In brief: Making summer holidays work as a single parent

This week, Kate is joined by Jo Thurston from Parent Talk to discuss why summer holidays can be so tricky for single parents and share some simple tips for making them more manageable and fun.

Released: 30 July 2025
Updated: 8 January 2026
19 MIN
#149
Coparenting

This week, Kate is joined by Jo Thurston from Parent Talk to discuss why summer holidays can be so tricky for single parents and share some simple tips for making them more manageable and fun.

Without the school routine and longer days in the sun, it’s an important time to create new memories and enjoy new activities with your children. However, summer as a single parent can be challenging when you’re doing all of this solo. It might involve more schedules, additional childcare and juggling high expectations. 

About the episode:

Kate and Jo start by explaining why summer holidays can be challenging for single parents, and when’s a good time to start planning them. There are also some tips on how not to over-plan! 

Here are some of the points they cover in this episode to help single parents this summer:

  • How to navigate holiday costs

  • Where you can look for affordable activities to fit your budget and available time

  • Communication tips with your co-parent

  • Staying flexible and willing to adjust your schedule

  • Why involving your children in holiday planning could be a good idea

About our guest:

Jo is a co-ordinator at Action for Children’s Parent Talk service, which offers free online advice for parents and carers of children aged 0-19, or up to 25 where a young person has special educational needs.

Its confidential 1:1 live chat service connects parents and carers directly to an experienced parenting coach for judgement-free practical advice and emotional support, while its online articles answer some of the most common parenting questions.

 Jo first joined Action for Children in 2018 as a Family Support worker in a Children’s Centre.

She has a background working in schools and pastoral care and has a particular interest in supporting families impacted by SEND._ _

More resources:

You can learn more about Action For Children and how they can help you on their website. For parenting advice, visit Parent Talk to explore their resources and have a one-to-one chat with a parenting coach. 

You can also book a 90-minute Separating With Children session with amicable to create a parenting plan for the summer holidays. 

We'd love to know how we can help you further. Share your questions on divorce, separation and co-parenting with us at hello@amicable.co.uk, through direct messages on Instagram or by starting a new forum thread on amicable’s advice forum. They might just be the topic of a future episode!

Thanks for listening - here’s 3 months of the amicable co-parenting app for free! Open this link on your phone, install the app and create your account. Once that’s done, select 'I have a promo code' when setting up your family, enter PODCAST, press ‘apply’ and enjoy staying organised together.

You can also get in touch with amicable for more information on the legal, financial and parenting aspects of separation.

Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert today. 

#Coparenting

Latest Episodes

Episode #201: You’re doing better than you think: helping children thrive through divorce
Coparenting
1 July 2026
45 MIN

You’re doing better than you think: helping children thrive through divorce

Supporting your children through separation goes so much further than one difficult conversation - but knowing how to keep showing up for them is something many parents struggle with.

#201
Episode #200: Best of: 200 episodes of The Divorce Podcast
Separation stories
24 June 2026
20 MIN

Best of: 200 episodes of The Divorce Podcast

200 episodes of honest, hopeful conversations about divorce – here are the moments that stayed with us.

#200
Episode #199: Divorcing dads: why separation hits men hard - and how to help
Emotional journey
17 June 2026
43 MIN

Divorcing dads: why separation hits men hard - and how to help

Divorce can hit men hard – and many dads withdraw just when they need people most. For divorcing dads, that isolation isn't only painful – it can be dangerous.

#199

Listen to The Divorce Podcast on your favourite platform