Some families are deliberately keeping their weekends free to reduce stress and recharge.
Deliberately keeping weekends free helps families rest, bond, and avoid overscheduling stress
The trend, called “empty weekend parenting”, encourages parents to clear their schedules rather than rushing children to multiple extra-curricular activities, birthday parties, and other commitments.
The idea is to maintain a low-stress environment after a busy week of school, work, and childcare, prioritising family bonding, rest, and spontaneous activities.
Colin Drury, a father of two, wrote in the I Paper: “We wanted their weekends to be filled with something those clubs don’t necessarily provide: new experiences, variety and spontaneity," adding that part of the appeal was having the occasional lie-in.
Drury said this approach has allowed his family to enjoy trips away, museum visits, woodland walks, bike rides, farm visits, and adventure playgrounds. But it also includes simpler activities.
He said: “Playing with cars on the living room floor, getting crafty with old toilet tube rolls, and having them do some weeding in the garden. And it has been fabulous".
While Drury’s children are now older (five and seven) and have developed interests like gymnastics, which occasionally fill Saturday mornings, he emphasised that empty weekends are especially useful for families with younger children.
Many parents report that deliberately keeping weekends free allows the whole family to recharge after hectic weeks.
Research by the University of Bath has found that participation in extra-curricular activities can boost confidence and social skills in children. However, overscheduling has also been linked to poorer mental health, highlighting the importance of balance.
Empty weekend parenting offers downtime, space for boredom, and a more manageable pace. Some families stick to one main activity per day to strike a healthy balance.
With many parents feeling burnt out, and trends like Pinterest’s slow motherhood and slow parenting on the rise, reserving even part of a weekend for rest can provide significant benefits.