Hey there, kiddos and parents! Summer is in full swing, and there’s still plenty of time to enjoy special moments together before the school year starts again. But what if your parents have to work? No worries! Many workplaces have special policies to help families, making it easier for parents to work and spend time with you. These family friendly workplace policies are designed to support parents and caregivers, ensuring they can be present for important moments and still fulfill their work responsibilities. Let's dive into some of these cool policies and explore how you can make the most of them during the rest of the summer. And if your parent's workplace doesn’t have these policies yet, we have tips on how they can ask for them!

Family friendly workplace policies explained

Family friendly workplace policies are all about making sure parents can manage their work while still being there for you. Here are some common ones:

1. Flexible working hours
   • Flexible working hours let parents adjust their start and end times to better fit family schedules. This means they might be able to start work earlier or later than usual, making room for family activities.
   • Summer Tip: With flexible hours, plan fun morning or evening activities like bike rides or ice cream outings when it’s cooler outside. This way, your parents can beat the heat and enjoy special moments with you.
2. Remote work options
   • Remote work allows parents to work from home, which means no commuting and more time at home with you. This can be especially great during the summer when you're on break from school.
   • Summer tip: Help your parents set up a cozy home office and create a fun, creative space nearby for yourself. You can do arts and crafts, read, or play quietly, and take breaks together for snacks or quick games.
3. Parental leave
   • Parental leave provides parents with extra time off to care for their children, which can be super helpful during the summer months. This leave can be used for vacations, special events or just more time at home.
   • Summer tip: Use parental leave to plan a mini family vacation or explore local parks and attractions. It’s a great opportunity to bond and make lasting memories.
4. Childcare assistance
   • Some workplaces offer on-site childcare or help pay for summer camps and programs. This makes it easier for parents to find safe and fun places for you to go while they work.
   • Summer tip: Look for exciting summer camps or programs that match your interests, whether it's sports, arts, science or nature. This way, you can have a blast while your parents work.

Making the most of family friendly policies

Now that you know about these awesome policies, here’s how you can make the most of them this summer:

1. Create a summer schedule
   • Having a plan helps everyone know what to expect each day. Sit down with your parents to map out work and playtime. This will help make room for fun activities and your parents' work responsibilities.
   • Tip: Include daily fun activities, mealtimes and quiet times when your parents need to focus on work. This way, everyone has something to look forward to.
2. Plan fun breaks
   • It's important for parents to take breaks during the workday, and you can help make these breaks enjoyable. Plan fun activities that can be done in a short amount of time.
   • Tip: Ideas include a 10-minute dance party, a short walk or a quick game. These breaks will refresh your parents and give you all a chance to have fun together.
3. Set goals together
   • setting goals can make summer more exciting and give everyone something to look forward to. Make a list of summer goals with your parents, like visiting the zoo or finishing a big puzzle.
   • Tip: Celebrate when you achieve these goals! It’s a great way to stay motivated and enjoy accomplishments together.

Asking for family friendly policies

If your parent’s workplace doesn’t have these policies yet, here’s how they can ask for them:

1. Research and prepare
   • Before asking for new policies, it’s helpful to have some information. Your parents can find out about successful family friendly policies at other companies to show their boss how beneficial they can be.
   • Tip: They can highlight how these policies help both employees and the company by increasing happiness and productivity. Happy workers are more productive workers!
2. Talk to Human Resources or Management
   • Your parents can set up a meeting with their HR department or manager to discuss their needs. Being prepared with examples and reasons can help make a strong case.
   • Tip: They can suggest starting with a trial period for flexible hours or remote work to show how it benefits everyone. This way, the company can see the positive impact without committing right away.
3. Gather support
   • Sometimes, it helps to show that many employees want the same changes. Your parents can talk to coworkers who might also benefit from these policies and ask them to join the conversation.
   • Tip: Strength in numbers can show how important these policies are to many families. A united group can make a more compelling argument.

Family friendly workplace policies can make a big difference in how much time parents can spend with their children, especially during the fun summer months. Whether your parents already have access to these policies or need to ask for them, there are plenty of ways to enjoy more family time together. So, get ready to make the most of the second half of summer with your family!

By learning about and utilizing family friendly workplace policies, we can make summer a season full of joy, adventure and cherished memories.

If you are an employee or employer interested in learning more about family friendly workplaces, get free resources at www.nmfamilyfriendlybusiness.org.