message we’re sharing, it’s something we live every day.
The reality of modern parenting
Parenting today is busy. Not just occasionally busy, but consistently, mentally and emotionally busy.
Alongside work deadlines and family schedules, there’s the constant background noise of parenting: remembering what needs to be packed, worrying if you’re doing enough, feeling pulled in different directions, and carrying the mental load that rarely gets talked about.
Many parents tell us they feel:
- Short on time and always rushing
- Guilty about missing things, either at work or at home
- Mentally overloaded, even when life seems to be going well
- Tired in ways that go beyond needing an early night
If any of this sounds familiar, please know this: it’s not a personal failure. It’s a very human response to a very full life.
Small, realistic ways to reduce everyday stress
We know that advice like “slow down” or “make more time for yourself” isn’t always practical. So instead, here are a few realistic, parent‑approved ideas that many of our own team rely on when things feel overwhelming.
Lower the bar where you can
Not every meal needs to be homemade. Not every email needs an immediate reply. Giving yourself permission to aim for good enough can take a surprising amount of pressure off.
Build in small moments of pause
Self‑care doesn’t have to mean long spa days or hours of free time. A quiet cup of tea, a short walk, or a few minutes of calm between tasks can help reset your head more than you might expect.
Accept support
Whether that’s sharing responsibilities at home, leaning on other parents, or using childcare options that give you breathing space. Support isn’t a luxury, it’s essential.
Talk about how you’re feeling
So many parents assume everyone else is coping better. In reality, most people are just doing their best. A quick, honest conversation with another parent or colleague can be incredibly reassuring.
Plan ahead for pressure points
School holidays are often a big one. Knowing you have reliable, trusted childcare in place can remove a huge amount of background stress and help you feel more in control.
We’re parents too, and that shapes everything we do. Our understanding of parents doesn’t just come from feedback or research. It comes from lived experience.
Behind the scenes at Barracudas are parents who know how important it is to feel confident that your child is happy, active and well cared for while you’re able to focus on work without constant worry. That perspective shapes the decisions we make every day.
Supporting parents with stress‑free school holiday childcare
School holidays can be one of the biggest pressure points for working families. That’s why our activity day camps are built around making life easier for parents; offering a stress‑free, guilt‑free solution to school holiday childcare.
We focus on keeping things simple and transparent, with easy online booking, flexible payment options, and clear, open communication so parents always know where they stand. Just as importantly, we offer real peace of mind: all our camps are Ofsted registered, our staff are enhanced DBS checked, fully trained, and supported by positive staff‑to‑child ratios and regular risk assessments.
And while parents enjoy that reassurance, children are busy having the time of their lives. With over 80 activities on offer and a choice every session, children can always pick something they love; from sports and creative activities to teamwork and games, meaning they’re engaged, happy, and often can’t wait to come back. This is why we're the UK's favourite activity camp, with 1,800 Truspilot reviews and an excellent rating.
This Parent Mental Health Day, we want parents to know that you don’t have to do everything alone. If we can help take even a little pressure off during the school holidays, then we’re doing what we set out to do.
From all of us at Barracudas, and especially the working parents behind the scenes, we understand the juggle and we’re here to support you.