In the twelve years I’ve been a working parent I’ve tried every type of school holiday juggling known to parenthood. I’ve had teenagers looking after the kids in my home while I worked from the kitchen table. I’ve sent them to summer camp. I’ve involved Grandparents. Goodness, I’ve even got Dad involved n occasion (and we’re still married)! Before lockdown, we hired an au pair and this was probably the best solution for younger kids. However, now that they’re older, I felt that they needed a little bit of an adventure too – and one that involved me this time! I’m becoming acutely aware that those summers with them are actually very precious and they won’t last forever.
So this summer, I took a leap and combined a family holiday with work, staying with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law in their apartment in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. My two teenage kids came along, and while they hit the waves at surf school, I attempted to keep my work as a Brand Strategy Consultant running smoothly, relying heavily on Zoom and other digital tools.
Believe you me…it wasn’t without its challenges. Working from someone else’s home comes with its own set of obstacles. Have you ever tried to find a quiet space to jump on a call when everyone else is trying to enjoy their holiday? It’s a juggling act, for sure.
The key for me was finding a dedicated space to work. It wasn’t easy, but I carved out a corner in the apartment that became my office for those weeks. Reliable WiFi was a non-negotiable; I’m grateful that Las Palmas delivered on that front. But perhaps the hardest part was knowing when to switch off. How do you draw the line between work and leisure when the beach is calling your name, and your kids are waiting to share their surfing stories?
It took some time, but I eventually found my rhythm. I learned to set boundaries—both with my work and with my time. I made sure to stop when it was time to stop, resisting the temptation to check just one more email. I also (eventually!) managed to incorporate exercise into my daily routine, whether it was an early run before anyone else was awake, a speed walk along the beach in the evening or joining my kids in the water after a surf lesson.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. My teenagers started to miss their friends and the comforts of home, which made me wonder: Is the trade-off worth it? When you’re a parent, is the flexibility of working remotely worth the challenges of being away from home, especially with family in tow? Who gains, who pays the price and who will be left with fond memories and experiences that have made them grow? time will tell…but teenagers will not!
Would I/WE do it again?
From my point of view, absolutely. But it required a level of patience, discipline and adaptability that I hadn’t fully anticipated. I was reminded of how important it is to create a work environment that allows you to focus, even when you’re far from your usual routine. I was reminded just how fast my kids are becoming their own people and that I have to accept that they may not want the same kinds of adventure as me. I was reminded how much routine is actually at the centre of the rhythm of life.
So, I pose these questions to you: Would you consider taking your work on the road? Could you find the balance between work, life, and perhaps a little bit of adventure?
It’s an experience that’s not for everyone, but it’s one that taught me a lot about my own work habits, my need for routine, and the importance of flexibility. Maybe next summer, you’ll be writing a similar blog post from a different corner of the world. Would you be up for the challenge?
P.S. if you don’t already follow B is for Brand on Instagram, you can find a series of reels on our account called ‘Digital Nomad Diaries’ that shows a week in the life of my adventure!
