Hey Reader

Thanks to everyone to wrote to me for last week’s Ask Me Anything! Given that school holidays are upon us, here’s a question I thought I should answer in public: how do I run my business during school holidays when my own kids are also off school?

Short version: I lower my standards.

I put an out of office message on which tells people that I’m spending time resting, recovering and hanging out with my kids and it’ll take me longer than usual to respond. I try to finish off any big projects before that final school bell. I don’t to take on anything that requires deep work or large amounts of creative thinking during the break.

I know that I’m in a privileged position because I am the boss, so I get the call the shots with my work. But as my kids move into teenage-hood (and arguably need me less), taking time away from my desk every quarter is even more important for me.

The reality is that we only get 18 years with our kids.

That’s not very long.

And I’m than over the halfway mark. So I’m holding onto these last years of childhood tightly, and trying to make sure that our moments together, matter.

hat’s not to say that
every moment needs to be big or dramatic. Sometimes it’s enough just to be in the same room together, reading a book or watching a movie. It means that we’re not frantically rushing from one place to the next, or that I’m squeezing in work typing from the back seat of a car (been there, done that). Basically, I’m anti-frazzle.

So tell me – how are you spending intentional time with your kids these school holidays? I’d love to hear your ideas.

Joyce xx

P.S. Are you also anti-frazzle? I’m here to help. Grab our Winter Holiday Guide before the school holidays start.

AFFILIATE CONTENT

For over 130 years, Mathers has been Australia’s go-to for quality, comfortable footwear.

From everyday essentials to on-trend styles, the range covers women’s, men’s and kids’ shoes, boots, sandals and accessories.

With stores nationwide and easy online shopping, great shoes are never far away.

🌟 Featured Event

​Electric Wonderland (Daily from Friday 26 Jun – Sunday 12 Jul) Glowing tunnels and immersive light zones make for a magical school holiday night out, with plenty of photo moments along the way. 📍Bendigo

🗓️ Melbourne CBD ➝ More CBD picks

​Fondue Chalet Melbourne (Various sessions until Saturday 25 Jul) Heated timber chalets, cheese fondue and an après-ski bar bring French Alps energy to Fed Square. 📍CBD

​Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City (Daily until Monday 31 Aug, excl. Tuesdays) Step into the Inca Empire via VR, guided by robot companion TERI. Ages 10+, min height 1.30m, kids 10-15 need an adult. 📍CBD

🗓️ Melbourne NORTH ➝ More north-side picks ​

​Winter Bonfire Fundraiser (Saturday 27 Jun) A blazing solstice bonfire at Collingwood Children’s Farm with live music, games and mulled wine, supporting the Farm’s not-for-profit work. 📍Abbotsford

​Festival of Football (Friday 26 – Sunday 28 Jun) Free World Cup action on the big screen plus family movies, live music and a rock climbing wall. No bookings, no alcohol. 📍Broadmeadows

🗓️ Melbourne SOUTH ➝ More south-side picks ​

​Mum & Son Adventure Weekend (Friday 26 – Sunday 28 Jun) A tech-free weekend for mums and sons aged 7-14 to reconnect, with just 16 family spots available. 📍Flinders

​Saltbush (Saturday 27 – Sunday 28 Jun) an immersive and interactive journey through Australia’s First Nations culture for Early Years to early primary school kids. 📍Narre Warren

🗓️ Melbourne EAST ➝ More east-side picks ​

​Children’s International Film Festival (Various sessions until Sunday 5 Jul) 30 kids’ films from around the world, programmed for ages 3-12, screening across three cinemas. 📍Elsternwick, Hawthorn + Belgrave

​Light to Night (Daily until Sunday 12 Jul) RONE’s first full-scale exhibition in three years headlines this month-long festival of art, food and after-dark performances. 📍Malvern East

🗓️ Melbourne WEST ➝ More west-side picks ​

​Firefly Night Market (Saturday 27 Jun) Over 70 stalls, street food, fire performers and live music light up Tarneit for one magical winter evening. Free entry. 📍Tarneit

​The Alphabet of Awesome Science (Sunday 28 Jun) 26 messy, explosive science demonstrations themed around the alphabet – expect dad jokes and plenty of chaos. 📍Werribee