Juggling the daily workload is one thing, but two small words can send business owners into a spin: ‘school holidays’. With 2022 starting as an interrupted school year, many business owners feel that it has been a constant juggle with positive cases and classroom contacts on top of the usual school holiday apprehension.
The South Australian Business Chamber corporate members Kerryn and Jason Page started Quisk Design 15 years ago when Kerryn was pregnant with their first child. As the business grew, so did their kids.
“It is a challenge to find ‘quality’ time in holidays with the kids. Unlike other families with a parent at home or someone who can take annual leave from a job, our children need to ‘fit in’ with what we’re doing.
“It is hard when the kids return to school, and they need to write a ‘What I did in the school holidays?’ report. Without family support around the corner, it’s trying to find the balance of work and fun.
Kerryn says there is no right or wrong way to run a business and parent, just like there is no ‘rule book’ for parenting alone.
“For us, it’s always been about balance. The thing that ensures everything runs smoothly is that Jason and I are on the same page. We have shared values and goals for our business and our parenting. It’s not 50/50. It’s 100/100.”
The South Australian Business Chamber Executive Director, Membership and Enterprise Development David Slama (and Dad of three) says that immersing your kids in the family business is a great way to connect your business babies and your family babies.
“Your kids will learn more about what you do, immerse themselves in the fundamentals of running a business and what it means to be financially successful.
Kerryn agrees that bringing the kids into the business has its benefits for all family members.
“We’ve brought our kids to work to ‘upskill’ and learn new skills. They’ve made coffees, answered phones, helped our team, managed our database and even had fun playing with photoshop files (designing logos!).
“Our children have always been around us having our own business, so I think it’s important for them to see what that work looks like.”
David Slama says that the South Australian Business Chamber wants to help take some leg work out of arranging school holidays for business owners.
“The kids will want to spend some fun time with you too. So, if you’re a business owner and find yourself with some last-minute time to take your kids out for an afternoon of fun, we’ve got some exceptional family fun days on offer from our members.
Have you ever thought about being zen at the zoo or peaceful in the park? the South Australian Business Chamber member Zoos SA has created a new animal yoga trail for these school holidays. You can practice new animal yoga poses at Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park with the African Lion, Giraffe, Dingo or Aldabra Giant Tortoise. The bonus here is that the whole family can learn more about the animals along the way … who doesn’t love a bit of education by stealth?
You can even create your own animal yoga pose for the chance to win an exclusive private yoga class at the zoo and including breakfast. Zoos SA will judge these drawn or photographic entries after entries close on Sunday, 1 May 2022.
For something to get the heart rate pumping, sharpen your footy skills ready for the upcoming season with the South Australian Business Chamber corporate member AFL Max’s Crows Junior Max Academy. The Academy has sourced the best tips, tricks, skills and drills from some of the Adelaide Crows’ finest players. Maximise the fun these school holidays at AFL Max to play and improve your footy fundamentals for the big season ahead.
A final suggestion for serious family fun in complete style is the South Australian Business Chamber member Heli-Lunch. Not just for wineries and adults, this bespoke entertainment and dining experience will wow the whole family with chauffeured limousines, helicopter rides up and down the coast, and a dining experience to suit your family.
Kerryn from Quisk says that she certainly hasn’t thought of taking the kids up in a helicopter before, but it would be so much fun.
“I’ve always considered helicopter rides to be about flying over key landmarks … but to actually go somewhere for lunch … in a helicopter now that’s something kids would certainly write about in a school report!”
Book your school holiday experiences now:
