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For kids, summer is typically a time of freedom and fun—yet for their working parents, it can be anything but.
New research from Bright Horizons, for instance, found that more than three-quarters of working parents said their ability to focus at work during the summertime is directly tied to their kids’ schedules. About one-third have to check out of work periodically to take care of their kids in the summer, and just as many are distracted and worried about their children while they’re working in the summer.
It’s a challenge Karishma Patel Buford knows well. As the mother of three young kids and the chief people officer at mental health solution provider Spring Health, she is accustomed to navigating the daily juggling act of giving her all to her organization and her family. For Buford, success—including in the hectic summer months—comes down to intentionally being present, both at home and at work, and prioritizing her mental health.
Buford—who previously held HR leadership roles at organizations including OppFi and Groupon—recently spoke to HR Executive about how employers can operationalize these lessons to better support their working parents, in the summer and beyond.
HR Executive: How have your identities as a parent
