Summer presents a whole new set of organizing challenges for moms. The variety of camps, activities, sports, vacations, etc., seem to make the summer much more challenging in terms of getting into a routine with your kids.
What I like to do each spring is sit down and map out the entire summer on my big wall calendar. For some reason mapping it out on a monthly basis works better for me (only during the summer months though–I really have no explanation for that). Once everything is set in stone I will transfer it into my momAgenda so that I will have the schedule with me all the time.
One trick I like to use during the summer is, I really relax the rules. Whereas during the school year I am pretty firm about sticking to our commitments in terms of activities we have signed up for, in the summer I am more laid back. Don’t feel like going to water polo practice today? That’s ok with me. The summer, for me, is all about relaxing and enjoying my family. It’s not about working hard or being perfect.
How about you? What are your strategies for managing your time during the summer?
Like you, I usually sit down right after Spring Break and nail down our summer plans- sign up for camps, plan vacations, etc. This year we are definitely going with more of an “in the flow” style because my mom has cancer and we don’t know when she will need our help. I have to admit that my anxiety is creeping up without the planned out calendar, but sometimes things are out of our control and that’s okay.
So, I like that you talk about having the relaxed attitude. I like the sound of that… this summer we are… relaxing!
My family and I pick a theme for the summer to help me make scheduling decisions. If the activity doesn’t fit the theme, it doesn’t (usually) happen. For example, we were gone most of last summer. So this summer’s theme is “Tradition.” We’re planning to do our normal, traditional summer activities and not much more. Today I was looking longingly at whether to buy a zoo pass, but I nixed the idea because traditionally we only go to the zoo once each year. No need to add the pressure of making multiple trips because we invested in a pass! Other clients of mine have picked themes like “fun” “peaceful” and “adventure.”
Nina,
You just have to get the personal portfolio in raspberry back in stock. I’m desperate for one.
Denise
Denise, I am so sorry we are not getting the Rasberry back in stock. The Crimson and Storm Gray are really pretty though!! A lot of my friends have the Storm Gray and they love it. Again I am really sorry about the Rasberry. -Nina