How to Survive Your Kids' Summer Vacation
One of the reasons you became a business owner, if you’re like me, was to have better work/life balance. Never is that more of a challenge than in the summer, when your kids are at home and you have to figure out how to work around their schedules. If you work from home, you’ve got the constant distraction of bickering, video games, and that dreaded declaration: “Mommmmm! I’m boooored!” If you work elsewhere, you have to arrange for a summer of camps and activities or else bring your work home with you to be near your kids. What’s a woman to do? First, take a deep breath. You’re not alone here. Second, start strategizing. You need to get work done. You want to spend time with your family. And your kids want to be entertained every second of the day. (well, we can’t please everyone, can we?) Let’s work on a plan that accomplishes as many of these goals as possible.
1. Be Willing to Be Flexible
If you’re open to not working quite as hard or your typical 9-5 hours this summer, you’ll be happier. While you will still get work done, you may have to shift your thinking about when that work happens. You might wake up early and spend a few hours working, or stay up after the kids go to bed. You’d be surprised how much you can get done with a quiet house.
2. Set Your Schedule
If you strive to spend time with your kids each day, dedicate part of the day as “don’t bug Mommy” time when you can work and the rest of the day as fun time. This way, your kids learn the boundaries, leave you alone (hopefully), and reap the reward when you’re free. Setting up a schedule also keeps you focused on one thing at a time: either work or kids; not both.
3. Get Help
That might be handing off projects to your employees at work. Or hiring a babysitter. You know what works for you, and there’s no shame in getting help. So ask for it!
4. Keep the Kids in Mind
You may think it’s wonderful that you can stay home with your kids, but how do they feel? They might be happier at a summer camp where they can make new friends and try enriching activities. Include all of your family in the plan for the summer and take their suggestions into consideration.
5. Get Out of the House
If your kids are old enough to leave home alone, consider working from the local coffee shop to get some distance and focus. Get what you need done and then head back, happy and with a caffeine buzz.
6. Schedule Your Own Vacation
There’s a reason so many people go on vacation in the summer: the kids are out of school, and the weather’s beautiful. You could probably stand a break from work, so start talking about where you can get some rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation with your clan. Summer doesn’t have to be the time you get nothing done. Simply get a plan, carve out time for both work and family, and you’ll manage that balance just fine.
How about you? How do you plan to survive your kids' summer vacation? Tell us in the comments!