Being a working parent is a logistical nightmare. Imagine if school holidays were something we looked forward to

‘I’d like to do less of the drudgery and more of the care for my kids,’ writes Emily Mulligan. Photograph: Davin G Photography/Getty Images

When my eldest started school I made the highly original discovery that the school day ended at 3pm. My work day did not. Since then, my life has been a logistical and psychological nightmare.

Before-school care, after-school care, activities, therapy, swimming, the dentist. I am bored just typing it out. And yet it needs to be organised, paid for, a new app downloaded for each activity, for two kids, five days a week, essentially for eternity. And don’t get me started on school holidays.