'We feel the pressure juggling holiday logistics'

'We feel the pressure juggling holiday logistics'Image source, Amy NelsonImage caption, Amy Nelson (r) is self-employed, and can't take time off work to juggle childcare for her three childrenByJonathan Holmes & Tess De La MareWest of EnglandPublishedJust nowParents say the six-week summer holiday is forcing them to take annual leave, change working hours and spend hundreds of pounds on childcare, while families of SEND children face additional challenges.A survey by charity Pregnant Then Screwed found 89% of parents had used annual leave to cover holiday childcare, while a third had taken unpaid leave. Half said childcare costs affected their ability to afford essentials."The summer holiday juggle is becoming unmanageable for parents, and mums are consistently hit the hardest," said chief executive Rachel Grocott.Amy Nelson, from Marlborough in Wiltshire, who is self-employed and has three children, said: "Some mornings I will start work at 06:00, do a few hours before my husband leaves for work, and then when he gets back I'll carry on working from 19:30 until midnight."More from the WestDad who murdered four-week-old son jailed for 18 yearsPublished14 hours agoSlapping therapist jailed over death 'released early'Published9 hours agoFire at empty hotel 'inevitable' - council leaderPublished14 hours agoNelson works from home running her business which teaches wedding dance lessons to newlyweds, and summer is her busiest time. Her children are aged 15, 13 and eight years old."I don't want to put myself in the situation where I'm working and doing childcare at the same time - I'd let my customers down and it's not safe for the children," she said.She also criticised the perception that people who work at home can just "manage it all"."It unfairly targets mothers with the expectation that now we should be able to do two things at once and to the same standard,&...